Tom Drake, Johannesburg – Different folks, different strokes! I have always had a problem with set prayers rattled off in community, or perhaps even on one’s own. It seems to me that prayer is, or should be, a communion between oneself and Our Lord, or perhaps to a saint asking for intercession.
The words of a prayer, be they impromptu or set, should be said with the meaning in mind, with sincere intent, not rattled off with the object of “getting it over with”.
I have no problem with the saying of the rosary taking 20 minutes, being said with reverence and with the meaning of every word being sincerely intended; rather that than a 12-minute sprint where one might as well be reciting “Mary Had A Little lamb.”
I could be wrong; I have just as much trouble contemplating the different mysteries of the rosary whilst saying the prayers, perhaps because I cannot multitask.
My belief is that the words of the Hail Mary should be meant when said, not used as a background chant.
As I said, different strokes for different folks, and if it works for you, then that’s well and good. I just don’t think that anything is achieved by putting a stopwatch on the recital of the rosary, or any other prayer.
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