We may know how to pray the rosary and why to pray the rosary, but when is a good time to pray the rosary? Here are some suggestions:
- When we feel anxious or depressed. We have all experienced periods of despair or worry. The rhythm of the rosary calms our minds and hearts and fears, leaving us more hopeful and less worried.
- When we face uncertainty. Often we need to make a decision but the right path is not clear. We can gain confidence in our discernment when we entrust it to Mary in the rosary knowing she, who is truly our Mother, will only guide us to God's will, our ultimate path to happiness.
- When we are suffering. Whether our suffering is physical, emotional or spiritual, meditating on the Sorrowful Mysteries can remind us to unite them to Christ's sufferings and teach us how to suffer with dignity as He did.
- When we feel disconnected. It's not uncommon to feel a little distant or disconnected in our relationship with God, especially if our prayer routine has been neglected or we are experiencing a period of dryness in our spiritual life. Meditating on the details of the lives of Mary and Jesus will draw us closer to them and fan the flame of love. Imagine that in holding the beads of the rosary, we are holding Mary's hands.
- When we are busy. It is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. The rosary provides a way to slow down, take a break from scrolling through screens, and give us true rest.
- When we fall into temptation. We all fall. We are all weak. The rosary fortifies us with grace and strengthens our resolve in our daily fight against sin. Mary has dominion over Satan and is eager to protect her children from him.
- When we feel small and helpless. Let's face it, the myriad of problems in the world presented through social media and news outlets can leave one feeling powerless to do anything about them. With the rosary in our hands, we have access to one of the most powerful solutions to even the biggest problems. Mary told the children of Fatima, “Say the Rosary every day, to bring peace to the world and an end to the war.”
- When we have intentions. We have many people we would like to include in our daily prayers such as godchildren, family members, friends; as well as persistent petitions like an end to abortion, the souls in purgatory and our priests, bishops and Holy Father. It can be overwhelming to try to pray for each separately. We can lay each of these in Mary's mantle during our rosary each day, knowing she is the most powerful and attentive advocate.
This list makes a great case for a daily rosary routine. Most of us experience one of the above on a daily basis. Not sure when to find time to pray a daily rosary? How about during exercise? While waiting in line or at a doctor's office? While getting ready for the day? Or listen on our website while you clean!
If you didn't get your rosary in by bedtime, start it when you go to bed and ask your guardian angel to finish it up if you fall asleep!
Just as two friends, frequently in each other's company, tend to develop similar habits, so too, by holding familiar converse with Jesus and the Blessed Virgin, by meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary and by living the same life in Holy Communion, we can become, to the extent of our lowliness, similar to them and can learn from these supreme models a life of humility, poverty, hiddenness, patience and perfection."
Pope St. John Paul II
