by moogdroog » March 23rd, 2009, 8:13 pm
I try to pray the Rosary on a daily basis, and it is one of my primary ways of approaching God, alongside Eucharistic Adoration. It is a very beautiful prayer. It has enormous depth - depth and meaning I can't comprehend. Praying the Rosary allows you to be led to Christ by the hand of the one who knew him best - His mother.
The Rosary is quite a common prayer (and prayer tool) for Catholics. I think it originated around the fourth century, and so is common to the Orthodox and Catholic church, although I think they differ slightly in structure, and some of the prayers said at the beginning and end. I also think the Rosary is more common to Roman Catholics than Orthodox, but I am unsure on that. It is interesting to note that the method of praying on a rope, or beads, is common to many different faiths and religions - I think the repetitive nature of counting knots or beads helps with meditation.
It is also a surprisingly 'difficult' prayer (at least, I find it so), in terms of maintaining concentration, and consistently focusing on the scenes for meditation.