 Recently, I was reminded of a beautiful practice some of our friends in Europe have. I was told the John Paul II even discussed it in his letter on the Rosary.
I’m trying to implement it, myself, now. This custom, which I was first introduced to some years ago by my mother’s Austrian friend, is to insert a little phrase, which refers to the mystery at hand, in the middle of each Hail Mary. An example for the Third Joyful Mystery would be to pray each Ave as follows: “Hail Mary, full of grace…blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, who was born at Bethlehem…Holy Mary…” I had kind of forgotten about this custom, but, the last two days, it’s been really helpful in keeping my mind on track and preventing me from drifting off into other unrelated thoughts and preoccupations. As we approach Lent and pray the Sorrowful Mysteries more frequently, introducing this custom could be a very beautiful way of entering more deeply into Christ’s sufferings. Below are some examples of how we might pray these mysteries according to this fruitful custom: 1st Sorrowful Mystery: “…Jesus, who chose the Father’s will at Gethsemane…” 2nd Sorrowful Mystery: “…Jesus, who was scourged at the pillar…” 3rd Sorrowful Mystery: “…Jesus, who was crowned with thorns…” 4th Sorrowful Mystery: “…Jesus, who carried the cross for us…” 5th Sorrowful Mystery: “…Jesus, who died on the cross…” I hope this practice helps you and me to pray more faithful and fruitfully. Have a blessed Lent!
6 Comments
Deacon John Giglio
2/20/2023 10:44:22 am
I often pray my rosary this way, especially when I'm tired and sleepy. It keeps my mind on the Mysteries. Another way of praying is the Scriptual Rosary where at each Hail Mary, a Scripture verse is said. We do this at our Marian Movement Prayer Cenacle meetings. And of course the last and most often way to pray the Rosary is to recall and meditate on the Mystery before reciting the decade. Placing yourself in the scene of the Mystery, helps us visualize what has taken place, like watching a movie! Gog bless+
Sr. Christina
2/21/2023 07:57:36 pm
You too! 2/24/2023 01:30:32 pm
It's wonderful to see you write about this! I was completely unfamiliar with this practice until my husband and I joined the Domestic Church movement (an approved movement for Catholic married couples to grow in their vocation of marriage)-at each monthly meeting, we pray a decade of the Rosary according to this method. It has been a great way for me to focus deeply on the different mysteries as we pray.
Meryl
2/25/2023 10:58:39 am
Please could you share the phrases of all the mysteries. This is so beautiful and I would like to start doing it. Thank you for sharing. I have never heard of this custom before🙏🙏🙏
Sr. Christina
3/14/2023 09:46:49 pm
I actually just made those up!
Meryl
3/15/2023 03:07:09 am
Oh wow beautiful Sister🙏🙏🙏 Leave a Reply. |
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