Difficulties in Praying the Rosary

(Sharing at the Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help on 16 October 2010)

My dear friends,

Today’s sharing is on “The Difficulties in Praying the Rosary” and I would like to begin by sharing with you an experience. It is an experience that all of us go through each day in all seasons. It is called “DAWN”.

Many of us have seen the word ‘dawn’ in songs and movies but may not be aware that ‘dawn’, although often associated with ‘emergence of light after a period of darkness’ is not sunlight itself.

Dawn is the time that marks the beginning of twilight before sunrise.  It should not be confused with sunrise. It is the period of time in-between night and morning where it is the coldest and darkest. It is the time where we do not wish to wake up, especially those of us who have to work or go to school in the next few hours. It is the time where things seem lifeless as there is nothing much going around. It is the time where our surroundings look eerie. In short, dawn is the dragging moment before sunrise.

As dawn progresses, faint beams of sunlight began to emerge. Slowly, the sun rises from the horizon, illuminating our land and bringing light back to our world once more. As we wake up, activities began. Those of us who work, goes to work. Children who are schooling go to school. Those of us who are holy go to Church, singing praises to God for a new day! Indeed, the coldest, darkest part of the night has passed.

My dear friends,

Starting to pray the Rosary may be like “dawn” to some of us. We may feel distracted or discouraged as it may be perceived to be long and repetitive. After all, we are praying five decades of Hail Mary’s, which may seem ‘long’, not forgetting the Our Father, Glory Be and Apostles’ Creed.

Perhaps we may be lazy, just like during dawn when we are in slumberland, not wishing to wake up.

It may also be difficult in keeping focus on the Mysteries as very often our minds tend to wander and let distracting thoughts enter.

Or, perhaps we may be facing some of life’s challenges which may seem overwhelming.

In other words, the process of starting to pray the Rosary is like the coldest and darkest part before morning comes.

But, just like we endure the chill and lifelessness of dawn, we need to endure the ‘dawn’ in our minds which takes us away from meditating upon the Holy Mysteries of the Rosary. Some ways could be:

• Try not to let ourselves float and slide and be carried away by imagination.

• When tired and without much focus, "concentrate" on the peaceful repetition of the Hail Mary’s, entering its rhythm and imaging to be in the company of Mary.

• If we are in somewhat better disposition, let us try to focus on images of Jesus, Mary or scenes of their lives as in the Mysteries. Look at and contemplate what we see, while praying the different decades. It will lead us to a reflection on the deeper meaning of each one of the Mysteries.

• In a special manner, let us also try to develop a personal habit to pray the Rosary in company with Mother Mary.

A Redemptorist priest once shared that praying the Rosary is like making and putting a crown of roses on Mother Mary’s head; each bead representing one rose.

Just like the flow that comes after dawn, daybreak will emerge as sunlight appears slowly and surely. The Rosary brings hope just like daybreak, which heralds morning. Mother Mary has promised that whoever prays the Rosary shall receive special protection and the greatest graces. Indeed, Mother Mary is like morning after dawn and that is why she was bestowed with the title “Morning Star.”

Praying the Rosary and overcoming the ‘dawn’ that distracts us from praying are our best ways to reach Our Mother of Perpetual Help and seek her intercession to pray with us and for us.