Come and Pray the Rosary

At Fatima in 1917, Our Lady instructed three shepherd children to pray the rosary daily. Even today, Catholics find much comfort and peace by participating in this particular devotion. I know for me it has increased my faith in God and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Which shows the beautiful truth that praying the most holy rosary which Our Lady gave us every day is one of the best ways to grow in your faith spiritually.

Through contemplating the key events of Jesus’ life and His ministry while at the same time offering up our petitions to Jesus through the Blessed Virgin Mary, we become closer to God. In this article, I describe a four step method of praying the rosary which I found to be beneficial while pondering the mystery of the Wedding at Cana with Sacred Scripture verses to go along with it.

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding (John 2:1, 2, The New American Bible).

First, picture the Wedding at Cana mystery like it is happening right in front of you. Let the mystery play out like a movie you are watching by using your imagination. What do you see? Try to be as vivid as you possibly can by using your five senses. Is there a lot of guests present or only a little? Do you see the embarrassment of the couple running out wine? What do you hear? Do you hear the concern in Mary’s voice as she addresses the problem to her Son? What are the disciples saying?

When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ (And) Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servers, ‘Do whatever he tells you (John 2: 3-5 ).

Secondly, step into this mystery and be present as if you were really there during that time. What would you be doing if you were there? Would you be sitting next to Jesus and Mary at their table? Would you be helping the servers? Place yourself in each person’s shoes in this mystery thinking what it would feel like to be them. For example, think how it feel like to be the wedding guest, the couple, the disciples, Mary, Jesus etc.

Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now (John 2:6-10). 

Third, have a conversation with Jesus and even Mary. Come back to the present and talk to Jesus about what is on your heart as well as asking for the fruit of the mystery to be granted. Spend a few moments of silence with Him. As in all conversation, you must spend time listening, not only talking, so we must do the same with Jesus. Listen to Him and hear what He says. Pay attention to what He is calling you to do in your life and the next steps He wants you to take in doing His most Holy Will.

Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him (John 2:11 ). 

Lastly, the fourth step is to praise and thank God for bringing Him closer to you through prayer. Never end prayer without a grateful heart. The rosary is a beautiful means which we can talk to Jesus through Mary and we should bless God for it.

Of course, there are various ways to pray the rosary. Maybe you do audio rosaries, or family rosaries, scriptural rosaries, or even add extra prayers. However, I think the important thing is to truly try to make a daily habit of the rosary if you can. Being under the Blessed Virgin Mary’s protection and receiving her graces is such a glorious gift that we should never take it for granted. Whether you pray with this method or choose your own way, I pray that all Catholic Stand readers and staff have a special devotion to the rosary. For as Saint Louis de Montfort said, “Mary is the safest, easiest, shortest, and most perfect way of approaching Jesus.”