THE ROSARY .... It's Not just for Catholics anymore! ;)

October is traditionally the month of the Holy Rosary and what a treasure trove of history, Scripture and blessings it IS!

Many of us were raised praying this devotion on the life of Jesus. Many of us (especially in our youth) zipped through it with hurried repetition without even considering the mysteries. What a LOSS!!
The Rosary is praying Scripture. I like to think of it as taking Mary's hand and letting her walk me through the life of Jesus. So many protestants just see it as 'vain repetition', but they miss the whole point of the devotion in that our meditation on the mysteries bring us closer to the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts almost as if we were there. However, once realized ... more and more non Catholics have taken up rosaries and now join in this most personal devotion with a much better understanding of why and to Whom it is offered.

I've had some times when I got lost in the mysteries practically smelling the hay and animals at the Nativity; or feeling the profound devastation and utter emptiness accompanied with the crashing thunder and lightening when our dear Lord breathed His Last.
If you totally immerse yourself in the mysteries, you will find that the rosary is hardly a chore, but most definitely a total JOY that you will look forward to daily with much love and devotion. This is the goal. To become as close to Jesus and Mary as is humanly possible. If we really love someone, don't we want to know EVERYTHING about them and always wanting to learn more, right?

The whole rosary is actually 20 decades broken into 4 sets of mysteries meditated on different days of
the week as noted below. The Scripture references are also available, should you need a little brush up on what you want to be thinking about as you say the prayers. (The prayers are found in Scripture as well ... yes, even the HAIL MARY!  The only part that isn't in Scripture was added by the Church where we ask Mary to pray for us now and at the hour of our death.) The whole rosary gives honor and glory to God, concentrating on the life and ministry of Jesus.

So actually, when we say a set of mysteries on a particular day, that's really just a 'chaplet' because the WHOLE Rosary, as we said earlier, consists of 20 decades. But if you can do just one set of mysteries a day it will be extremely beneficial for mind, body and soul.

 Any questions, please don't hesitate to ask ... make October the month of a new beginning with greater devotion to Jesus!! BLESSINGS!!

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