Lil Red Posted July 28, 2008 Posted July 28, 2008 [quote name='StColette' post='1610514' date='Jul 28 2008, 08:38 AM']I would put it lower than third, not to be ranking things, but Eucharistic Adoration, in my opinion, is above the Rosary. The Church repeatedly calls us to many different devotions and does so because each devotion has its own spirituality to it. The Church, Our Lady, Our Lord, and many Saints and Popes have called for a strong devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. Now, this is the devotion that I feel most called toward. I mean I even write the Adoration Newsletter for the parish that I work for. Eucharistic Adoration is where my heart likes to abide. And just like the Rosary anyone has the ability pray before the Blessed Sacrament (given they have Adoration near them). But for many Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is not where they feel called. They may feel more called to the Rosary or to the Liturgy of the Hours.[/quote]+J.M.J.+ lol, yeah, it's all to me. Adoration is another thing that has taken "practice" for me - meaning that when i first started to go, it was really "weird" to me. but now i have a regular hour every week and i love it! [quote name='StColette' post='1610514' date='Jul 28 2008, 08:38 AM']If you look into the Eastern Catholic Churches they have many devotions that we do not have, and they are all very beautiful. I know many very holy Eastern Catholics that do not share the Latin Rites devotion to the Rosary. It in no way makes them any less Catholic and I don't think we should require or demand it of them to share our devotions. They would not do that to us.[/quote] very good point! [quote name='StColette' post='1610514' date='Jul 28 2008, 08:38 AM']I think it is also helpful to keep in mind that it is about quality not quantity. I know many Catholics who become scrupulous over the fact that they are not praying enough, ie not saying the Rosary, going to Adoration, and praying the Liturgy of the Hours all in one day. We must keep in mind the vocation of each person. A person who is in a contemplative order is going to have a lot more time to pray then say a busy mom with 9 kids. Each of us are called to be holy but this does not mean it is accomplished through the same means.[/quote]very true! it is really hard on the weekends for me to keep to the LOTH with a little one around. sometimes i just struggle through and it's not very 'fruitful' (it seems), other times, i just try to pray a lot during the day (short prayers). [quote name='StColette' post='1610514' date='Jul 28 2008, 08:38 AM']We must also keep in mind that those who came before the Rosary found ways to honor Mary and found ways to lead holy lives and be devoted to Mary.[/quote] yup!
johnnydigit Posted July 28, 2008 Posted July 28, 2008 the most powerful part of the Rosary i think are the mysteries. they make you meditate on the Gospel, since it has been called "the prayer of the Gospel". i have been taken to new heights in this way, and can visualize each scene as if watching the Passion movie. the more you read and memorize Scripture, the more material you have to mediate on and some sessions can go on for many hours. in this way, many gaps are filled in and many inspirations can come about. there is enough material to keep you contemplating for many lifetimes. the Chaplet of Divine Mercy is great, but i think the Rosary is the "next level" and more "advanced" for mainly the above reasons. it is more conducive to taking you much deeper spiritually, so i suggest to those who aren't "feeling it", to challenge yourself and kick it up a notch. it's been called the most powerful weapon we have, a holy sword sheathed on your left side, the prayer of the Gospel, Our Lady's gift to us and our gift back to her as roses, Our Lady's Psalter, the anti-road-rage pill, the anti-stress pill, etc. =D ======== St. Louis De Montfort (+1710): “Our Lady’s Psalter (or the Rosary made up of the Our Father and Hail Mary) is the direct work of the Blessed Trinity and was not made through a human instrument.” (Secret of the Rosary, p. 25) St. Louis De Montfort (c. +1710): “Blessed Alan De La Roche says that a nun who always had a great devotion to the Holy Rosary appeared after death to one of her sisters in religion and said to her: ‘If I were allowed to go back into my body, to have the chance of saying just one single Hail Mary – even if I said it quickly and without fervor – I would gladly go through the sufferings that I endured during my last illness all over again, in order to gain the merit of this prayer.” (The Secret of the Rosary, pp. 49-50) St. Louis De Montfort (+1710): “The chronicles of Saint Francis tell of a young friar who had the praiseworthy habit of saying the Crown of Our Lady (the Rosary) every day before dinner. One day for some reason or other he did not manage to say it. The refectory bell had already been rung when he asked the Superior to allow him to say it before coming to the table, and having obtained permission he withdrew to his cell to pray. After he had been gone a long time the Superior sent another Friar to fetch him, and he found him in his room bathed in a heavenly light facing Our Lady who had two angels with her. Beautiful roses kept issuing from his mouth at each Hail Mary; the angels took them one by one, placing them on Our Lady’s head, and she smilingly accepted them. Finally two other friars who had been sent to find out what happened to the first two saw the same lovely scene, and Our Lady did not go away until the whole Rosary had been said.” (The Secret of the Rosary, p. 26)
