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Most people, when asked about the rosary, might well say, "It's a string of beads used in prayer". In fact the beads are used as a help to memory as a Roman Catholic engages in the rosary.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church regards "devotion to the Blessed Virgin" as "intrinsic to Christian worship". The rosary, part of Marian prayer and an "epitome of the whole Gospel", is an expression of this devotion, and its use seems to have developed during the medieval period, being endorsed by Pope Plus V in 1569. The Feast of the Rosary is celebrated on 7 October, the anniversary of the naval victory over the Muslim Turks in Lepanto in 1571.
Up till now there have been fifteen elements in the rosary divided into three groups. The first covers the 'joyful mysteries' in the Gospels; the announcement by the angel Gabriel to Mary of the miraculous conception; the visit of Mary to Elizabeth; the birth of the Saviour; the presentation of the baby Jesus in the Temple; and the discovery of Him talking with the priests in the Temple.
The 'sorrowful mysteries' are the Lord's agony in Gethsemane; His scourging; His crowning with thorns; the carrying of the cross; and the crucifixion itself.
The 'glorious mysteries' are the resurrection; the ascension; the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost; the bodily ascent of Mary into heaven; and her crowning in heaven by the Lord.
A meditation on each 'mystery' is followed by the Lord's Prayer said once, then ten Hail Marys, and "Glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit" once.
Recently it has been reported that Pope John Paul II, in Rosarium Virginis Mariae, a document of thirty nine pages, has added five 'mysteries of light'. These are Jesus' baptism; His self-disclosure at the marriage at Cana; His proclamation of the Kingdom; the transfiguration; and the institution of the eucharist (Lord's Supper).
The Pope is said to have indicated that the devotion is Christocentric, contemplating "with Mary the face of Christ". Similarly the Catechism claims that this devotion to Mary "differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration". The Catechism quotes from Vatican II's Lumen Gentium, and Paul VI's Marialis Cultus. Pope John Paul expresses the hope that the rosary might be a means of reconciling Christians, and he encourages using it through every week.
Having seen what the rosary means to Roman Catholics we can make three observations at least. First, whatever Rome may feel about devotion to Mary encouraging adoration of the Lord Jesus, we have to say that in practice it can have exactly the opposite effect in its emphasis on Mary, and in any case has no biblical warrant. The Scriptures encourage us to rejoice in the intimate spiritual union we have with the Saviour. There is no need, nor any room for another to come between us.
The second observation is this. However sincere users of the rosary may be, it is too easy for it to become a mechanical exercise, even if it were purged of its Marian significance. The constant uttering of set prayers can become nothing more than a mantra, reminding us of the Lord's warning about vain repetitions.
Thirdly, we could regard the rosary as a challenge to our own praying. We can become mechanical too. Could we not profit, though, by ourselves deliberately and spiritually meditating on episodes in our Lord's life so that it stirs up our love for Him, enlivening our praise, and lending an earnest confidence to our biblically based intercession?
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