The Rosary and the Republic

Speroforum ^ | October 23, 2007 | Brother Andre Marie

[NYer]

Fans of Fr. John Corapi have often heard him refer to the Rosary as a weapon. Last year, at a St. Joseph Covenant Keepers’ event (in Fr. Worth, TX), Father John Corapi said . . .

The most difficult part of starting a prayer journey is taking the first step . . .
Just Do It!

During his first Saturday morning talk, the priest, a member of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, explored Marian devotion by dispelling commonly held misconceptions. Protestants wrongly believe that Catholics worship Mary, and even practicing members of the faith discount praying to Mary, because, “Jesus is all that matters.”

“That’s what Mary thinks,” Fr. Corapi said, agreeing with the latter statement in an ironic fashion. “The Virgin Mary has one thing in mind. — bringing you closer to her son. All authentic Marian devotion begins with Jesus Christ, centers on Jesus Christ, and ends with Jesus Christ. So don’t be afraid of it.”

An allegiance to Mary is something the priest has shared with audiences since his first guest appearance on EWTN’s “Mother Angelica Live” many years ago. At the end of the program, his interviewer asked a compelling question: If he had one thing to say to millions of people, what would it be?

“I could have said a lot of good things,” Fr. Corapi explained, remembering he could have asked listeners to read the Bible, make a holy hour, or build a church. “What I said was ‘pray the rosary,’ and I’d give the same reply today. When you say the rosary, you do all those other things.”

The prayer of the rosary is so powerful because it’s the prayer of the Gospel. It’s an argument the Catholic apologist uses to explain the uniquely Catholic practice to members of other Christian denominations.

“When they listen, they can’t dispute it, and many of them end up praying the rosary. I’ve gotten Southern Baptist pastors to pray the rosary this way,” he confided to the amused audience. “They do it because they’re good men who love God, Jesus Christ, and the Bible. It makes sense.”

[diamond6]

bttt

[dsc]

When I pray the Rosary, my alleged mind often drifts off the mystery to be contemplated.

I wonder if that invalidates...well, things. Makes that Rosary not count, or count less.

[Talking_Mouse]

When I pray the Rosary, my alleged mind often drifts off the mystery to be contemplated.

I wonder if that invalidates...well, things. Makes that Rosary not count, or count less.

As soon as you realize your mind is drifting bring it back to the mystery. This is how to learn discipline. As long as you are truly trying to keep your mind on the mystery the Lord Jesus is pleased.

As for counting less, lets use an analogy. What does a mom enjoy more, the boutique of flowers in a vase that her child has picked for her or the professional arrangement? When I think about how very imperfect my rosaries are I keep coming back to the fact that I am trying to please Our Lady by praying her rosary, and an imperfect rosary is much better than no rosary at all.

[dsc]

It has been said that the prayers of a righteous man fly to heaven like arrows.

I figure mine lurch like a three-legged rino with a thorn in one of his remaining feet.

[AliVeritas]

[TASMANIANRED]

Mine too but they get there...It’s all that counts.

No prayer is ever wasted.

[tiki]

Mothers are happier with weeds even. It truly is the thought that counts.

[tiki]

That made me laugh.

Seriously though, since I strongly resemble your rhino, I like to believe that God has pity on me knowing my shortcomings. My will is to make a beautiful prayer but my ability falls short BUT when I DO make a beautiful prayer, I know that the Holy Spirit gave it to me.

[dsc]

“I like to believe that God has pity on me “

Yeah, I believe it, too.

[NYer]

As soon as you realize your mind is drifting bring it back to the mystery. This is how to learn discipline. As long as you are truly trying to keep your mind on the mystery the Lord Jesus is pleased.

Like freeper 'dsc', my mind often wanders and I agree with TM that the best practice is to use discipline to return to the meditation. Fr. Corapi, when asked about this, told the listeners to 'offer it up'.

BTW - a while back, another freeper commented that we should offer up the first decade to the intentions of our Blessed Mother, and I have done that ever since. The 2nd decade, I always offer up for those who have asked for my prayers. And the rest, of course, are all devoted to the Holy Father, the Patriarch, the Bishop, my pastor, the parishioners, my living and deceased relatives and friends, neighbors, coworkers, and even total strangers. At this stage of my life, I am beginning to regret not becoming a contemplative nun :-)

God bless you both in your prayer life.

[Salvation]

If you are drfting along with the happenings in that mystery, I would say that your Rosary means more.

For example, I always do this — Institution of the Holy Eucharist.

The Fifth Luminous Mystery
The Institution of the Holy Eucharist
Our Father
1. When they drew near Jerusalem and came to Bethphage 2 on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tethered, and a colt with her. 3 Untie them and bring them here to me. (Matthew 21:1-2 - Hail Mary

2. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! (Mark 11:8-9) - Hail Mary

3. When it was evening, he came with the Twelve. And as they reclined at table and were eating, Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” (Mark 14:17-18) - Hail Mary

4. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. (John 13:5) - Hail Mary

5. While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” (Mark 14,22) - Hail Mary

6. Then he took a cup, gave thanks, 16 and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:27-28) - Hail Mary

7. I tell you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.” Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. . (Matthew 26:29-30) - Hail Mary

8. Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. (John 6, 35) - Hail Mary

9. “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.” (John 6,54-55) Hail Mary

10. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 1:,12-13) - Hail Mary

[Salvation]

**BTW - a while back, another freeper commented that we should offer up the first decade to the intentions of our Blessed Mother**

I believe there might be a special indulgence for praying for the Intentions of the Pope also.

[dsc]

Unfortunately, my mind drifts entirely off the mysteries.

[Salvation]

Mine used to do that too. Then I found these — and I try to concentrate on each one then say the Hail Mary. It usually works. But not always.

[dsc]

“Then I found these”

These?

[Salvation]

Good to see you posting. Did you have to evacuate? How are you anyway?

[Salvation]

The meditative luminous mysteries.