Catholic Info
Traditional Catholic Faith => The Sacred: Catholic Liturgy, Chant, Prayers => Topic started by: St Giles on September 18, 2024, 08:09:32 PM
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What are your Rosary meditations? The little Pray the Rosary book I have starts each mystery with:
I DESIRE... (a certain grace, virtue, understanding of something, ect)
and
THINK ABOUT... (people, actions, words, thoughts, perhaps a scripture quote would work, even an extra prayer intention or resolution)
I want you to list a what you would want in your version of this book for each mystery; something for I DESIRE... (Preferably less than 15 words, but no more than 20) and something for THINK ABOUT... (as few as 10 words, but no more than 100).
I welcome multiple versions of each mystery if you have more than one. Maybe this will give each other fresh ideas for meditation, and perhaps after a while we may vote on some preferred versions which could be published. Meditation is part of the requirement for gaining the full indulgences of the Rosary and the First Saturdays.
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There is a nice book, done by Angelus Press, The Rosary with Archbishop Lefebvre. It has some nice meditations for each mystery from various talks, writings and sermons written by the Archbishop. I recommend it.
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Thanks, I'll check it out. Rosary Warfare is another good one.
Nobody feel like you need to list an idea for all 15 mysteries at once, just one at a time would do. Whatever you want to see in a small booklet like this. Maybe we can do one for the Way of the cross too, and in a smaller format, since St Alphonsus' version isn't the only way it can be done.
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Maybe we can do one for the Way of the cross too, and in a smaller format, since St Alphonsus' version isn't the only way it can be done.
You think you can do better than St Alphonsus????
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I mean there may be various other meditations than his specifically that may resonate more with some people. Only so few words are used, so there's a lot of room for variation. I've seen 4 other versions, one was in the exact same book but according to St Francis of Assisi, though I rarely see that one, so perhaps it is inferior to St Alphonsus'.
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I desire patience. And make me more prayerful, God.
Genesis : God made man and He made woman. Pray others see the truth.
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Thanks, I'll check it out. Rosary Warfare is another good one.
Nobody feel like you need to list an idea for all 15 mysteries at once, just one at a time would do. Whatever you want to see in a small booklet like this. Maybe we can do one for the Way of the cross too, and in a smaller format, since St Alphonsus' version isn't the only way it can be done.
Where can I find the St Alphonsus version? A Google search come up w a modern book that 'for the first time's collects the individual meditations of St Alphonsus for the mysteries - including the Luminous!
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When referring to St Alphonsus, I was talking about the Way of the Cross.
Here's a thought for the 1st Joyful mystery. Think about the Angel's salutation to Mary: Hail FULL of grace. Thanks St Alphonsus quoting St Bernard for this thought.
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Don't post it yet, write it down and wait a week because I want fresh uninfluenced ideas;
I want your cross mystery comparison meditation points as in, what do you think are the main similarities or contrasting ideas of each set of mysteries comparing the three 1st mysteries to each other, and the same for all 5 sets of 3. I have one version of mine written down so far, I'll post it when I see some others.
This is a way of meditating on all 15 while only praying 5.
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What are your Rosary meditations? The little Pray the Rosary book I have starts each mystery with:
I DESIRE... (a certain grace, virtue, understanding of something, ect)
and
THINK ABOUT... (people, actions, words, thoughts, perhaps a scripture quote would work, even an extra prayer intention or resolution)
I want you to list a what you would want in your version of this book for each mystery; something for I DESIRE... (Preferably less than 15 words, but no more than 20) and something for THINK ABOUT... (as few as 10 words, but no more than 100).
I welcome multiple versions of each mystery if you have more than one. Maybe this will give each other fresh ideas for meditation, and perhaps after a while we may vote on some preferred versions which could be published. Meditation is part of the requirement for gaining the full indulgences of the Rosary and the First Saturdays.
Just seeing this thread now. September was a crazy month for us and I missed many posts around then...😅
I used to wish that Saint Alphonsus had made a "Stations of the Rosary" booklet. But he didn't...
If I remember correctly, Father Joseph Collins (who married us) had a garden with the "Stations of the Rosary" where you could stop at a picture for each mystery and think about it while you prayed that decade. I have always loved that idea. The closest we get to that is having little laminated pictures of each mystery on a key ring which can be flipped over for each mystery.
