Posted on 10/07/2014 9:09:11 PM PDT by Morgana
Since today is the feast of the Holy Rosary, in this post I'd like to remind us that the rosary is a powerful weapon in our battle against unchastity and in particular pornography.
“To recite the rosary,” wrote Pope John Paul II, “is nothing other than to contemplate with Mary the face of Christ.” To commit to praying the rosary, perhaps even daily, is to commit to spending fifteen to twenty minutes in quiet contemplation.
Quieting the Mind
Often those who use pornography habitually say they experience an inner disquiet that can make contemplation seem almost impossible. The rosary is a practical and beautiful way to reverse that problem, to begin quieting our minds and our passions.
Some people dismiss the rosary as too simple, a prayer for blue-haired church ladies. Though it’s true that the rosary is a humble prayer, this is by no means a defect. Consider the humble offering of the young boy who volunteered five barley loaves to our Lord (John 6:9).
That too was a simple offering, but its result was magnificent! In the same way, when we offer the five decades of the rosary to Jesus through the hands of our Blessed Mother, what can he not do?
The famous words of one bishop, Hugh Doyle, are appropriate here: “No one can live continually in sin and continue to say the rosary: either they will give up sin or they will give up the rosary.”
I'd like to encourage us to offer a holy rosary today for all those affected by the sin of pornography: consumers, producers, and the victims who call themselves "stars."
Let's conclude by taking a look at five powerful quotes about the rosary that I hope will inspire you (and me) to greater devotion.
5 Quotes About the Rosary
1. "If you say the Holy Rosary every day, with a spirit of faith and love, our Lady will make sure she leads you very far along her Son's path." — St. Josemaria Escriva
2. "The Rosary is a powerful weapon to put the demons to flight and to keep oneself from sin. . . . If you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes, and in your country, assemble each evening to recite the Rosary. Let not even one day pass without saying it, no matter how burdened you may be with many cares and labors." — Pope Pius XI
3. The Rosary is the Weapon. — St. Pio
4. The Rosary is the most beautiful and the most rich in graces of all prayers; it is the prayer that touches most the Heart of the Mother of God . . . and if you wish peace to reign in your homes, recite the family Rosary. — Pope Saint Pius X
5. "The rosary is the book of the blind, where souls see and there enact the greatest drama of love the world has ever known; it is the book of the simple, which initiates them into mysteries and knowledge more satisfying than the education of other men; it is the book of the aged, whose eyes close upon the shadow of this world, and open on the substance of the next. The power of the rosary is beyond description." — Venerable Fulton Sheen
Today offer a rosary for all those addicted to pornography as well as those who are in the industry.
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Matt Fradd works for Covenant Eyes, and is the author of the new book Delivered: True Stories of Men and Women who Turned from Porn to Purity. He is also the founder of The Porn Effect (www.theporneffect.com) a site dedicated to exposing the reality behind the fantasy of porn and offering help to those seeking authentic sexual liberation.
Read more from Matt at his website www.mattfradd.com.
Just post a few pics of Hillary Clinton and Janet Reno around the room. That should handle any lustful thoughts.
Actually, it is the concentration you give to the mysteries.
It all works together.
There’s an old saying: The beads are for the sake of the prayers; the prayers are for the sake of the mysteries.
The beads occupy the hands, and help count the prayers, freeing the mind from counting. The prayers occupy the lips and free the mind from “self talk,” the inner monologue we are always carrying on, so that the mind can focus better on the mysteries.
The beauty of vocal prayer is explained by St. Thomas Aquinas: A vocal prayer is “complete” at the instant it starts. That is, the prayer is really located in the INTENTION, which is complete even before the words are said. Thus, there need be no anxiety that a prayer “doesn’t count” if the mind wanders during it. Many people are never able to concentrate, and many elderly people are less able to do so as they age. I have explained this in confession many times, to people who confessed that they were “distracted” during prayer.
It is never permissible to do evil that good may come of it.
LOL. Indeed.
I don’t remember who said it but supposedly if we fall asleep while saying the rosary our guardian angel finishes it for us.
There’s that, too.
Instead of saying repetitious Hail Marys during a Rosary, spend that time learning Scripture verses.
At great risk to friendships, I have recommended praying the Rosary to people who’ve expressed an interest in Eastern forms of meditation. They always look at me like I’m crazy . . . and these are friends who attended parochial schools in their youth!
I guess prayer and masturbation wouldn’t work?
How would anyone know that?
Just instruct the angel to pray the whole thing in case your forget altogether...
Same thing, different words
It absolutely does work on blood pressure! Especially if you can find a quiet place to say it -an old dark church, for instance. Silence is a must!
I read a lot of saint's biographies and autobiographies.
I wish I could harness the I don't even know how to adequately describe it. So I will just use the word energy.
The energy I felt present when I and several hundred people marched for life and we began praying the Rosary together. It was just amazing. I am getting goose bumps now just thinking about it. It was other worldly!
How would they know?
Had a holy Sister tell me once, it;'s not like you get zapped if you say 11 Hail Mary's instead of 10. :)
I have heard that as well. My guardian angel has been very busy for most of my life. :0
I’m sorry. I thought I was having a conversation with someone who really cared.
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