The Rosary is an important part of our identity as Catholics. One can usually identify Catholics since many persons carry a Rosary as a chain, ring or bracelet or just in their pockets and handbags.

Marian shrine at Arima Boys’ RC. Photo courtesy the school

When we look around today, we observe people who are burdened with troubles; lives that are extremely busy and as a result there is little time to share with one another. These everyday stresses impose many limitations. People today are recognising that their interior lives are in chaos. This inner chaos leads to disconnect between God, creation, one another, and our very selves. We need space to quieten our lives so that we can regain the original harmony intended by God.

The Rosary can be just the prayer of transformation we need today. It is a prayer of scripture, a mantra and a prayer of life’s journey. The prayer of Scripture helps us to contemplate scripture within each decade and allow that scripture passage to take root within us. Therefore it is wise to read the scripture before and let the passage speak to our heart as we pray that decade. The Rosary is not meant to be rushed but ought to be prayed contemplatively. Sometimes we may need to remain with one decade for the entire day so that that decade can bear fruit in our lives.  This should not hinder us from praying the Rosary for special intentions or simply as gifts of roses to our Mother, Mary.

The Rosary can also be prayed as a mantra. This calls us to speak a word or words repetitively.  By disciplining ourselves we find that over a period of time we grow in prayer. The ultimate end of our prayer is total union with God. The rosary allows us to move from encounter with God to deep intimate relationship with God and into the ecstatic union with Him. By reciting the Rosary daily we begin the first step in prayer.

Through simple vocal praying of the Rosary we encounter Jesus through the intercession of our Holy Mother. As we continue to meditate on the scriptures we come to see Jesus more clearly and to know the Father through Jesus. Through the working of the Holy Spirit, discipline and constant repetition we begin to meditate on the life of Jesus. We encounter the Triune God in a new way. Conversion begins and we recognise that daily we are called to conversion for the rest of our lives. This conversion invites us to examine the way we relate with one another. Somehow, even in the midst of a busy chaotic day there is a deep sense of peace and harmony within us, of interconnectivity with others, the world and God. This ongoing conversion brings about a deep sense of communion and acknowledgement that all of life and the reason for life is to worship God.

During this month of October dedicated to Mary and the Rosary let us make a special effort to pray the Rosary and be open to the conversion and transformation this can bring about in our lives, our families, our communities and the world. The Rosary is one of the most powerful forms of prayer since it invokes the intercession of our Holy Mother who is full of grace. We can simply start by setting aside 15 -20 minutes each day. These minutes will be the greatest investment we will ever make in our lifetime.

May our Holy Mother continue to intercede for us. May she continue to cover us in her mantle of love, prayer and protection. – Archdiocesan Catechetical Office