Rosary Tips

1. You can pray the whole Rosary by just praying the decades. They take about 3 minutes each, so 5 decades x 3 minutes = 15 minutes!! Add the intro and finishing prayers later if you wish, but they are not required in order to fulfill Our Lady's requests or to gain indulgences.

2. Each decade is precious. For instance, pray the Our Father knowing clearly what you are saying (study the "Prayer" tab above).

3. When meditating on the mysteries, imagine that the Blessed Virgin Mary is guiding you through them, "holding your hand" as you view your life through the lens of these mysteries.

4. If you don't want to pray the whole Rosary in one sitting, carry a pocket Rosary with you and pray one decade at a time. 3-minute time pockets can be found abundantly in even the busiest of schedules.

5. End each decade with the Glory Be ("Glory be to the Father and the Son...") and the Fatima Prayer (Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins..).


Suggested Meditations on the Mysteries of the Rosary

If you want to focus on the formal "fruits," that's a good start, but not always necessary. One can go anyway with these mysteries, let the Spirit take you. What follows is where the Spirit has taken me lately (click on the title to learn the mysteries): 
Annunciation: Mary humbly accepts God's call, I try to see God's call in my own life. I try to see that God is all-powerful, that anything is possible with him.

Visitation: Sometimes I focus on Mary's journey itself, difficult and dangerous. I try to see where in my life I make great sacrifices of love for others. I also see the joy that should come from bringing Christ to others.

 Nativity: I see the power of God hidden in poverty and struggle. I try to see where I am attached to material things. I give thanks for the providence of God and trust in this providence.

 Presentation of the Lord:
  • I try to see the gift and power of being close to "religious practices." I see the value of the Sacraments and Magisterium of the Church. 
  • Also, I can think about the things that are necessary for salvation (i.e. the Sacraments, Commandments). These are what the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, gives for my sanctification that are not optional.
Finding of Jesus in the Temple:
  • I think of how Jesus said to his mother, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about my father's business?" Our "father's business" is what we should be all about too.
  • I try to think of the distractions in my life that steal the zeal from me. I pray that God instills me with his zeal.
  • Comparing to the second bullet in the previous mystery, this mystery encourages me to follow devotionals that are optional (i.e. Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Eucharistic Adoration). These optional devotionals also provide grace, especially the grace to follow the non-optional aspects of the faith.

 Agony in the Garden: Jesus had to go through hell for us because of our sin. What do I do wrong, past or present, that made him have to suffer so greatly? I ponder these sins. I also think of Jesus' words in the garden, "not my will but yours be done."

 Scouring: How do I scourge others.. verbally "lashing" at my kids, etc.. I also think about bad eating habits or sexual impurity.

 Crowning of Thorns: Following Christ closely will surely bring persecution and ridicule. I pray for courage.

 Carrying of the Cross: I ponder the necessary "crosses" I have to carry in life. I pray for a stronger back to carry these loads. I ponder the times I "fall" and have to get back up.

 Crucifixion: I give thanks for the sacrifice that is offered to the Father on my behalf. I give this sacrifice to the Father again, for all my shortcomings. I think of God's unfailing love for me, his covenant with me, sealed by the blood of the cross.

 Baptism of the Lord: Lately, I've been thinking about the only way to receive God.. that is through repentance. I see John the Baptist calling to me saying, "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is near to you!"

 Wedding Feast at Cana: I see Mary's intercession, especially in our marriage and family.

 Proclamation of the Kingdom: Sometimes I focus on the Biblical story when some people took the roof off of a house where Jesus was teaching in order to lower their crippled friend for healing (too crowded to get in from the door). Jesus both healed the man and forgave his sins, two things that God does. I see how I need to trust Jesus, that he will do the same for me. 

 Transfiguration: I see my need to "get down from the the mountain," to get to work at building the kingdom. Peter, upon seeing the divinity of the Lord, wanted to pitch a tent and chill there with Jesus forever. But this "beatific vision" will only occur when we're in heaven. While on earth, we need to engage in the battle, even if this means we have to be uncomfortable. 

 Institution of the Eucharist: I imagine myself at the Last Supper. I receive the body and blood at the table. I imagine some of the effects of this (i.e. forgiveness of my sins, union with Christ, union with the Church). I give thanks that Christ would wish to be so close to me.



 Resurrection: My faith is strengthened, Jesus is the Son of God. "Jesus, I trust in you."

 Ascension: Most of the time, I ponder heaven. My hope is increased. Sometimes I think of what Jesus left us, the Sacraments and Holy Spirit. I think of his final words, "..preach the Gospel. Those who believe will be saved, those who don't will be condemned."

 Descent of the Holy Spirit: I ponder the gift of the Holy Spirit and my need for him. I ask that the Spirit be present in my decisions and actions.

 Assumption of Mary: I see God placing Mary on a pedestal for all generations to venerate her. I see the need for her in my life. I seek her intercession for various things.

 Crowning of Mary: All the elect will receive a "crown" in heaven. I humbly hope for and ponder the eternal reward that will be given to me for following Christ in my earthly life. 
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