I am wondering if it is, and if so why? I am specifically thinking of the idea of the rosary as a meditative prayer, not of the prayers in and of themselves. I am looking for answers from Catholics, former Catholics, and non- Catholics. I appreciate your thoughts and time...
2007-10-18 14:26:25 · 21 answers · asked by Arya 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Of course not.
Anyone can pray any Catholic prayer (as long as you mean it).
With love in Christ.
2007-10-18 18:29:17 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Why not? The Blessed Mother told us to pray the rosary. Besides, the prayers in the rosary all come from the Bible.
The rosary is a type of meditative prayer focused on the events in the life of our Lord and the Blessed Virgin. The rosary was popularized by St. Dominic (1170-1221) who is said to have received it from the Blessed Virgin to combat the Albigensian heresy.
During medieval times monks had adopted the practice of daily praying the 150 psalms, the psalms being divided into three sets of 50 each. Since many of the lay brothers of these orders were illiterate and couldn't read the psalms, the practice arose of reciting the Our Father 150 times. This became the "poor man's breviary." This practice spread to the laity and as time went on other easily remembered prayers were added. During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries the rosary settled into its present form which consists of the Apostle's Creed, the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Glory Be.
N9wff: We don't pray to the rosary. The rosary is just a device to help us pray.
2007-10-18 14:41:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Good grief, we don't "pray to" the beads! In fact, though having rosary beads (or knotted cord rosaries, which I'm rather partial to) is handy, a rosary can be prayed without them. It's the prayer and meditation on the life of Christ that's important, not the mechanics -- although there's something to be said for the tactile corroboration that you're turning your mind and heart to God. It's very helpful in eliminating or controlling self-generated distraction while at prayer, which we all experience from time to time.
And yes, anyone can pray a rosary. That's ANYONE.
What many non-Catholics find especially meaningful is praying a Scriptural rosary, of which there are many forms -- several of which are found at the link below (scroll down to the second half of the page under "The Scriptural Rosary: Variations around a theme").
2007-10-18 15:14:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Speaking as a Catholic, the rosary is for anyone, but it doesn't make sense to say it if you don't think that Mary prays with you and for you. Note that Mary is not the object of the prayer, but only the subject of the address, since the point of the prayer is the last line:
"Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death."
The intransitive object is the Lord, as He is the object of all prayers, at least in the Catholic faith.
Whereas as similar prayer, where Jesus is the subject and object, is the Fatima prayer:
"Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell, and bring all souls to live everlasting, especially those most in need of Thy Mercy."
Perhaps, if you would like a meditative prayer, try the Litany of the Holy Name, which invokes the many names by which the Lord is known.
2007-10-22 09:29:07 · answer #4 · answered by Veritatum17 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing wrong at all. The Rosary is a prayer of the gospel. The mysteries are meditations on the life of Christ; the Haily Mary is in the gospel, as well as the Lord's Prayer, and so on. When you pray the Rosary, you pray the gospel. God bless.
2007-10-20 02:01:43 · answer #5 · answered by Danny H 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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No, I don't think so. Many Protestants pray the Rosary. You may have some tell you that it is likened to "vain repetitions." Well if the prayer that you are reciting has meaning to you in your heart, then it is hardly vain. Repetition is used continuous throughout the Bible as a means of getting a very important point across, just look at how many times Christ repeated His message. God bless and thank you for asking.
2016-04-05 07:49:10 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Non Catholic Rosary
2016-12-12 14:38:33 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not at all- in fact- you have discovered the secret of the Rosary!
It isn't the prayers that are the key- it is the meditation!
2007-10-19 07:56:20 · answer #8 · answered by Mommy_to_seven 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think its faith alone that drives one to pray the rosary. Im non catholic but Im dating a hardcore catholic and knowing that he has so much faith in what he believes is very comforting. I think if you pray the rosary and think nothing of it, nothing will come of it. If you believe and pray it then its your faith alone thats your driving force.
I dont know if this helps.
Last night after watching a very scary movie (im a wuss) I couldnt sleep and was miserable. I asked my boyfriend for his rosary so I could feel safe and protected...and I did! Its pretty amazing how it worked:)
2007-10-18 14:33:36 · answer #9 · answered by MistressZombie82 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Prayers know no denomination. If you are sincere and mean the words, that prayer is valid.
Note that Jesus said not to use vain repetitions while we pray. However, if we truly mean the words, they aren't vain anymore.
2007-10-18 15:11:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