Do you ever space out during prayer? Do you space out while praying the Rosary? This happens to me. I find that it happens when I’m not intentional about my prayers at that moment.

For me the difference between a great Rosary and a “Have I even been praying?” Rosary is my attention on the mysteries.

I typically prepare a lens through which I see each mystery. I change these lenses from time to time.

Lately, these are my lenses for the five glorious mysteries:

1. Resurrection. I picture the body of Christ dead and immobile. There is a big flash of light and then the burial clothes begin to move. He stands with a victorious smile of triumph on His face. Then He looks at me.

2. Ascension. Lately, I just see His feet. The feet have the wounds in them. He is in a cloud, but His feet are still visible.

3. The Coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. I picture the Holy Spirit like a dove hovering in front of me. Sometimes He circles me. I think of this as His way of giving me grace and gifts.

4. Assumption of Mary. I see her being lifted upward. She has a blue ribbon and invites me to hold on. By this I understand that she is dragging me to Heaven. She is already in Heaven, but I’m not there yet. This is how she gives me hope in Christ.

5. Coronation of Mary. I see a Trinitarian crowning. Each divine Person gives her a ringlet of the crown. Hence, it’s a triple crown. The Holy Spirit has a unique crown for Mary. Her Divine Son has a unique crown for her. The Eternal Father has a unique crown for her. It’s a triple tiara. It’s as if graces flow from Christ to her by means of this special crown. Last of all, I crown her with my meager crown of roses from this Rosary.

If I meditate on these mysteries with specific imagery, then I will enjoy a more fruitful time of prayer. The Rosary can even become a form of mental prayer. There are times when I pick up the beads entirely empty, but I receive great consolation or teaching. That’s rare. Most of the time, I must bring something and God elevates what’s already present.

Now it’s your turn. How do you pray the Rosary? Do you have a unique perspective on the mysteries of the Rosary? [reminder]

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