Whenever I see a rosary hanging on someone's rear-view mirror, I automatically feel a kinship with the Catholic driver. However, a rosary is not a decoration. It is a powerful spiritual tool, and popes have been encouraging Catholics to pray the Rosary for years.
Since October is the month of the Rosary, here are three ways you can deepen your devotion to the Rosary.
1. Memorize all the mysteries of the Rosary and the fruit of each mystery
If you’re new to praying the Rosary, you may not know all of the prayers, mysteries, or fruits of the mysteries. Learning each prayer, mystery, and fruit can give you a better understanding of the Rosary and help you focus on your intentions and the lives of Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Memorizing the mysteries and the fruit of each mystery gives you the freedom to pray the Rosary anytime and anywhere without relying on a pamphlet, card, or online resource. Once you memorize the mysteries and fruits, it will be easier for you to meditate on them and recite them from the heart.
2. Plan a specific time to pray the Rosary
Many Catholics have busy schedules and think that they don’t have time to pray the Rosary. The solution to this obstacle is to make prayer a priority and plan a specific time during the day to pray. Some people prefer to pray the Rosary first thing in the morning, after they wake up. Other people prefer to pray the Rosary at night, right before they go to sleep.
You can also pray the Rosary during your lunch break or on your commute to work or school. The only issue with those options is that praying the Rosary can become dependent on your work or school schedule. For example, on a day off, you won’t need to commute, so you might forget to pray the Rosary on that day.
3. Remove all distractions before praying the Rosary
When praying the Rosary, you may feel tempted to rush through it so that you can move onto something else. To prevent prayer from feeling like an inconvenience, remove all visible distractions from your surroundings before you start to pray. For example, put away your laptop or phone.
Alternatively, you can grab your rosary, move to a quiet area, close your eyes, and start to pray. The best place to pray the Rosary is a chapel with the Blessed Sacrament exposed. Praying should feel intimate, not mundane since when you pray, you are directly communicating with God. The more time you dedicate to praying the Rosary, the closer you will feel to Mama Mary and our Lord.
"The holy Rosary is a powerful weapon. Use it with confidence and you'll be amazed at the results." - St. Josemaría Escrivá