We try to pray all 15 decades of the rosary every day and I myself have specific intentions I usually request for each mystery. I get the impression that this is the sort of thing you were asking ideas about. Obviously everyone is different but this is what has worked for me. (Granted... Sometimes I am distracted with the little boys and forget to ask at each mystery for the specific intentions.)
Intentions for the 15 Mysteries:
Annunciation: The grace to accept the will of God in my life.
Visitation: An increase in charity towards my neighbor and willingness to help those in need.
Birth of Our Lord: The safe delivery and baptism of all babies of devout Catholic.
The Presentation: The grace to be a good example for those around me.
The Finding in the Temple: To know the will of God in my life.
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The Agony in the Garden: I ask for the grace to make atonement for those who rejected Our Lord even though He died for them. (Ven. Mary of Agreda says that Our Lord's great grief in the Garden was knowing the many souls who still wouldn't care or turn to good despite all He would do for them.)
The Scourging at the Pillar: The grace to always be pure in mind and thought.
The Crowning with Thorns: The grace to be meek and humble of heart.
The Carrying of the Cross: The grace to accept and willingly endure all crosses given to me by God.
The Crucifixion: The grace to be obedient to the Will of God even to the point of death.
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The Ressurection: The Restoration of the Church
The Ascension: The grace to ascend higher on the road to sanctity.
The Descent if the Holy Ghost: The grace to obtain the gifts and help of the Holy Ghost.
The Assumption of Our Lady: The grace to never to assume anything bad about my neighbor.
The Coronation of Our Lady: The grace to grow in whichever virtue I am most lacking in comparison to Our Lady.
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Beautiful intentions!
Birth of Our Lord: The safe delivery and baptism of all babies of devout Catholic.
Just out of curiosity, why only for devout Catholic mothers and babies?.....especially when we think of all the abortions.
Many parents, Catholic and Protestant, only baptize their babies because of pressure from the grandparents.
Most don't realize/acknowledge newly baptized babies are Catholic... at least until they reach the age of reason and maybe a few years beyond, why not pray that they have that grace? Some will die in that state and maybe some will later convert because of that grace. We do have saints who were converts.
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Beautiful intentions!
Just out of curiosity, why only for devout Catholic mothers and babies?.....especially when we think of all the abortions.
Many parents, Catholic and Protestant, only baptize their babies because of pressure from the grandparents.
Most don't realize/acknowledge newly baptized babies are Catholic... at least until they reach the age of reason and maybe a few years beyond, why not pray that they have that grace? Some will die in that state and maybe some will later convert because of that grace. We do have saints who were converts.
It was just what usually comes to mind when I am praying the mystery. Usually I remember any specific mother I know who is expecting. 😇
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I want your cross mystery comparison meditation points as in, what do you think are the main similarities or contrasting ideas of each set of mysteries comparing the three 1st mysteries to each other, and the same for all 5 sets of 3. I have one version of mine written down so far, I'll post it when I see some others.
This is a way of meditating on all 15 while only praying 5.
Anyone come up with some ideas? I admit I've neglected this kind of meditation recently. I've been meaning to try it again to find some new things to consider.
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Yesterday before Mass we prayed the Scriptural Rosary (https://www.scripturalrosary.org/annunciation.html). What you do is read a little Scripture that pertains to each mystery, before each Hail Mary. I see there are various different editions online, but I posted a link to one that I think most closely matches what we said yesterday. I really like praying the rosary this way.
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Yesterday before Mass we prayed the Scriptural Rosary (https://www.scripturalrosary.org/annunciation.html). What you do is read a little Scripture that pertains to each mystery, before each Hail Mary. I see there are various different editions online, but I posted a link to one that I think most closely matches what we said yesterday. I really like praying the rosary this way.
I actually do my own meditations before each mystery, take a few minutes to mediate, and then start into the Out Father, Haily Marys ... and this is by far the most preferred method. I don't like just rattling off the words.
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Yesterday before Mass we prayed the Scriptural Rosary (https://www.scripturalrosary.org/annunciation.html). What you do is read a little Scripture that pertains to each mystery, before each Hail Mary. I see there are various different editions online, but I posted a link to one that I think most closely matches what we said yesterday. I really like praying the rosary this way.
I think that would be best for the public Rosary before Mass, because of all the distractions.
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I actually do my own meditations before each mystery, take a few minutes to mediate, and then start into the Out Father, Haily Marys ... and this is by far the most preferred method. I don't like just rattling off the words.