Deb Posted July 28, 2008 Posted July 28, 2008 It took me almost a year to be able to actually pray the Rosary and concentrate on the mysteries and also find a lot of contemplation in it. It just doesn't feel right if I let a day go without praying the Rosary. I read once that it is God who urges us to prayer and the Holy Spirit who helps us, so, many are drawn to the Rosary and many are drawn to other prayers. I do believe that praying the Rosary however, brings much grace. Here are other reasons: [b]The Fifteen Promises of Mary to Christians Who Recite the Rosary[/b] [list] [*]Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the rosary, shall receive signal graces. [*]I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the rosary. [*]The rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies. [*]It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the heart of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means. [*]The soul which recommend itself to me by the recitation of the rosary, shall not perish. [*]Whoever shall recite the rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not by an unprovided death; if he be just he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life. [*]Whoever shall have a true devotion for the rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church. [*]Those who are faithful to recite the rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plenitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise. [*]I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the rosary. [*]The faithful children of the rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven. [*]You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the rosary. [*]All those who propagate the holy rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities. [*]I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death. [*]All who recite the rosary are my son, and brothers of my only son Jesus Christ. [*]Devotion of my rosary is a great sign of predestination. [/list][indent](Given to St. Dominic and Blessed Alan) Imprimatur: Patrick J. Hayes DD Archbishop of New York)[/indent]<A name=why>[b]WHY the Daily Rosary?[/b] [list] [*]Our Lady has 117 titles. She selected this title at Fatima: "I am the Lady of the Rosary." [*]St. Francis de Sales said the greatest method of praying IS- Pray the Rosary. [*]St. Thomas Aquinas preached 40 straight days in Rome Italy on just the Hail Mary. [*]St. John Vianney, patron of priest, was seldom seen without a rosary in his hand. [*]"The rosary is the scourge of the devil" -- Pope Adrian VI [*]"The rosary is a treasure of graces" -- Pope Paul V [*]Padre Pio the stigmatic priest said: "The Rosary is THE WEAPON" [*]Pope Leo XIII wrote 9 encyclicals on the rosary. [*]Pope John XXIII spoke 38 times about our Lady and the Rosary. he prayed 15 decades daily. [*]St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort wrote: "The rosary is the most powerful weapon to touch the Heart of Jesus, Our Redeemer, who so loves His Mother." [/list]One rosary prayed with the heart is worth more than many just recited.
johnnydigit Posted July 28, 2008 Posted July 28, 2008 (edited) [quote name='Deb' post='1610624' date='Jul 28 2008, 11:09 AM'][*]Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the rosary, shall receive signal graces.[/quote] what's a "signal grace"? google is my friend. "Yes a signal grace is a "very extraordinary grace or gift." But from my experience, it is more. A signal grace is a physical manifestation of grace - a signal or sign that we might actually feel emotionally. WE NOTICE IT. " "The traditional understanding of a "signal" grace is one that can be known and seen, noticable most often by more witnesses than the individual soul on whom the grace is bestowed. A perfect example would be roses from St. Theresa. " "What is a Signal Grace? Signal Graces are signs sent by God to help us make the right decisions in life. Moses saw a burning bush as a sign from God, and other people received signs from God daily. Signal graces usually come about as subtle hints to help keep us moving in the right direction - these signs are truly gifts from God. Remember - there is no such thing as a coincidence, everything happens for a reason! By praying the rosary you will be more conscious of the way that God tries to help you and speak to you every day." Edited July 28, 2008 by johnnydigit
StColette Posted July 28, 2008 Posted July 28, 2008 I want to add that while the promises of the Rosary are wonderful we should keep in mind why we are praying the Rosary. Are we praying the Rosary because of the promises? Or are we praying the Rosary for spiritual growth despite the promises? The same can be said for many devotions such as the Brown Scapular. The Promises are wonderful and beautiful, but they should not be our main driving force for praying the Rosary. We should pray for love of Mary and for above all for love of God, despite what promises accompany certain prayers. I say this only because I've known many people to become so fixated on what they get out of having certain devotions, ie the Promises of the Rosary or the Promise Brown Scapular.
