Praying the Rosary is a Catholic tradition,( it is also prayed by some high Anglicans). According to some Catholic traditions, the first Rosary was given to St Dominic in a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the year 1214.
Over the intervening years the Rosary has developed in many ways. It came under threat in Protestant Europe from 1517. Catholicism in Britain was changed forever in 1532 when Henry VII, broke with Rome in order to divorce his wife Catherine of Aragon so he could marry Anne Boleyn. The lack of a living son had Henry VIII, looking for a younger woman to give him a son,
The Reformation, in which Henry declared himself head of the Catholic church in England was the start of the decline of the monasteries, nunneries and the religious statues, icons and relics which had defined Catholicism for 1500 years.
At the end of his life Henry saw the damage he had caused and tried to stop it but it was far to late. His son Edward VI was a committed Protestant. He died at 15 and for 5 years England became Catholic again under Mary I. Bur after dying childless in 1558, she was succeeded by the Protestant Elizabeth 1 and Catholicism was swept aside but not defeated as many brave souls, priests and lay people kept the faith at great risk to themselves.
The penalty of being a Catholic priest in England was death. The laity lived under the threat of executions, being heavily fined or imprisoned.
It became illegal to own or pray a Rosary. Now in the 21st century it can be recited freely and openly in Christian countries.
The new threat to the Rosary and other devotions is the downturn in faith in God. people turn away from “outdated practices” denying God and living life in a purely secular way.
A lot of people do not even know what a Rosary is, or wear one as a piece of Jewellery , not realising the significance of this.
Praying the Rosary can bring many benefits, a sense of togetherness when said in a group either at home or in church, a sense of peace when prayed by one person who may have a lot of intentions included in their petitions.
The Rosary itself weighs very little but every time a bead is prayed on, it gains spiritual weight as each mystery is meditated on and each petition mentioned. The life of Jesus from his conception to death to resurrection and ascension into heaven is meditated on in the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries.
The beads are not only there to count the number of Our Fathers, Hail Mary’s and Glory Be’s as well as the Fatima blessings but to reflect on Jesus’and the Bible. Each prayer should be said with deep reverence and a well used and loved Rosary can be a great comfort in times of trouble and need.
It is a wonderful Baptism, Confirmation and New Convert gift as it is an item of beauty. It can be carried at all times and prayed anywhere. I often pray mine while walking to work or to Mass. There is nothing like being outside and having your Rosary beads in your hand.
Rosaries can be prayed for peace, for the conversions of souls, for the lapsed and lukewarm and for the healing of many difficult situations.
I pray everyday for our Holy Father’s intentions, for an increase in the vocation t the priesthood and the religious life and many other intentions.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you,
Blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus,
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and the hour of our death.
Amen
caroburt1 