Ruth - Chapter 18 The Rosary
As I reflect for this posting I feel that I have to confess that for a long time I had a personal struggle with the rosary. The struggle was brought on by strong protestant influences in the 70's and 80's. I really think that it is dangerous to attend other churches and/or non-catholic bible studies. These often leave spiritual scars we don't recognize until later. I now enjoy saying the rosary in groups....united in prayer and I enjoy personalizing the rosary saying "pray for (name) now and at the hour of his/her death, Amen." We do that for our boys. I also appreciate the Lord's gift of the Luminous Mysteries. "The fruits of all spiritual exercises are an increase in the supernatural virtues: faith, hope, and love." This reminded me of Janie Meyer. When we pray the rosary during the "Pilgrim Prayer Walk" on Saturday mornings she always add the fruit of each mystery. I had never heard that before but now I read something similiar in this book. The Catholic church offers so many prayer options. Like Matthew states on page 263 "Learn to allow the Spirit to guide you to the type of prayer that will most benefit you on a particular day." That was a freeing statement to me. I love talking to the Lord throughout the day, yet we are called to group and liturgical prayer and we are graced with the rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, the Liturgy of the Hours, etc. What a blessing we have been given in the Catholic Church. Thank you Lord for all the blessings we have been blessed with especially the gift of faith and access to you in prayer.
- posted by Ruth @ 10:13 PM