St John Paul II's Gift for Us

Twelve years ago this month, St. John Paul II left us a gift, one of the many treasures he left us during his long pontificate.

This particular gift was given to him when he was a child, and he lovingly passed it on to us to be rediscovered and appreciated anew: the rosary.

In 2002 the pope issued his apostolic letter “Rosarium Virginis Mariae,” the Rosary of the Virgin Mary, and delved into the richness of this traditional prayer. It had become devalued in recent times, the pope wrote, but was the perfect prayer for the new millennium, “destined to bring forth a harvest of holiness.”

At the time, St. John Paul II saw the many challenges faced by families, and throughout the world “the need to implore from God the gift of peace.” The answer, he said, was in the rosary.

Twelve years later, we need the rosary more than ever. Now, after celebrating the newly canonized saint's feast day and during the month of the rosary, let's renew our efforts.

If you have never regularly prayed the rosary, now would be a good time to start. If you have been praying it faithfully, you might consider reading (or re-reading) the apostolic letter, to learn from a master how to unite yourself with Mary to contemplate the face of God.

The rosary, St. John Paul II said, will conform us to Christ and allow us to not just know Jesus’ teaching, but to know Him and proclaim Him.

The pope teaches us that the rosary is not just a “mechanical repetition of formulas” but a way to remember the events of our salvation. “Those events not only belong to ‘yesterday,’” he reminds us, “they are also part of the ‘today’ of salvation.”

And “to ‘remember’ them in a spirit of faith and love is to be open to the grace which Christ won for us by the mysteries of His life, death and resurrection.”

St. John Paul II's writing is eloquent, yet easy to understand, with helpful tips that might enhance you or your family’s prayer.

A few of those suggestions:

-Announce each mystery of the rosary, perhaps even use an icon to portray it.

-Follow with “the proclamation of a related biblical passage, long or short, depending on the circumstances.”

“No other words can ever match the efficacy of the inspired word," he said. "As we listen, we are certain that this is the word of God, spoken for today and spoken ‘for me.’”

-Be silent. Pause and focus attention on the mystery before moving into vocal prayer.

-Then say the Our Father. “After listening to the word and focusing on the mystery, it is natural for the mind to be lifted up towards the Father.”

-Pray the Hail Marys, drawn from the words spoken by Mary to the Angel Gabriel and by Saint Elizabeth, contemplating in adoration the mystery of that decade.

Note that the name of Jesus is the "hinge" between the two parts of the prayer. Reverently pause at His name or add a clause related to the mystery. For example, in the Fifth Joyful Mystery (the finding of our Lord in the temple), you could say: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, found in the temple.

-Pray the Gloria (Glory Be), not just as a “perfunctory conclusion,” but to raise your heart and mind “to the heights of heaven.”

Some other things to keep in mind as you pray:

-The beads are more than a counting mechanism. Notice that “the beads converge upon the Crucifix.”

 “The life and prayer of believers is centered upon Christ. Everything begins from Him, everything leads toward Him, everything, through Him, in the Holy Spirit, attains to the Father.”

The beads also “evoke the unending path of contemplation and of Christian perfection.” They are a chain that links us to God, a “sweet chain.”

And for parents who are reluctant to pray the rosary with their children:

“Why not try it? With God’s help, a pastoral approach to youth which is positive, impassioned and creative – as shown by World Youth Days! – is capable of achieving quite remarkable results.”

Alone or with others, give the rosary a try, St. John Paul II encourages us.

“Dear brothers and sisters! A prayer so easy and yet so rich truly deserves to be rediscovered by the Christian community. Let us do so . . .”

Inspired by the Year of Faith, Susan Szalewski began writing weekly columns for us. Although that year is over, we liked them so well that we asked her to keep writing. Thankfully, she said yes. So watch for these on Thursdays and see the Year of Faith Blog here.