The Rosary: A prayer for when you can’t find the words

Sometimes in the evening when I was a child, my family would gather in the living room to pray the Rosary. Sitting in a circle together on the couch, chairs, and floor, we would work our way through the mysteries, praying Hail Mary after Hail Mary.

At the time, as our voices rose and fell together, I didn’t always feel a strong spiritual connection. But I recognized those times as special. My parents seemed so deeply absorbed. I was intrigued—and a little bit hungry for some of what they were finding in that prayer.

I remember sitting there worrying about whether I would flub a Hail Mary when it was my turn to lead—and sometimes I did. But we would simply keep going, voices carrying the thread I had dropped, as we sent our prayers toward heaven.

Over the years, I’ve come to love the Rosary. As life has presented its twists and turns, I’ve discovered that there are times when the Rosary is like a lifeline—a simple and beautiful connection to our Blessed Mother and to Jesus.

Sometimes, when a problem is so heavy and so significant, the Rosary is just the prayer I need. When I can’t find the words to convey the weight of an intention, the Rosary provides a path to connection. When the words won’t come, the Rosary gives me words to say.

Several years ago, some members of my husband’s family were in a car accident out of town. We got a call with hardly any details. All we knew was that everyone was heading to the hospital. We felt helpless and scared. I didn’t know what to do. And then I thought of the Rosary.

While my husband fielded phone calls, trying to get information, I turned to the words of familiar prayers I’ve been repeating since I was a child. I’ll never know whether those prayers made a difference in the outcome. Eventually we learned that everyone was fine. But those prayers certainly helped me, helping me remember that we were not alone, that our Blessed Mother was there to offer comfort, and that God was with the people we loved who were hours away.
Every October, we celebrate the month of the Rosary. This time of year offers a gentle invitation to try this beautiful prayer, or to try it again, if you already have. It’s based in Scripture, and you can pray it alone or in a group.

The Rosary might not be the prayer for you. Or it might not be the prayer for you at this time in your life. But you might find it’s just what you’re looking for as we ask God to help us address the problems of our troubled world.
Like a familiar song, the rhythm of the prayers opens a pathway to God. Its simple, powerful repetition can offer such comfort and peace.

Rita Buettner, Catholic Review, October 14, 2023 (Adapted)

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