cms@gatech.edu (09/18/90)
In article <Sep.13.04.20.46.1990.24979@athos.rutgers.edu>, nlt@duke.cs.duke.edu (N. L. Tinkham) writes: > The Rosary discussion prompts me to pose to net.readers the > following query: > > From what I know of my temperament and my limited experience with > the Rosary, I sense that the form of meditation done in the Rosary is > a good one for me: the repetition of a group of phrases clears my mind > and calms my spirit so as to focus on the object of meditation. However, > I feel uncomfortable with the large number of "Hail Mary"s: while I > respect the role that Marian devotion plays in many people's prayer life, > I find that, for me, the veneration of Mary is more distracting than > helpful. > > Given that, are there Rosary-like prayer forms in the Christian > tradition that are not Marian devotions? (I am aware of the use of the > Jesus Prayer in Eastern tradition; I am hoping that there are other, > similar repetitive prayers in use.) Pointers to books or pamphlets > would be helpful, although even names and brief descriptions would > give a place to start in the library. I'm a great collector of different kinds of Rosaries; I have descriptions of how to pray over 40 different kinds. Mantras vary from Rosary to Rosary although the standard mantra is the Hail Mary. When suggesting different mantras to some devout Catholics, I've often gotten the response, "Oh, but you pray for xxx graces and without those Hail Marys..." :-). Regardless, the Old Dominican Rosary, which also has a slightly different set of mysteries (including Washing of the Disciples' Feet, the Incarnation instead of the Anuncation, etc.; I don't have my notes handy), uses three different mantras: Joyful Mysteries: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us. Sorrowful Mysteries: Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, have mercy on us. Glorious Mysteries: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. I have a whole list of mantras that I can post if you and others are interested. Francis of Assissi's peace prayer is a good mantra (try praying the first part for one decade, the second part for the next decade, or some variation thereof). There's also a booklet called "Christianica" for those who enjoy meditating on the mysteries of our Redemption but feel uncomfortable with the Rosary as a concept. It is divided into thirty mysteries. Here's the format. Step 1. Pray the Our Father Step 2. Read a Scripture verse relevant to the meditation Step 3. Pray the mantra (called the "refrain" in this booklet) Step 4. Read next verse in the passage Step 5. Pray mantra ("refrain") etc. I noticed there are ten verses (no surprise) Step 6. Recite concluding antiphon That looks confusing. Let me give the example in the booklet: The thirteenth meditation is "Riches." Step 1. Our Father Step 2. Pray: Jesus declared, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" (Lk 18:24) Step 3. Pray refrain: "Keep your life free from love of money, for the love of money is the root of all evils." (Hb 13:5;1Tim6:10) Step 4. Pray next verse: "For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Lk 18:25) Step 5. Think about the second verse as you pray the refrain. Step 6. After completing the verses, pray the antiphon: "Be content with what you have;" (well, I won't type it all) For group meditation, just like the Scriptural Rosary (if you've ever prayed it in a group), the Leader recites the Scriptural verses, the group recites the mantra (refrain). At any rate, here are the 30 Meditations of the Christianica: Part 1: The Prelude: 1. Creation and the Fall of Man 2. The Law and the Prophets 3. The Incarnation 4. The Nativity 5. The Precursor Part 2: The Metanoia 6. Temptation in the Wilderness 7. Miracles 8. The Beatitudes 9. Love 10. Compassion Part 3: The Paradox 11. Providence 12. Submission and Forgiveness 13. Riches 14. Almsgiving 15. Prayer Part 4: The Callenge 16. Persecution 17. Sin 18. Conversion 19. Marriage 20. Apostleship Part 5: The Climax 21. The Kingdom of God 22. The Church 23. The Eucharist 24. The Passion 25. The Crucifixion Part 6: The Triumph 26. The Resurrection 27. The Ascension 28. Pentecost 29. The Second Coming 30. The Last Judgment By the way, the meditations of the triumph are the same as the Glorious Mysteries of the Old Dominican Rosary. Well, hope this helps. Oh, yes: Christianica: The Basic Teachings of the Christian Faith arranged for Prayer and Meditation Christianica Center 6 North Michigan Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60602 Copyright 1975 > "For Christ plays in ten thousand places, Nancy Tinkham > Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his nlt@lear.cs.duke.edu > To the Father through the features of men's faces." rutgers!mcnc!duke!nlt -- Sincerely, Cindy Smith _///_ // SPAWN OF A JEWISH _///_ // _///_ // <`)= _<< CARPENTER _///_ //<`)= _<< <`)= _<< _///_ // \\\ \\ \\ _\\\_ <`)= _<< \\\ \\ \\\ \\ <`)= _<< >IXOYE=('> \\\ \\ \\\ \\_///_ // // /// _///_ // _///_ // emory!dragon!cms <`)= _<< _///_ // <`)= _<< <`)= _<< \\\ \\<`)= _<< \\\ \\ \\\ \\ GO AGAINST THE FLOW! \\\ \\ A Real Live Catholic in Georgia