Hello everyone I returned to my Faith in 1999 and have been trying to say my Rosary every day, fighting distractions and feeling not too successful at concentrating. My question is: how do you meditate and keep focus? I have read "Secret of the Rosary" and understand distractions are normal, but I want to get better at it. Before each decade, I make a different intention, i.e., I would say to myself, "The first Joyful Mystery, The Annunciation, I offer this decade for the souls in purgatory," then the second decade...for ending abortion and peace in the world, third decade for my parents, homeless people....etc. I try to concentrate on the mystery and my mind goes to the intention. What is the best way to say the Rosary and get the full benefits, better to concentrate on the mystery or the intention? thank you so much. maryann

-- maryann (maryann.parker@citigroup.com), October 23, 2003

Answers

maryann,

i once tried creating a list of 53 special intentions on both a global and personal scale and praying them for each Hail Mary. I never finished with that plan, but it sounds like it may help you.

also, between decades, i always paused for a few minutes to reflect on the mystery instead of just coming up with the name of the mystery and stating one intention for the decade. its well and good to pray on a mystery, but if you dont take time to contemplate the mystery, how can your prayer take on deeper meaning?

-- paul h (dontSendMeMail@notAnAddress.com), October 23, 2003.

Hi,

Personally, I make the intention at the end of each decade as I go along. Sometimes, the intention is the result of the meditation; for example, meditating on the Crucifixion, I might be led to think of those who are suffering the death penalty this day - so that becomes the intention for that decade.

Only a suggestion, but I hope that it helps.

Regards,

Adrian

-- Adrian Lowe (adrianmlowe@yahoo.com), October 23, 2003.

I need to be better about saying the Rosary myself, but one little book I found has been invaluable to me in concentrating on the current mystery. It's called The Scriptural Rosary. I found it in our Catholic bookstore. I also saw it promoted on the website www.spiritdaily.com

It gives a scripture verse about that mystery with each decade.

ie

The First Joyful Mystery

read the scripture verse, say the Hail Mary, read the second scripture verse, say the second Hail Mary, etc.

It's BEAUTIFUL!!!

Carolyn

-- Carolyn (ck_sunshine@hotmail.com), October 23, 2003.

Adrian, I like your suggestion a lot. I am indebted to you for taking the trouble to mention it. Maybe I'll try one intention going into the mystery -- and another coming out, as the Holy Spirit moves me.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), October 24, 2003.

Very good ideas everyone. I am the most motivated to pray the rosary well when I do it with others. Usually we pray it before every mass at my parish, in the main pews, not off to the side, everyone who comes to mass joins in as they enter the church wherever we are in the rosary when they arrive. It gets louder as mass time gets closer. We do this before all daily and weekend masses. The pope asks us to pray the rosary for peace.

I use a prayer card that meditates on virtues for each one. Such as Annunciation = humility, Jesus carrys his cross = acceptance of trials, Assumption = devotion to Mary, while looking at the crucifix or statue of Mary or Joseph or at the Tabernacle.

-- Mike H. (beginasyouare@hotmail.com), October 24, 2003.

All the suggestions are very good. I have personally gone through three or more variations. I will put down three of them based on what I have heard, known, and practiced.

1. Each hail mary for every needy person or a needy situation which spontanously comes into my mind. (Here few seconds of meditation on the mystery maybe done at the begining of the decade)- Already said.

2. A charismatic catholic priest once told us that he was inspired by God to say all the mysteries daily, offering each decade for the following intentions: (i) For the catholic church; (ii) For the success of the charismatic renewal; (iii) For all marriages and families; (iv) For those sick in mind, soul, and body; and (v) repentance of all sinners.

3. At present, this is what I do. After saying each mystery, I just lift up intentions as in #2, and if I am alone and has more time, I spend a few seconds/minutes interceding for sometime (e.g. all families who are right now under evil attack, etc.). After I am through, I no longer worry about it. I recite the decade just giving full attention, meditating what the mystery might mean (It is good to read Bible passages corresponding to the mysteries and keep in mind to help). Though I have to confess, I find saying rosary alone quite difficult and painful completing it (nowadays even skipping at times). But, when I finish with patience and zeal, there is such great peace, security, and confidence within. If all the mysteries are recited the same day (with zeal and faith), then all fire will be like cool breeze, temptations will not be too difficult to resist, Satan will flee, your will increase in the fruits of the spirit, and people will notice the difference in you.

There maybe numerous other methods, use according to your degree of faith, understanding, spiritual satisfaction, and compliance.

Philip

-- PHILIP JOHN (leslie_jn@yahoo.com), October 25, 2003.