What is the Rosary?

The Rosary is a prayer form widely used among Catholics worldwide. It uses a string of beads to help the petitioner to keep track of the prayers. 

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Isn't the Rosary a boring way to pray?

One of the criticisms of praying the Rosary or any other chaplet (like the Divine Mercy or the Chaplet of St. Michael the Archangel) is that the repetitious prayers are dull and empty. In Matthew 6:7, Jesus admonishes His disciples, "When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words." 

 

The key words in this admonition are "empty phrases." Any form of prayer can become empty phrases if we are not actively engaged with the Lord in spirit while praying. In my experience, I get out of prayer what I put into it. We must strive to bring our intentions to the Lord with sincerity, gratitude, and humility, submitting everything to God's will.

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Jesus Himself provides an example of fully engaged repetitious prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane:

 

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial;[e] the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. (Matthew 26:36-44)

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Persistence in Prayer

Jesus told this parable in Luke 11:5-10 - And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’ And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs. “So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

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The lesson here is that prayer is never "one and done." We are encouraged to bring our intentions to the Lord over and over! Be persistent--the Lord will answer! The answer may not be exactly what you expect, but it may well be better than you imagine. 

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Praying the Rosary with Scripture

Although certain prayers are repeated during the Rosary and other chaplets, the Rosary is not a mantra or empty form of prayer. Rather, it is designed to focus us on the Life of Christ through the 20 Mysteries (5 Joyful Mysteries, 5 Sorrowful Mysteries, 5 Glorious Mysteries, and 5 Luminous Mysteries).

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Please download the guides I have prepared to help you find the scriptural references for the mysteries. Read along in your Bible as you pray the Rosary. Meditate on the episodes in the life of Christ, and think about their lessons for your own life. Keep a list of intentions, and meditate on them as you pray. I think you'll find that the Holy Rosary fosters peace in your spirit and brings you closer to God.

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