I sometimes still do it that way, but I've been able to meditate on the mysteries and pray the prayers at the same time for a while. For example, I googled how far did Our Lord carry his cross, google says 2000 feet which is what I've used ever since. Although I think that's correct, whether that distance is right or not does not really matter to me, for me, it gives me a good distance to meditate on, for me, I would probably forget to say the prayers or have an overly extended pause if I didn't pray and meditate at the same time. It's the same way with all the mysteries.
After a while, it really is like +Fellay said - "the mysteries are center stage, like watching them on the screen, the prayers are the background music." Anyway, he said something along those lines, wish I could remember exactly what it was he said because he put it really well.
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I found this thread
https://www.cathinfo.com/index.php?pretty;board=16;topic=28163.0
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Since this thread appears to get around 500-1000 views per day (that's unusually high), I'll add these links for those looking for more meditations
https://www.cathinfo.com/the-sacred-catholic-liturgy-chant-prayers/father-monsabre's-meditations-on-the-mysteries-of-the-rosary/
https://www.cathinfo.com/the-sacred-catholic-liturgy-chant-prayers/the-book-of-the-holy-rosary-by-henry-formby/msg968311/#msg968311
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Some meditation ideas for the Joyful mysteries. Some are my ideas, some I've heard from others, some from meditation books. These could be printed out in small font, narrow spacing, narrow column format to fit on a little card to go in the pages of a little meditation book. It's a start, but I'm not done with the joyful mysteries.
1st Joyful:
I desire... To honor the Incarnation, the grace of profound humility, that I love humility & hate pride.
Think of...
- The humility of the Blessed Virgin when the Angel Gabriel greeted her: “Hail full of grace”, and her response: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, Be it done unto me according to thy word.” God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble. As God’s creature, I should do what He wants.
- Hail full of grace.
- “The Holy which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God.”
- Be prepared to receive God’s blessings/work/gifts/ect by living a holy life.
- Jesus sanctified our flesh by taking it upon Himself; Mary participated in this.
- Pride is the fatal principle of all ruin & corruption; humility is the principle of salvation, the corner-stone of our perfection.
2nd:
I desire... Perfect charity toward my neighbor.
Think of...
- Mary’s charity in visiting her cousin Elizabeth 200 miles round trip on foot and remaining with her for 3 months until the birth of John the Baptist.
- Charity is expensive. (Fr. Chazal)
- She serves another, though she is of such great dignity even carrying God/Savior.
- Jesus serving at the last supper.
- 1 Cor 13:4 “Charity is patient, is kind: charity envies not, deals not perversely; is not puffed up; is not ambitious, seeks not her own, is not provoked to anger, thinks no evil; bears, hopes and endures all things.”
3rd:
I desire... I Desire Detachment and Indifference Toward Worldly Things.
Think of...
- The poverty so lovingly accepted by Mary when she placed the Infant Jesus, our God and Redeemer, in a manger in the cold stable of Bethlehem away from all their preparations back home. In such poverty they were rich with the presence of God Himself.
- The frustration Mary & Joseph must have felt after having likely made preparations at home for Jesus, just to have Him born homeless & travelling.
- “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”
- The beasts knew their Master & kept Him warm. The shepherds and kings of gentiles came to adore.
- We should visit and adore Him whenever, however, and as often as we can.
4th:
I desire... The spirit of sacrifice, Purity of Soul, and Obedience to God’s Laws. The grace to obey all lawful authority that we may be blameless.
Think of...
- The presentation as the 1st mass: God offering God to God.
- They obeyed the law without necessity. (stopping at sign with no traffic around?)
- Authority & laws from God are a good thing. He knows what is best. His will be done. Jesus, Mary & Joseph set an example of perfect obedience.
- “Narrow is the way that leads to life"; "The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent bear it away." Self sacrifice, denying our will to conform to another's will or to suffer the deprivation of any sensual pleasure is violence.
- 3 possible reasons for the Sacraments: for humiliation, instruction, &
exercise. Since man disobeyed his superior, God, and subjected himself to things below him, the forbidden fruit and Satan, he became subject to these inferior worldly things through concupiscence. Since man abandoned God through pride, he must now seek him through humility. God instructs the human mind to recognize the invisible virtue through the visible things of the earth (Rom 1:20, Ps 8:4, 19:2, Sir 17:8-10, Is 40:26, Acts 14:17, 17:26-29). These signs and matter stimulate the mind of man and restore his communion with God. Man exercises his relationship with God by carrying out what God has provided him to cultivate.