lilac_angel Posted July 28, 2008 Posted July 28, 2008 (edited) [quote name='johnnydigit' post='1610642' date='Jul 28 2008, 12:44 PM']"The traditional understanding of a "signal" grace is one that can be known and seen, noticable most often by more witnesses than the individual soul on whom the grace is bestowed. A perfect example would be roses from St. Theresa. " "What is a Signal Grace? Signal Graces are signs sent by God to help us make the right decisions in life. Moses saw a burning bush as a sign from God, and other people received signs from God daily. Signal graces usually come about as subtle hints to help keep us moving in the right direction - these signs are truly gifts from God. Remember - there is no such thing as a coincidence, everything happens for a reason! By praying the rosary you will be more conscious of the way that God tries to help you and speak to you every day."[/quote] Awesome... [quote]the more you read and memorize Scripture, the more material you have to mediate on and some sessions can go on for many hours. in this way, many gaps are filled in and many inspirations can come about. there is enough material to keep you contemplating for many lifetimes.[/quote] ...nice! I must admit I haven't broken out the Bible itself for solid spiritual reading in a while. This gives me much incentive. I think the Rosary and Adoration can even go hand in hand as devotions. Both speed us closer to God and, I think, give us blessings we can't even comprehend as temporal beings. I believe there's a plenary indulgence attached to finishing a complete 3 mystery Rosary (JPII said that we could still consider 3 mysteries one full Rosary) in front of the Blessed Sacrament. I.e. we could pray the first two rosaries at home, and the third, if we pray it during Adoration, we get a plenary indulgence if we fulfill the other usual obligations (Confession, Communion, prayer for the Pope's intentions in the same week)! Edited July 28, 2008 by lilac_angel
Deb Posted July 28, 2008 Posted July 28, 2008 [quote name='StColette' post='1610649' date='Jul 28 2008, 01:55 PM']I want to add that while the promises of the Rosary are wonderful we should keep in mind why we are praying the Rosary. Are we praying the Rosary because of the promises? Or are we praying the Rosary for spiritual growth despite the promises? The same can be said for many devotions such as the Brown Scapular. The Promises are wonderful and beautiful, but they should not be our main driving force for praying the Rosary. We should pray for love of Mary and for above all for love of God, despite what promises accompany certain prayers. I say this only because I've known many people to become so fixated on what they get out of having certain devotions, ie the Promises of the Rosary or the Promise Brown Scapular.[/quote] Actually, I never even knew there were promises for praying the Rosary until today when I was reading up on the Rosary. I started praying it because Our Lady in Medjugorje has repeatedly asked all to pray it every day. So, I do. I am also enrolled and wear a brown Scapular as a reminder of Our Lady of Carmel. I am not sure what promises go with that but, now I will have to check that out too. My sis just made her three year promises as a third order Carmelite and we both try to go to Mass at the convent once a week. Pray to the Lord to draw you to what he would have you do for him and he will. I guess I should go look up indulgences too because I that term comes up lots of places but, I don't really know what that means. So much to learn.
StColette Posted July 28, 2008 Posted July 28, 2008 [quote name='Deb' post='1610658' date='Jul 28 2008, 02:04 PM']Actually, I never even knew there were promises for praying the Rosary until today when I was reading up on the Rosary.[/quote] lol I wasn't directing that at you I just know some people get very fixed on those promises and that becomes their driving force for the Rosary rather than out of love and devotion.
lilac_angel Posted July 28, 2008 Posted July 28, 2008 [quote name='StColette' post='1610649' date='Jul 28 2008, 12:55 PM']I want to add that while the promises of the Rosary are wonderful we should keep in mind why we are praying the Rosary. Are we praying the Rosary because of the promises? Or are we praying the Rosary for spiritual growth despite the promises? The same can be said for many devotions such as the Brown Scapular. The Promises are wonderful and beautiful, but they should not be our main driving force for praying the Rosary. We should pray for love of Mary and for above all for love of God, despite what promises accompany certain prayers. I say this only because I've known many people to become so fixated on what they get out of having certain devotions, ie the Promises of the Rosary or the Promise Brown Scapular.[/quote] I pray the Rosary daily because I'm enrolled in the brown scapular, and it's one of my duties that I signed up for because I realized the importance of the Rosary. The Promises are lovely, but they aren't the primary reason I pray it by any means. I enrolled in the fivefold without even remembering the Promises until I was later reminded. However, I still see no problem with finding them utterly amazing and wondering why more aren't pulled to trying to pray the Rosary more due to Promises. One of the main things we get from the Promises is closer to God, which is what we all want, and it's what God wants us to want. It's great that we can achieve that through a beautiful devotion like the Rosary. The Rosary can help strengthen our faith. Not everyone starts out with a ton of graces; some would do well with some consolations before they can progress, and if the Promises promise an great increase in graces, including that of faith and the main Christian virtues, then that is something to rejoice about.
