Praying the Rosary Helps

Praying the Rosary helps. I dare suggest that praying the rosary is more about building my faith than having my prayers answered - after all God already knows my needs: "So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him,” (Matt. 6:8). I began to notice that my faith in Christ was increased as I prayed the rosary. I came to him desperate for an answer and in return received faith. For those who have never prayed the rosary, I believe that my faith was increased through the stations of the mysteries I professed:

“Meditation engages thought, imagination, emotion, and desire. This mobilization of faculties is necessary in order to deepen our convictions of faith, prompt the conversion of our heart, and strengthen our will to follow Christ. Christian prayer tries above all to meditate on the mysteries of Christ, as in lectio divina or the rosary. This form of prayerful reflection is of great value, but Christian prayer should go further: to the knowledge of the love of the Lord Jesus, to union with him,” (CCC2708).

Saying the mysteries out loud and meditating on them gave me fortitude in faith. Granted, the rosary is time consuming, but well worth the time invested. As I sat and prayed numerous Hail Marys, I felt at ease with my “emergency” that I brought to Christ for answers. Giving that time of prayer to God not only answered my prayer by faith, but it reminded me of who I am in Christ and why my prayer would be answered: Because He hears me and loves me. As Catholics, I think it’s important to pray the rosary as part of our walk with Christ.

In case you don’t remember or don’t know how to pray the rosary, there’s an outline below:

1. Begin by making the sign of the cross

2. Pray one Apostles’s Creed

3. Pray one Our Father

4. Pray three Hail Mary’s

5. Pray one Glory to the Father

6. Recall the First Mystery (all 15 are listed below)

7. Pray one Our Father

8. Pray ten Hail Marys

9. Pray one Glory to the Father

10. Move on to the next Mystery

11. At the conclusion of all 15 mysteries you can pray one Hail, Holy Queen.

The Joyful Mysteries

Humility: The messenger of God announces to Mary that she is to be the Mother of God.

Love of Neighbor: Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth.

Spirit of Poverty: Mary gives birth to Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem.

Obedience: Jesus is presented in the temple.

Vocation: Jesus is found in the temple.

The Sorrowful Mysteries

Spirit of Prayer: Jesus undergoes his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Modesty and Purity: Jesus is scourged at the pillar.

Courage: Jesus is crowned with thorns.

Patience in Suffering: Jesus carries the cross to Calvary.

Self-denial: Jesus dies at the cross for our sins.

The Glorious Mysteries

Faith: Jesus rises from the dead.

Hope: Jesus ascends into heaven.

Wisdom, Love, Zeal, Fortitude: The Holy Spirit comes to the apostles and the Blessed Mother.

Eternal Happiness: The Mother of Jesus is taken into heaven.

Devotion to Mary and Final Perseverance: Mary is crowned queen of heaven and earth.

May you be blessed with wisdom and fortitude.