Theology Thursday - Rosarium Virginis Mariae 1-8

Today, I figured we could start looking at the Apostolic Letter from John Paul the Great entitled Rosarium Virginis Mariae (The Rosary of the Virgin Mary). It's a very reverent and uplifting document of the church and a great reminder of the wonderful gift we have in the rosary and that we should all pray it.

At the beginning, the Pope states that the rosary is "simple yet profound," the hardest part of the rosary is probably the apostles' creed at the beginning. other than that, the rosary is prayed with 3 short prayers and focused on events in the life of Christ. Most people don't realize that although the rosary appears to be totally Marian (and sometimes as worshipping Mary to the non-catholic), the rosary is really a prayer centered on Christ.

He continues in the next section by describing how many Popes have exaulted the wonders of the rosary. John Paul even said that the rosary is his favorite prayer. Do to the many graces he received from the rosary, he dedicated most of his papacy to the rosary. In our experiences, we can all relate to the joy and sorrow expressed in Christ's life through the rosary. "Thus the simple prayer of the Rosary marks the rythm of human life."

In the fouth section, we see where people, even within the Church that might have problems with the rosary. The first objections is that the only prayer they should be concerned with is the Liturgy. However, Paul VI tells us that the rosary doesn't take anything away from the Mass, but sustains it as it brings the Liturgy into our daily lives by meditating on the events in Christ's life. Others think that the rosary may turn off people from other religions because it is praying to Mary. But, the rosary is Christological to its core. The 20 mysteries are based on Christ's life. Also when we honor someone's mother, we honor them, and so it is with Mary and Jesus. The relationship a son has to his mother even comes up in modern culture. Remember Yo' Momma jokes? They were started as a way to really insult someone by slandering their mother. So, with the rosary, the reverse is true, by saying good things about Christ's mother we are raising him up. Also, I've noticed more and more non-catholics taking a liking to the rosary. Many of my co-workers here ask me if I'm currently making a rosary and if they can see it, some of them (non-catholic) even want me to make one for them. I knew an agnostic at my last job who said that he likes and respects the rosary. My friend's wife is a Baptist and prays and even makes rosaries on her own. The Anglicans are even trying to get in on the act, I've heard more people saying they have an "Anglican rosary." I don't have a problem with other religions having prayer beads, but personally I don't like calling it a rosary. I'll stick with Anglican chaplet. So, I see many people outside of the Catholic faith that are drawn towards the rosary.

The most important reason to encourage the rosary is that of self-discipline and spirituality. Both of which seem to be harder and harder to find in today's world. As the rosary is a simple prayer made up of only a few small prayers it is easily taken up on a regular basis and can be prayed anywhere. I believe that God made humans, living rosaries. As long as you can remember which mystery on which you are supposed to be meditating ^_- all you need to do is to use 10 things to keep track of your prayers. Now, how many fingers do you have? In a pinch, you can just count on your fingers.

Historically, the rosary has been used to pray for peace locally and throughout the world. With terrorists attacks, rebels in Iraq trying to start a civil war, Muslim extremists rioting over cartoons in totally other parts of the world, Hamas being elected into national government to increase tensions in the holy lands, the rosary can be a very powerful tool for peace. Also, with traditional family being threatened with homosexual marriages, sexual molestations, high divorce rates, abortions, pre-marital sex, the rosary can be a powerful prayer where remember the familial relationship between Christ and His mother.

Christ himself asked his apostles to treat Mary as their own mother as he stated "Woman, behold your son!" and "Behold, your Mother" in John 19:26-27. Many Christians since then have followed in these footsteps by calling on Mary, their spiritual Mother, in times of need just as they would call on their own mother as a child.

Paix du Christ!