Dave, with all respect, I'm seeing 53 "Hail Marys" against 12 "Our Fathers" or "Glory to the Fathers" in any given five-mystery Rosary. If this were a forest of 65 trees, 53 of which were pine and 12 of which were maple, would I be missing the forest for the trees if I looked own on it from a hill and called it a pine forest?
Excellent point. It's way out of kilter. I suggested earlier that the Catholics invent a new rosary where the majority of the prayers are said to Christ; the imbalance in the current practice indicates they prefer to pray to Mary.
Dave, with all respect, I'm seeing 53 "Hail Marys" against 12 "Our Fathers" or "Glory to the Fathers" in any given five-mystery Rosary. If this were a forest of 65 trees, 53 of which were pine and 12 of which were maple, would I be missing the forest for the trees if I looked own on it from a hill and called it a pine forest?
I guess I wasn't clear enough. You are counting trees. I asked you to look at the forest. But first, a very crucial question: Do you understand that Catholics use a Rosary to meditate upon tidbits from Christ's life?
The Joyful Mysteries:
(Monday and Thursday; and the Sundays from 1st Sunday of Advent until Lent.)
1. The Annunciation to Mary
Mary is here, but this is the moment we learn Jesus is conceived. Jesus 1, Mary 0
2. The Visitation of Mary
Mary fgoes to visit Elizabeth and John jumps in the womb for joy. Elizabeth recognizes Mary as the Mother of the Lord. Jesus 2, Mary 0
3. The Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ
Excessive focus on Mary? Nah. Jesus 3, Mary 0
4. The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple
Jesus 4, Mary 0
5. The Finding of Our Lord in the Temple
Jesus 5, Mary 0
The Sorrowful Mysteries:
(Tuesday and Friday; and the Sundays of Lent.)
1. The Agony of Christ in the Garden
No mention of Mary at all. Jesus 6, Mary 0
2. The Scourging at the Pillar
Jesus 7, Mary 0
3. The Crowning with Thorns
Jesus 8, Mary 0
4. The Carrying of the Cross
Jesus 9, Mary 0
5. The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord on the Cross
Jesus 10, Mary 0
Glorious Mysteries:
(Wednesday and Saturday; and the Sundays from Easter until Advent.)
1. The Resurrection of Our Lord
Jesus 11, Mary 0
2. The Ascension of Our Lord
Jesus 12, Mary 0
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles
Jesus 13, Mary 0
4. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven
OK, Jesus is the actor here and Mary the actee, but I'll give you this one. Jesus 13, Mary 1
5. The Coronation of Our Lady as Queen of Heaven and Earth
Ditto. Jesus 13, Mary 2
I could see awarding a half point maybe for the first two (Annunciation and Visitation) cause they are Mary-heavy. So it could be scored Jesus 12, Mary 3.
But that's it. If you said a bunch of prayers while thinking about these life vignettes, whom would you be thinking of?
SD