5th:
I desire... I Desire True Wisdom, Joy in Finding Jesus, Zeal for God’s Glory, Grace to Seek His Will.
Think of...
- Mary saying to us: “Son (daughter), why hast thou done so to us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.”
- God doesn’t need us. We may lose Him if we are careless.
- Always check to make sure you have Jesus with you.
- He can be found in the temple teaching.
- Pray Jesus teaches us all that is valuable to our salvation, knowledge, love, and service of God. We must work to do our part studying and reviewing.
- Obedience is the necessary condition of all order. Suppress obedience and you will at once inaugurate the reign of caprice and folly.
- It is the spirit of independence and revolt that troubles at present the family, the state, and the church itself.
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Source (SSPX) (https://sspx.ca/en/how-pray-rosary-st-francis-sales-30494?utm_source=SSPX+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=0a1b557bb9-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_02_03_03_48_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-fdc5b5a4cb-100028473&mc_cid=0a1b557bb9)
How to pray the Rosary by St. Francis de Sales
From his youth, Francis de Sales had formed the habit of saying his chaplet daily. Later, he made a vow to do so… To recite it, he employed a time which seemed to him brief, lingering in pious consideration on the mysteries of the Rosary; it was a familiar, childlike talk with his heavenly Mother, and he readily forgot himself near her.
Instruction on how to pray the Rosary:
“Kiss the cross of your chaplet after having signed yourself therewith, and place yourself in the presence of God, saying the Creed.
On the first large bead, beg God to accept the service you wish to render Him, and to assist you by His grace to accomplish it worthily.
On the first three small beads, implore the intercession of the Sacred Virgin, saluting her on the first as the most cherished daughter of God the Father; on the second, as Mother of God the Son, and on the third, as beloved Spouse of God the Holy Ghost.
At each decade think of one of the mysteries of the Rosary according to your leisure, remembering it principally when pronouncing the holy names of Jesus and Mary, with great reverence of heart and body. If any other sentiment should animate you (sorrow for past sin or a purpose of amendment) meditate thereon throughout the chaplet as well as you can, recalling this sentiment or any other that God may inspire in a special manner when murmuring the sacred names of Jesus and Mary.
(The Saint then finishes off the recitation of the Rosary in a way that is not common to us.)
On the large bead at the end of the last decade, thank God for having been permitted to recite your chaplet.
Passing to the three following small beads, salute the most holy Virgin Mary, entreating her
at the first to offer your understanding to the Eternal Father that you may continually consider His mercies;
at the second, supplicate her to offer your memory to the Son that your thoughts may constantly turn to His Passion and Death;
at the third, implore her to offer your will to the Holy Ghost that it may ever be inflamed with His holy love.
On the large bead at the end, beg the divine Majesty to accept all for His glory and the good of His Church, asking Him to keep you ever in its pale and to bring back those who have wandered; pray for your friends, and conclude as you commenced by the profession of faith, the Creed and Sign of the Cross.”
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Feel free to post your favorite pictures of the mysteries, whether painting, drawn, stained glass, church ceiling, or altar theme. There's too many soft silly images out there. It's hard to meditate on the Passion when our Lord has no blood on Him, or no suffering on His face. Though I do often try to imagine my own scenes with success, it still helps to have something to look at.
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My goal now is to try to spend just a half hour each day reading a book on the Passion and write down a quote or thought that stands out to me to use for meditation whether on the Sorrowful mysteries or the Way of the Cross. I highly recommend doing the same this Lent.
Saint Alphonsus says a Fr. Balthasar Alvarez used to say that, one should not think of having done anything so long as one has not succeeded in constantly keeping in one's heart Jesus crucified.
It helps extend a meditation/prayer if you also remember "ACTS".
-Adoration
-Contrition
-Thanksgiving
-Supplication
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About the best book you'll find is Father Peyton's Rosary Prayer Book (1953 NOT the reprint) about 5"X3-1/2"
It contains meditations for 12 different fifteen decade rosaries.
https://archive.org/details/fatherpeytonsros00char/page/n5/mode/2up
There are a couple available on Ebay right now for around $10.00. The originals look like this.
(https://i.imgur.com/LFWLby3.png)
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Consider the mysteries may be in the order that we should progress in the spiritual life.