Here is a different way of thinking about praying the rosary. While praying the Holy Rosary is often thought to be a personal and private devotion, I have participated in communal recitation of the rosary throughout my entire life.
As an elementary Catholic school student, we would pray the Joyful mystery of the rosary after the May crowning of Mary. Then as a high school Catholic student our entire school would recite the rosary during the month of October at the conclusion of our weekly Mass. My family also would get down on our knees to pray the rosary after our evening meal. This wasn't routinely done but was said either for special intentions or during the months of May and October.
Certain parishes that I have attended would have informal unscheduled rosary recitation before Mass usually on weekdays. Each decade would be led by various parish members which would often be a spontaneous response.
The so called Funeral Rosary is normally led by a priest. The Glorious mystery is commonly used. It was comforting to me to have this rosary service said for my husband. Since there were many non Catholics present, the priest explained what it was and how long it would last. He offered a gracious way for people to opt out of staying or to stay and not feel that they needed to participate. However many chose to stay.
Because I am familiar with the rosary being said as a group, I like praying the rosary using several of the podcasts on Laudate. I pray out loud along with others on the podcast. These podcasts bring in different themed meditations about the mysteries and they keep, for me at least, a fresh perspective. (See URL below)
I was taught in Catholic school that saying the rosary is like giving a bouquet of prayers to Our Lady. So if I want to present her with a beautiful varied bouquet, I will pray all of the mysteries on the recommended days of the week but as others have said it is all a personal choice. Below are explanations of why the rosary can be considered a communal prayer and when it is to be prayed.
"Catholics often use the rosary as a form of communal prayer. Many Catholics pray the rosary together as a group, either in a church setting or in a more informal setting such as a family gathering. Praying the rosary as a group can create a sense of unity and shared purpose, as well as providing an opportunity for people to support one another in prayer. When people come together to pray the rosary, they are united in their shared experience of praying and meditating. This sense of unity and common purpose can be a powerful reminder of how faith can bring people together."
"A rosary service is a part of funeral rites that take place in the Catholic tradition. A rosary service is typically held the night prior to the burial of someone who has passed away. Rosary services are generally open to anyone who wishes to attend. It is also common for the rosary service to be held at the same time the wake or viewing is taking place."
"During the funeral vigil, pray the Glorious Mysteries. We pray the Glorious Mysteries because they are the mysteries concerned with Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus dies in the Sorrowful Mysteries, but he conquers death in the Glorious Mysteries."
"October is designated by the Catholic Church as the "Month of the Rosary" because in this month the Church celebrates the Marian advocation of "Our Lady of the Rosary" on Oct. 7.
The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, also celebrated as Our Lady of Victory or Victories, was established by Pope St. Pius V in 1571 to celebrate the miraculous victory of the Christian forces in the Battle of Lepanto on Oct. 7 of that year. Previous to the decisive battle, St. Pius V had requested all Western Christians to pray the rosary; thus he attributed the victory to the power of the Marian prayer rather than the power of ships and cannons. "
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