Good Faith Efforts
Try These Tips if You Struggle with the Rosary
Photo By: Flickr/Raju Antony
I’ll admit it. I struggle with the rosary, but I say it every day. Those rote Catholic prayers seem to get me distracted and bored if I don’t keep them a bit interesting and meaningful.
Nonetheless, I do believe that the rosary is a powerful protection, helps us grow closer to Mary, and teaches us important virtues and Christ’s Way. During coronavirus especially, it has been a source of strength for me without daily Eucharist. I feel called to say it each day so I have been challenged to find a way to make it work for me.
Over time, God has helped me find ways of varying my rosary prayers to deepen my prayer, connect with Jesus and Mary, and have fruitful meditations.
Here are some ideas:
- Meditate on a piece of art for each mystery.
- Focus on a word or phrase related to the mystery.
- Google different meditations or prayers for the mysteries. (Every time I do this, I land on the perfect ones!)
- Imagine being in each mystery with Mary and/or Jesus.
- Pray for the fruit of each mystery.
- Try to connect the mysteries to the messages or words in the daily readings.
- Connect each mystery to something going on in your life.
- Pray your own prayer at the end of each mystery.
- Pray intercessory prayer for each mystery for a related person or group of people.
- For each of the 10 beads of each decade, think about a different aspect of that mystery.
- Draw, write, or create something to depict the mysteries.
What others would you add?
About the Author
Katie Zalany lives in Cleveland Ohio. She is a Third Order Secular Franciscan (OFS), spiritual director, benefits/wellness leader, and certified health and life coach. She volunteers with St. Vincent de Paul Society serving the poor, is an active mentor to many individuals, and a prolific writer. Her writing interests and focus areas include spiritual development, reflections on the Gospel life, Franciscian spirituality, prayer, and integration of faith and work/daily living. She is the published author of Called to Corporate: Lessons of Growing in Faith and Holiness from the Corporate Cubicle.
