Can You Pray the Rosary Without the Mysteries?

[Ave Maria]

Is it worthwhile to recite the rosary without meditating on the mysteries? I ask because I don't really even have the whole rosary memorized yet, much less the mysteries.

 

[PetertheRock]

Someone else could answer this better than me but I would say that saying any part of the rosary is better then none at all. I read once that there is no wrong way to say the rosary.

 

[Ave Maria]

Someone else could answer this better than me but I would say that saying any part of the rosary is better then none at all. I read once that there is no wrong way to say the rosary.

I have also heard that.

 

[faerieevaH]

I believe that if you do that, it's technically not called 'the rosary', but is and remains of course a great devotional practice. I myself often pray the rosary without meditating the mysteries in my 'chain of friends'. I will use the rosary to guide me through the same prayers, and in each prayer I ask for a special favour for a different friend of mine.

 

[Ave Maria]

I just recited the rosary while meditating on the mysteries but I used a cheat sheet. It was very spirtually fulfilling.

 

[Gwendolyn]

You don't have to memorise them, Holly - there are great sites that give you things to think about for each Rosary bead. I have printed some off and made myself a booklet, and each time I say my Rosary, I read the things to help guide me through my meditation. The ones I use are fairly decent, and I got them from this site: http://www.rosary-center.org/howto.htm . It has great explanations and things to help you pray the Rosary without distractions.

 

[PetertheRock]

I actually cheat. I have a CD with all the mysteries including the Luminous mysteries

I just don't know what days I should say which mystery so I just pick one usually

 

[Ave Maria]

You don't have to memorise them, Holly - there are great sites that give you things to think about for each Rosary bead. I have printed some off and made myself a booklet, and each time I say my Rosary, I read the things to help guide me through my meditation. The ones I use are fairly decent, and I got them from this site: http://www.rosary-center.org/howto.htm . It has great explanations and things to help you pray the Rosary without distractions.

Cool . I already had that site bookmarked btw. But thank you regardless!

 

[Benedicta00]

Is it worthwhile to recite the rosary without meditating on the mysteries? I ask because I don't really even have the whole rosary memorized yet, much less the mysteries.

While you are learning, just try to at least call to mind the mysteries. There are many ‘how to’s” out there free, you can find to help you.

Fr. Robert Fox says, The Rosary with out meditation is like a corpus. The mediation is what gives life to the rosary.

Jesus and Mary know your heart though and the fact that you are trying to pray pleases them, they will give you the grace to learn it but beware the enemy will do everything and anything to discourage you because he does not want you praying the most powerful prayer we have because of the merits and graces it gains.

When people start praying it, their lives really do change.

 

[D'Ann]

I actually cheat. I have a CD with all the mysteries including the Luminous mysteries

I just don't know what days I should say which mystery so I just pick one usually

Hi Darryl,

I think that I may be able to help you out here...

Joyful Mysteries should be prayed on Monday and Saturday.

Mysteries of Light should be prayed on Thursday (I believe, I think, I hope that this light mystery is the same as the Luminous mysteries... if I'm wrong... someone please correct me).

Sorrowful Mysteries should be prayed on Tuesday and Friday

Glorious Mysteries should be prayed on Wednesday and on Sunday

I hope this is helpful.

Debbie

 

[Benedicta00]

Someone else could answer this better than me but I would say that saying any part of the rosary is better then none at all. I read once that there is no wrong way to say the rosary.

Yes, it's better to pray one mystery contemplatively than 15 rattled off.

 

[D'Ann]

Hi Holly,

Don't give up praying the Rosary. At first it is difficult to "concentrate" on the different mysteries... what I have found to help me is to look at the picture and look at the words written regarding the mystery and I pray the "Hail Marys". Don't worry about getting it perfectly... relax and smile and know that your Rosary is being heard in heaven by Mary and Jesus and the Saints... keep on going and eventully you'll get it and it will click. I struggled at first too... but I can sincerely say... it all does work together.

God's Peace,

Debbie

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

Prayer is always worthwhile.

 

[lonnienord]

When teaching new people to pray the rosary i suggest praying it daily for a month using a book. Announce eacy mystery but do not worry about meditating on it.

After a month you will probably have the prayers memorized now is the time to start meditating on the mysteries. There are several helpful ways. The one i like best is the few words after JESUS that center on the mystery being meditated on like: Hail Mary, full of grace, the LORD is with you, blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb JESUS announced to you by an Angel. Holy Mary mother of GOD pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. amen

I think this is one of the ways our late Great Pope John Paul mentioned in his enclical about the rosary in which he introduced the mysteries of light. That by the way is a great enclycal and a fairly easy read. I'll try to look it up and let you know where you can find it on the net

meditation will happen. and you will find out how very rich the Rosary is!!

 

[lonnienord]

here it is: Read this: http://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP2ROSAR.HTM

 

[Ave Maria]

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[Freedom&Light]

Holly-

Have you seen virtualrosary.com ? It was the first tool I used that helped me really meditate on the mysteries. And, it prompts you to do it everyday when you turn on your computer. I love it.

 

[Ave Maria]

Holly-

Have you seen virtualrosary.com ? It was the first tool I used that helped me really meditate on the mysteries. And, it prompts you to do it everyday when you turn on your computer. I love it.

Yeah I think I have seen it.

 

[Papist]

I carry my rosary in my pocket and recite bits of it -- as much as I have time for -- through the day, as I go through my daily chores. I might get through 3 Hail Marys, or an Our Father, while waiting in a queue or shopping and looking at the shelves.

 

[tdcharles]

Is it worthwhile to recite the rosary without meditating on the mysteries? I ask because I don't really even have the whole rosary memorized yet, much less the mysteries.

You only have to memorize the Hail Mary.

This is what I do, I've found this to be very effective. When you're at the mystery actually read the scriptural reference, don't simply announce the mystery. Then contemplate over it for about 1 minute. Say the Our Father without meditating on the mystery. Then while saying the Hail Maries close your eyes and think about the mystery you just read.