PrayTheRosary Apostolate

Hello to all, and Merry Christmass.

That is to say, I hope the true meaning of this time is within your hearts and minds. It is so easy to forget at times; I pray that for myself and others we don't.

Any way, Have some questions , maybe I am repeating myself, guess that is okay:

1) Can you pray just one decade? For example, there is a difficult decision that has to be made, rather quickly, and for a source of clearing your mind, and comfort, you pray a decade, is that okay? But, you just don't know the proper Mystery to use, so you just pray a straight decade; can that be done?

2) In relation to the above question, can I use a ""decade only""  Rosary? It only has one decade of  Rosary Beads; I think that is called a chaplet?

3) Can Anglican-Catholics, Episcapolians (hope that is a word) pray the Rosary?

4) The Luminous Mysteries, are they ""optional"" or ""manditory"" for the Rosary?

5) I find the Rosary to be a ""super relaxing meditation"" before bed; gets to the point where I can so sleepy fast,  I just get so relaxed, all the days tension and troubles go away. I am not sure if that is a bad way to feel or not???

Hello dear member "Countcards"

Sorry we missed your post until now. We'll do our best to help you find the answers to your questions, and certainly invite other members to reply with their own thoughts and comments.

1) Can you pray just one decade?

Certainly! By all means, pray a decade of the Rosary for help in an immediate or difficult situation. If one cannot remember the particular assigned mystery, meditate upon any mystery, or the mystery most closely connected to the circumstance at hand. One should however, endeavor to pray the entire rosary daily, (five decades) and not habitually substitute "one decade."

2) In relation to the above question, can I use a ""decade only"" Rosary? It only has one decade of Rosary Beads; I think that is called a chaplet?

A one-decade rosary is just that...it includes only 10 beads for one decade, and may include the introductory beads of a full size rosary. It is designed for convenience. That is, one may carry a one decade rosary, instead of a full 59 bead rosary, but will still pray all 5 decades, simply praying around the decade five times. Many people like to hang a one-decade rosary in their car.

ANYONE may pray the rosary. The rosary is "non-denominational." The rosary is a meditation on the life of Our Lord, and the accomplishment of His plan of Salvation, producing Mary as its first fruit. The prayers are composed either by Our Lord, spoken by angels or characters of the Gospels and other Scripture. The prayers as such were "composed in Heaven" and should present no "problem" for anyone of any faith.

4) The Luminous Mysteries, are they ""optional"" or ""manditory"" for the Rosary?

Pope John Paul II stated in his - ROSARIUM VIRGINIS MARIAE that the inclusion of the Luminous Mysteries is

"left to the freedom of individuals and communities" and therefore are not mandatory. Please see our page HERE, scroll to the bottom for further explanation of why we pray the Rosary in its traditional form of 150 Hail Marys, or 3 sets of five decades.

5) I find the Rosary to be a ""super relaxing meditation"" before bed; gets to the point where I can so sleepy fast, I just get so relaxed, all the days tension and troubles go away. I am not sure if that is a bad way to feel or not???

What a wonderful way to feel! Many people pray their rosary before bedtime. If you find yourself falling asleep before finishing your prayers, it would be wise to move your prayer time up a bit, so that your prayers may be completed before actually falling asleep.

    Meditation should "open the mind and heart to God." So a proper meditation upon the mysteries of the rosary should produce a open and untroubled state of mind and heart, into which God may increasingly enter, as He Wills, for the spiritual benefit of that particular soul.