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The Rosary Chronicles


I admit that everything I'm about to tell you is entirely subjective. You would have to become convinced that such a devotion is not contrary to the word of God. Ultimately the only way this takes place is by trusting the Church who gives the devotion to us.

I have prayed the Rosary regularly since I was received into the Catholic Church. I have found that it is a comfortable place to express all my prayers, and not simply the ones that are contained within this devotion. I am tempted like anyone else not to pray, but I have begun to enjoy the contemplation of it, and the unexpected moments that come with praying it consistently.

For reasons I do not understand, I have been drawn to the Sorrowful Mysteries for quite some time. I have begun to suspect that I continue to contemplate the Sorrowful Mysteries for some reason that I do not yet see, or some person I am aiding that perhaps I have not met.

Yesterday, in the middle of the fourth mystery, I felt distinctly that the Blessed Mother was hearing my prayer. It felt like a hug, a tender embrace from someone who dearly loves me. I can't back that up; I wouldn't base any major life decisions on it, but it was real as far as I know.

There is something central about the Passion of Christ. No matter how many different things we could choose to argue about, we cannot get away from the centrality of His suffering and death for us. There is no reason why we would want to, but it is worth articulating: "in him we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins."

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