Lil Red Posted July 28, 2008 Posted July 28, 2008 [quote name='StColette' post='1610649' date='Jul 28 2008, 11:55 AM']I want to add that while the promises of the Rosary are wonderful we should keep in mind why we are praying the Rosary. Are we praying the Rosary because of the promises? Or are we praying the Rosary for spiritual growth despite the promises? The same can be said for many devotions such as the Brown Scapular. The Promises are wonderful and beautiful, but they should not be our main driving force for praying the Rosary. We should pray for love of Mary and for above all for love of God, despite what promises accompany certain prayers. I say this only because I've known many people to become so fixated on what they get out of having certain devotions, ie the Promises of the Rosary or the Promise Brown Scapular.[/quote] +J.M.J.+ good point
lilac_angel Posted July 28, 2008 Posted July 28, 2008 (edited) [quote]lol I wasn't directing that at you I just know some people get very fixed on those promises and that becomes their driving force for the Rosary rather than out of love and devotion.[/quote] I hope you didn't assume because I excitedly pointed out the promises earlier on that that was the only reason why I prayed them and that I don't have a love or devotion to the Rosary. I don't know anyone, personally, who does that, so I guess I find it a bit surprising that someone would ever think that. Edited July 28, 2008 by lilac_angel
Deb Posted July 28, 2008 Posted July 28, 2008 [quote name='StColette' post='1610670' date='Jul 28 2008, 02:16 PM']lol I wasn't directing that at you I just know some people get very fixed on those promises and that becomes their driving force for the Rosary rather than out of love and devotion.[/quote] No problem. I do think that all should remember that promises made for any type of prayer all came through divine revelation. I believe in many of those that came through the saints but, you are correct. One should only be praying anything out of a love of God and a desire to grow closer to him through prayer.
lilac_angel Posted July 28, 2008 Posted July 28, 2008 [quote]spiritual growth despite the Promises[/quote] Most of the Promises are focused on spiritual growth, so it kind of goes hand in hand. Those are the ones I am concentrated on, anyway.
Lil Red Posted July 28, 2008 Posted July 28, 2008 [quote name='lilac_angel' post='1610679' date='Jul 28 2008, 12:27 PM']so I guess I find it a bit surprising that someone would ever think that. [/quote]+J.M.J.+ a scrupulous person probably does. and honestly, i find it really hard to believe that there is an argument over what prayer is better than another! (besides Mass, and LOTH) any prayer that draws you deeper into conformity of God's will is a wonderful thing! some are great at off-the-cuff spontaneous prayer, some are great at rote prayer (like the rosary), some are great at just sitting and listening to God in Adoration. heck, some people are great at all of it! (i wish i was that person!) anyway, that's just my (un-informed) two cents about this. if you pray the rosary, great! if you pray LOTH, great! if you pray the Divine Mercy, great! if you go to Adoration, great! It's all in my book!
Guest savienu Posted July 28, 2008 Posted July 28, 2008 [quote name='MissyP89' post='1609401' date='Jul 26 2008, 06:57 PM']Some people might not be called to it; like some are called to the priesthood or consecrated life, it's not a call that all receive. I'm not particularly devoted to the rosary, though I do love our Mother. "My" devotion is to the Divine Mercy. It was something that Jesus used very early on to bring me closer to Him. YMMV.[/quote] I LOVE the divine mercy chaplet, and like you it was something I prayed early on in my return to the Church. Frankly, in the beginning I just found it easier. I've also read some of Sr. Faustina's diary, and love the insights it brings. As far as the rosary, I try to pray it, but I admit, it's TOUGH. I have fallen asleep praying it before, and I have a hard time really meditating on the mysteries, so it ends up becoming just a lot of repetition. I do see the value of it, though, and I pray for the grace to get better at praying it consistently.
