The Rosary Part 2

The Rosary Part 2

Submitted by Thomas Stidl

               I have been challenged for most of my life to pray a daily rosary (five decades) at least once daily, More recently, I was challenged to pray three full Rosaries (fifteen decades) daily. One Rosary is dedicated to world peace. Another one is dedicated to the precious blood of Jesus. The last Rosary is dedicated for the atonement of all sin that caused the death of Jesus on the cross. I was actually feeling that I was accomplishing more spirituality in my life until last week.

               Usually, we pray and meditate on the Joyful Mysteries on Monday and Saturday. We pray and meditate on the Luminous Mysteries on Thursday. We pray and meditate on the Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesday and Friday while we pray and meditate on the Glorious Mysteries on Wednesday and Sunday. I am sure that this practice is still fine for those who pay one Rosary daily. Since I already say three Rosaries daily, I was asked to increase that number to four, I was told that when I increase the number of daily Rosaries that I should not say the same mysteries four times. I should rather say the Rosaries in the way of the lives of Jesus and Mary.

                To explain further, the first Rosary should be the Joyful Mysteries followed by the Luminous Mysteries. The third Rosary should be the Sorrowful Mysteries while the fourth Rosary should be the Glorious Mysteries. I will admit that finding time for the fourth Rosary can be a bit rough with my somewhat hectic schedule, but so far, I have successfully managed. I am not complaining, especially when I think of the time that Jesus spent on the cross suffering for me. I just eat supper later in the evening.

                I have also found that meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary has greatly enhanced my understanding of God. When I said three Rosaries daily, it timed out at approximately forty five minutes to complete. The fourth Rosary adds about fifteen minutes extra to my prayer life. The fourth Rosary is dedicated to helping me grow in my knowledge of the lives of Jesus and Mary, my Catholic faith, and making me a better human being.

                In my meditation on the Agony in the Garden, Jesus asks his apostles if they could watch one hour with Him. Recalling the details of His life from His Annunciation to Mary to the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth fulfills that request. Although I pray and meditate for a total of two and one half hours daily, I now find great peace in my life making me more patient for handling all the obstacles in my life.

                As a very old television commercial once said, “try it; you’ll like it.” Well, I tried it, and I like it. I definitely see a change in me for the better.

                Until next time, Deo Gratias. Laus Tibi Christe. Laus Deo. Gloria Tibi Domini. See you in paradise.