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Though ancient by today’s standards, rosary is as powerful as ever
Published: January 19, 2008
By Charlotte Miller
English Teacher, Mount St. Mary Academy
Years ago, when I was receiving instruction in the Catholic faith, my instructor, now Msgr. Francis I. Malone, told me about being with a family whose teenage daughter had just been killed in a car accident. He said, “The Holy Spirit told me just what to do — to pray the rosary with the family.” My still Protestant mindset shrank from the thought. And yet, part of my heart was open to wondering why this priest would think that prayer appropriate. I think I now know.
Meanwhile, the rosary may be declining in popularity, at least in the United States, according to Catholic Update, a publication of St. Anthony Messenger Press. The same article says that some people find the rosary “repetitive and boring ... a relic of the past.” And, indeed, some Catholics roll their eyes at anything that smacks of tradition or pre-Vatican II — novenas, the use of Latin and the rosary, for instance.
Understanding the development of the rosary might be helpful in moving toward greater appreciation of it. However, the origins are not entirely clear. Legend holds the Virgin Mary gave the prayer to St. Dominic in the 12th century. Scholars believe the rosary developed gradually, beginning in the 12th century and receiving formal approval in the 16th century from Pope Pius V.
Legend holds the Virgin Mary gave the prayer to St. Dominic in the 12th century. Scholars believe the rosary developed gradually, beginning in the 12th century and receiving formal approval in the 16th century from Pope Pius V.
Monks, of course, prayed the 150 Psalms of the Bible, and the laity began a practice of reciting 150 Our Fathers in emulation of the monks. Some counted the prayers on a string of beads, counting prayers with beads or pebbles being a common practice in many religious traditions, including Hinduism and Buddhism.
Similarly, some of the laity recited 150 Ave Marias, praying only the Gospel prayer from Luke (1:26-38), not including “Holy Mary, Mother of God ... .” Over time, the mysteries of Jesus’ life were added, a development that stressed a focus on Jesus rather than on Mary alone. Then in 1569, Pope Pius V sanctioned this form of prayer, adding the “Holy Mary, Mother of God ...” stanza.
Until Pope John Paul II, the prayer remained unchanged. Pope John Paul II added the “Mysteries of Light” (customarily prayed on Thursdays) to the Joyful Mysteries (prayed on Mondays and Saturdays), Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesdays and Fridays), and Glorious Mysteries (Sundays and Wednesdays).
Most people who pray the rosary use only five decades at a time, rather than the entire 150 plus Pope John Paul II’s additional five.
As a faithful Catholic now, as opposed to a skeptical Protestant inquirer, I think I understand Msgr. Malone’s praying the rosary with a grieving family so many years ago. Through experience I know that the repetition of the prayers and mysteries can be quite soothing, comforting.
I know that we are free to contemplate the Christological mysteries or to pause in the recognition of the presence of God, resting in the palm of his hand, or to draw near to God in some other way appropriate to our spirit.
And, indeed, one of the best received gifts I have given others is to tell them I have prayed a rosary for them. Whether or not they pray the rosary themselves, they are most grateful. After 900 years the rosary is still a beautiful form of prayer.
Charlotte Miller is an English teacher at Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock and is currently pursuing a theology degree at St. Gregory’s University in Shawnee, Okla.
