Mary Vitamin for October 7th
Topic: The instructions of John Paul II on praying the Rosary
(Feast of the Holy Rosary - October 7)
Quote:
John Paul II
"To pray the Rosary for children, and even more, with children, training them from their earliest years to experience this daily 'pause for prayer' with the family, is admittedly not the solution to every problem, but is a spiritual aid which should not be underestimated!"
Meditation:
A synopsis of John Paul II's teaching on how to pray the Rosary from Rosarium Virginis Mariae.
"Announcing each mystery, and perhaps even using a suitable icon to portray it, is as it were to open up a scenario on which to focus our attention" #29
"In order to supply a Biblical foundation and greater depth to our meditation, it is helpful to follow the announcement of the mystery with the proclamation of a related Biblical passage, long or short, depending on the circumstances. No other words can ever match the efficacy of the inspired word." #30
"Listening and meditation are nourished by silence. After the announcement of the mystery and the proclamation of the word, it is fitting to pause and focus one's attention for a suitable period of time on the mystery concerned, before moving into vocal prayer. A discovery of the importance of silence is one of the secrets of practicing contemplation and meditation." #31
"After listening to the word and focusing on the mystery, it is natural for the mind to be lifted up towards the Father. In each of his mysteries, Jesus always leads us to the Father, for as he rests in the Father's bosom (cf. John 1:18)" #32
" [The ten 'Hail Marys are] the most substantial element in the Rosary and also the one which makes it a Marian prayer par excellence… The centre of gravity in the Hail Mary, the hinge as it were which joins its two parts, is the name of Jesus. Sometimes, in hurried recitation, this centre of gravity can be overlooked, and with it the connection to the mystery of Christ being contemplated. Yet it is precisely the emphasis given to the name of Jesus and to his mystery that is the sign of a meaningful and fruitful recitation of the Rosary. "#33
"It is important that the Gloria, the high-point of contemplation, be given due prominence in the Rosary." #34
"[I]t is worthwhile to note that the contemplation of the mysteries could better express their full spiritual fruitfulness if an effort were made to conclude each mystery with a prayer for the fruits specific to that particular mystery." #35
"In order to supply a Biblical foundation and greater depth to our meditation, it is helpful to follow the announcement of the mystery with the proclamation of a related Biblical passage, long or short, depending on the circumstances. No other words can ever match the efficacy of the inspired word." #30
"Listening and meditation are nourished by silence. After the announcement of the mystery and the proclamation of the word, it is fitting to pause and focus one's attention for a suitable period of time on the mystery concerned, before moving into vocal prayer. A discovery of the importance of silence is one of the secrets of practicing contemplation and meditation." #31
"After listening to the word and focusing on the mystery, it is natural for the mind to be lifted up towards the Father. In each of his mysteries, Jesus always leads us to the Father, for as he rests in the Father's bosom (cf. John 1:18)" #32
" [The ten 'Hail Marys are] the most substantial element in the Rosary and also the one which makes it a Marian prayer par excellence… The centre of gravity in the Hail Mary, the hinge as it were which joins its two parts, is the name of Jesus. Sometimes, in hurried recitation, this centre of gravity can be overlooked, and with it the connection to the mystery of Christ being contemplated. Yet it is precisely the emphasis given to the name of Jesus and to his mystery that is the sign of a meaningful and fruitful recitation of the Rosary. "#33
"It is important that the Gloria, the high-point of contemplation, be given due prominence in the Rosary." #34
"[I]t is worthwhile to note that the contemplation of the mysteries could better express their full spiritual fruitfulness if an effort were made to conclude each mystery with a prayer for the fruits specific to that particular mystery." #35
Resolution:
For the Feast of the Holy Rosary, I will try one of the suggestions of the Holy Father for praying the Rosary with my family.
John Paul II says "If the Rosary is well presented, I am sure that young people will once more surprise adults by the way they make this prayer their own and recite it with the enthusiasm typical of their age group."#42
Marian Vow:
"The first field of Marian witness is the family to be conceived after the example of the Holy Family of Nazareth. In the family there must be a commitment never to omit time for daily prayer in common. The witness of prayer and Christian life on the part of parents is the primary and most effective form of education of their children."
Marian Seraphic Pathways, Directory #48
I give this resolution to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Thanks be to God for graces received.
Related sites: Castle of the Immaculate & AirMaria
__,_._,___
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please no anonymous comments. I require at least some way for people to address each other personally and courteously. Having some name or handle helps.
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.