Those from Protestant backgrounds often think of the physical string of beads with an attached cross or crucifix when they hear the word “rosary.” They think of people clutching beads and praying repetitively, offering adoration to Mary. Seeing the item as a tool for idolatry and mindless prayer, Protestants have largely rejected the rosary.
But what is the rosary? In all our haste to cast away this Catholic tradition, we do not pause to properly understand it or the purpose for its use.
The rosary is actually a form of prayer combined with meditation on mysteries or events from Jesus’ life. The beads are an important part of prayer, but the rosary is not meant to be a talisman or sa pecial item used to gain salvation. Instead, Catholics and others utilize this tool to bring them into a place where they can commune with God.
Of course, the rosary is not without controversy or concern. Protestants have rightly raised issues with components of the use of this form of prayer and devotion. However, it can be easy to misunderstand this traditional practice if we are too quick to form judgments and less likely to listen to other perspectives. Other Christians, including Protestants, use something similar as a tool for prayer and meditation.
How Do Catholics Pray the Rosary?
Catholics advocate that the rosary utilizes Scripture-based prayers and is centered on Christ. They practice the rosary to draw closer to God and meditate on His love and power. Most versions of the rosary start with a recitation of the Apostles’ Creed, an ancient statement that believers throughout the ages have used to establish orthodox doctrine.
After this, the person praying will move to the first bead and pray the Lord’s prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). Jesus gave the disciples this prayer to help them learn to pray, and Catholics use this prayer in a number of cycles while praying the rosary, including after each round of meditating on a mystery.
Next comes a hail Mary, which is mainly based on Gabriel’s words to Mary in Luke 1:28: “And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women” (KJV). This recitation of Scripture is usually followed by a request for prayers from Mary, who is addressed as the “Mother of God.”
Then, a doxology known as the “Glory Be” is recited. This is a short doxology commonly used within the Roman Catholic Church for worship. According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, this part of the rosary includes the words: “Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was, in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen.”
Following this recitation begins the cycles of meditation on the mysteries, including the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous Mysteries – each day of the week rotates between these four. The person praying the rosary will think about events from the Bible and tradition, a practice that invites inner quietness. Within the Joyful Mystery are the events of the announcement of Jesus’ coming birth and Mary’s vital role in it, Mary’s visit with Elizabeth, the birth of Jesus, His presentation at the Temple, and the event of Him teaching at the Temple as a boy. The next mystery is the Sorrowful Mystery, which dwells on Jesus’ anguished prayers in Gethsemane, His flogging, being crowned with thorns, being forced to carry the cross, and His crucifixion. The Glorious Mystery includes Christ’s resurrection, ascension, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and two non-biblical events of Mary’s assumption and her crowning as queen of heaven. Finally, the Luminous Mystery encourages meditation on Jesus’ Baptism, the miracle at Cana, His proclamation of the Kingdom of God, the Transfiguration, and the giving of the Eucharist or the Lord’s Supper. Each mystery has five events that correspond with the five sections of the rosary.
A person will often repeat the Lord’s Prayer, multiple hail Marys, and the Glory Be doxology throughout the meditation of the mystery and before ending with a prayer known as “Hail, Holy Queen.” According to “How to Pray the Rosary” by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the final prayer of the rosary is: “O God, whose Only Begotten Son, by his life, Death, and Resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.”
The beads are set up so that a person can easily follow along with the cycles of prayers, starting with one bead, then three, and one before moving on to the five sets of ten known as decades, which are divided up by larger beads. Depending on the specific guide, though, the exact order of prayers may vary.
Understanding Concerns and Controversies around the Rosary
If we examine the rosary, a great deal of the pattern used for the prayers and meditations are biblical – since they are derived directly from Scripture, such as the Lord’s Prayer and Gabriel’s pronouncement to Mary. Most events included in the mysteries are also taken from Scripture. The individual is invited to think deeply about Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection, which is gospel-centered.
However, there are issues with the rosary in that directly addressing Mary in prayer is problematic doctrinally for Protestants and others. It is true that the Catholic teaching about the intercession of the saints emphasizes that the saints are praying for us, and Catholics deny that they are elevating Mary to a divine position. But to say that Mary, or any other Christian in heaven, can hear prayers assumes an omniscience that they do not possess. Scripture also does not show believers praying to dead saints or Mary.
Another problem within the rosary is the non-biblical events in the Glorious Mystery and the Marian titles of Mother of God, Queen of Heaven, and Holy Queen. The Bible does not ascribe these titles to Mary, nor does it mention her being taken into heaven or crowned as queen. Jesus alone is given the supreme title of royalty as the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16). Protestants and others would feel uncomfortable giving such high praise to Mary. Although she is an important example of a faithful Christian who willingly assented to God’s plans, she is still only human. And as Peter said when Cornelius wanted to fall at his feet in honor of him: “‘Stand up! I’m a human being just like you!’” (Acts 10:26, NLT).
Some believers would also have difficulty with the idea of reciting memorized prayers. They would fear that they are engaging in the vain repetitions that Jesus warned against (Matthew 6:7). When done mindlessly and as a way to control God or earn His pleasure, then the rosary would fall into this category. However, individuals who recite memorized prayers do not always do so mindlessly. Many people, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, utilize memorized prayers to enter a time of communion with the Lord, not to earn favor or control Him.
Non-Catholic Versions That Are Similar to the Rosary
Even before the rosary was officially instituted, Christians used similar practices, such as counting prayers by using stones and knotted ropes. Traditionally, prayer ropes are found among Eastern Orthodox Christians and are still used by them today – though, like the rosary, some only see the rope as a religious item and fail to understand how it can help them in prayer.
The Episcopal Church has blended the Catholic rosary and Orthodox prayer rope to create a version that is more adaptable for Anglicans and Protestants. Utilizing a string of 33 prayer beads, the Christian will pray a version of the rosary (known as the Anglican rosary or prayer beads) that emphasizes devotion to the Lord by replacing prayers to Mary with prayers to God, such as the simple Jesus prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” In this adapted rosary, the areas of questionable doctrine are cut out.
Having an item to touch and feel enables some Christians to better focus while praying and, if able to wear it or keep it in a pocket, reminds them to pray without ceasing as Scripture encourages (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The emphasis is on talking with God, whether through their own requests or written prayers, including ones from Scripture. Prayer beads, though, are more often found among groups that favor traditional liturgical worship, like Methodists and Lutherans, instead of others since, for many Protestants, the connection to the Catholic rosary is too strong.
Since Scripture does not command us to use or not use beads when praying, Christians have the freedom to choose whether to engage in this practice. If this ancient church tradition is helpful, then a believer can engage with a modified version of the rosary or another form of prayer beads with a clear conscience. However, those who believe the practice is too strongly associated with devotion to Mary have the freedom to abstain.
What matters is not necessarily the form of prayer we adopt or the use of beads but that we are seeking communion with our Lord through prayer.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Thérèse Westby
