- The touch of the beads. It's easy to downplay the senses, but Catholic theology certainly doesn't. Once you have prayed with something so many times, just the touch reminds you of the grace of God.
- The meditation on the Mysteries. There are four different sets of five mysteries about the life of Christ. For example, on Tuesdays and Fridays the Sorrowful Mysteries are meditated on: 1) Jesus in Gethsemane, 2) his flogging, 3) his crowning with thorns, 4) carrying the cross, 5) and finally, his crucifixion. During each decade (1 Our Father, 10 Hail Mary's, 1 Gloria) you meditate on one of these mysteries. For me, 12 different prayers is not enough time to due each of these events justice. Especially when,
- you're also trying to pray for other people. The rosary is a great time to intercede for others. I try to bring people into the cathedral in my soul--carved by God through my prayers--and passing the grace that is flowing in me to them.
- And the prayer itself, of course. The request and hope for the Kingdom in the six "Our Fathers," the acknowledgement of sin and plea for intercession, the praise of the Gloria.
It quickly becomes a juggling act, only God is directing the balls and I am just moving my hands. Often after the first decade I find myself spiritually surrendering, to the extent that I've rarely experienced in Protestant prayer in which there is always the pressure of turning my thoughts and imagination and everything else to God. The pressure is taken from me during the rosary. The Holy Spirit turns my thoughts. The Holy Spirit controls my imagination.
A spiritual freedom comes upon me, releasing even the burden of my own relationship with God. All I have to do is surrender, and he comes to me.
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