Why You Should Pray the Rosary

The Rosary has been prayed by Catholics all around the world for many reasons, ranging from personal Marian devotions to prayer requests from figures such as Pope Pius V before the Battle of Lepanto. In a certain sense, the Rosary itself has become an archetype of Catholic prayer practices. However, the intent of this article is not to provide a history lesson on the Rosary, but to show the reader the importance of the Rosary, and why everyone should consider making it a part of their prayer life.

It is first important to establish what the Rosary is, and how it is prayed. The Rosary is a prayer to honor the Virgin Mary and is composed of the Apostle’s Creed, followed by an Our Father, three Hail Mary’s, and a Glory Be, usually said for the pope’s intentions. After the initial prayers are completed, there is a set of five decades- each decade is composed of an Our Father followed by 10 Hail Mary’s, a Glory Be, and usually a Fatima Prayer, however other prayers can be added. Each decade corresponds to a certain mystery that one meditates on while reciting the Rosary, these mysteries correspond to a certain day of the week and traditionally are: The Glorious, Joyful, Sorrowful, and Luminous.

The first and most personal motivation one might have for praying the Rosary is the joy it brings to one’s soul. In the words of St. Louis de Montfort, “Never will anyone who says his Rosary every day be led astray. This is a statement that I would gladly sign with my blood.” St. Louis is not alone in his love of the Rosary; throughout the ages, the faithful have been drawn to the Rosary and the graces and promises that follow its diligent recitation. Our Lady revealed to St. Dominic a list of promises that Heaven will provide to those who make known their intentions in the Rosary. One of these promises corresponds to St. Louis’ sentiment, when the Virgin Mary proclaimed, “I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.”

Additionally, the Rosary is an excellent prayer to say with the family. Pope John Paul II once remarked about the Rosary, “How beautiful is the family that recites the Rosary every evening.” The Rosary is, in addition to being an exceptional prayer for one’s spiritual growth, a great way to bond with the family. During school breaks it may be a worthwhile endeavor to see if you can set aside time to say a Rosary with your family as it only takes about 15 minutes.

The Rosary offers the graces of faith, hope, and charity to those who faithfully recite it, but it can also be directed to ask for Heavenly assistance in greater concerns of life. Regarding how Catholics can aid in calls for greater world harmony, Pope Pius XI said this, “If you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes, and in your country, assemble each evening to recite the Rosary. Let not even one day pass without saying it, no matter how burdened you may be with many cares and labors.” As students we often find ourselves too distracted by academic life; however it is important to keep your priorities in order, it is prudent that one tends to their spiritual needs and the Rosary is a great tool provided to us to achieve this.

Many people may ask how they can go about reciting the Rosary in a diligent and meaningful way. The best advice for this is to get a group together – ask some friends to just spend a few minutes each day in recitation of the Rosary (perhaps between classes or at night) whenever the time can be found. It is great to pray with friends because of the mutual bonds we form in the faith. Christ himself spoke of the importance of praying with friends, “For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them” (Mt. 18:20).