A Few Thoughts About The Rosary

On this Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary, I'd like to say a few things about this beautiful prayer.

There are some people who say that praying the Rosary is old-fashioned.
Well, so is eating!
There are, and have always been, some people who say that praying the Rosary
is only for the unlearned.  One way to respond is with this
story , which I've loved this story for years.
(I've posted this link before, in at least one of my other blogs.)


For years after my conversion to Catholicism (I am a Jewish convert) I felt that there
was too great a gap between the Fifth Joyful Mystery and the First Sorrowful Mystery.
I was therefore delighted, absolutely delighted, when Pope John Paul the Great added
the Luminous Mysterious.


I have time enough every day to pray the Rosary five times.  First, I pray the Mysteries
recommended for that day,  for the intentions of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Later, I pray the Joyful Mysteries, for the protection of the unborn.   The next set,
the Luminous Mysteries, I offer for priests, living and deceased.
You may think that I pray the Sorrowful Mysteries for the Souls in Purgatory, but, no.
These Mysteries are for those who are suffering and struggling here on Earth.  It's a
long list, and I always add, "and those most in need." That way, nobody is left out.
And what about the Souls in Purgatory?  For them, I offer the Glorious Mysteries,
"that they may soon be among the Saints in glory."


There are so many ways to pray the Rosary.  
1: With a book or website of Rosary meditations.
2: With a Scriptural Rosary book or website, one verse for each bead.
3: By adding one or more words to the Hail Mary. For example,
"And blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus, born in poverty."
4: While watching one of the televised Rosary programs on EWTN.
(My personal favorite is The Holy Land Rosary with Fr. Mitch Pacwa. )
5: Before the Blessed Sacrament.
6: While doing the housework, thus uniting my housework to Our Lady's.
Believe me, she did housework, and she didn't have the modern appliances
we have nowadays.


Reasons for praying the Rosary:
It honors Mary, and Jesus is always pleased when we honor His Mother.
It helps us to focus on the lives of Jesus and Mary.
It helps us to increase in grace.
And don't forget, it drives Satan up the wall!