Lil Red Posted July 28, 2008 Posted July 28, 2008 [quote name='Deb' post='1610682' date='Jul 28 2008, 12:29 PM']No problem. I do think that all should remember that promises made for any type of prayer all came through divine revelation. I believe in many of those that came through the saints but, you are correct. One should only be praying anything out of a love of God and a desire to grow closer to him through prayer.[/quote] +J.M.J.+ as far as i know, anything revealed to saints is private revelation, and as such, the faithful are not required to believe in it or pray it. st. colette will correct me, right??
lilac_angel Posted July 28, 2008 Posted July 28, 2008 [quote name='Lil Red' post='1610686' date='Jul 28 2008, 01:31 PM']+J.M.J.+ a scrupulous person probably does. and honestly, i find it really hard to believe that there is an argument over what prayer is better than another! (besides Mass, and LOTH) any prayer that draws you deeper into conformity of God's will is a wonderful thing! some are great at off-the-cuff spontaneous prayer, some are great at rote prayer (like the rosary), some are great at just sitting and listening to God in Adoration. heck, some people are great at all of it! (i wish i was that person!) anyway, that's just my (un-informed) two cents about this. if you pray the rosary, great! if you pray LOTH, great! if you pray the Divine Mercy, great! if you go to Adoration, great! It's all in my book! [/quote] I meant I found it a bit surprising that someone would ever focus on only the Promises like that. I consider myself quite scrupulous, though not perfect by any means. I've never argued that one prayer was better than any other! I love Adoration, I love the Rosary, Divine Mercy, LOTH. I'm glad we have so many options The ones I'm currently the most devoted to are the Rosary and Adoration, but I said a Divine Mercy last night.
Lil Red Posted July 28, 2008 Posted July 28, 2008 [quote name='savienu' post='1610688' date='Jul 28 2008, 12:31 PM']I do see the value of it, though, and I pray for the grace to get better at praying it consistently.[/quote] +J.M.J.+ that's awesome! do you have a meditation book that would help you? I have one by Amy Welborn, you might like it. [url="http://www.amazon.com/Praying-Rosary-Luminous-Sorrowful-Mysteries/dp/1592761518/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217270121&sr=1-1"]here it is on amazon.com[/url] btw, welcome to phatmass!
Lil Red Posted July 28, 2008 Posted July 28, 2008 [quote name='lilac_angel' post='1610693' date='Jul 28 2008, 12:35 PM']I've never argued that one prayer was better than any other! I love Adoration, I love the Rosary, Divine Mercy, LOTH. I'm glad we have so many options The ones I'm currently the most devoted to are the Rosary and Adoration, but I said a Divine Mercy last night.[/quote] +J.M.J.+ sorry, i know you didn't. i was just saying, in general tone of the thread. you are totally right about the options! that's what is so great about being a Catholic!! we have so many ways to go and get deeper with God. lol, i go in cycles too, for awhile, i was doing Divine Mercy every day at 3 p.m., but now i'm doing LOTH (daily) and the rosary (daily) and then Adoration i do once a week.
StColette Posted July 28, 2008 Posted July 28, 2008 [quote name='lilac_angel' post='1610676' date='Jul 28 2008, 02:24 PM']However, I still see no problem with finding them utterly amazing and wondering why more aren't pulled to trying to pray the Rosary more due to Promises.[/quote] I did not say that one could not find them amazing In fact, I acknowledged them as both wonderful and beautiful. As for the second part "wondering why more aren't pulled to trying to pray the Rosary more due to the Promises", I believe this could cause a fixation on what one is getting out of the prayer instead of what the prayer is supposed to be for. [quote]One of the main things we get from the Promises is closer to God, which is what we all want, and it's what God wants us to want. It's great that we can achieve that through a beautiful devotion like the Rosary. The Rosary can help strengthen our faith. Not everyone starts out with a ton of graces; some would do well with some consolations before they can progress, and if the Promises promise an great increase in graces, including that of faith and the main Christian virtues, then that is something to rejoice about.[/quote] Again, the Promises are beautiful and wonderful and are a loving thing to be bestowed upon those who pray the Rosary. I merely cautioned the over fixation on the Promises because some people can be led into praying for the sole purpose of the Promises rather than for the benefit of their soul. And, yes the Promises do bring us closer to God, but as I've said I have know some who fixated so much upon the Promises or indulgences that their intentions became warped. Does that make sense? Many of us in the secular society can often fall into the trap of "what can I get out of this?" and that should never be our driving force for prayer of any kind. We should pray not because of what we get out of it, even if it does bring us closer to God, but because God is worthy of our praise. Many of the souls who suffered from the Dark Night of the Soul received zero consolation during prayer sometimes for a great number of years (30+) but they continued to pray because they know it to be pleasing to God. They felt as if God had completely abandoned them and they did not feel drawn closer to God, but they continued to pray despite this. Now, while the Dark Night is a form of spiritual growth and contemplation that some will encounter, I believe it gives a good example of how we are to pray. We are to pray regardless of any consolation that we receive.
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