You probably have a rosary lying around your house somewhere. Maybe you received it as a Confirmation gift or picked one up when the sweet old lady was passing them out at church, but you don’t really know what to do with it.
If you remember praying the rosary as a kid as something that took a long time and was really boring, we encourage you to give it another try. (Click here for information on how to pray a traditional rosary.)
However, we realize that it takes some time to sit down and pray the rosary. Here are three other ways to use your rosary to pray that take a little less time. Try incorporating one into your prayer time today.
1. Chaplet of Divine Mercy
Opening Prayer: You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us. O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You!
Begin the Chaplet with the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Apostles’ Creed. Then, on the large bead before each decade pray: “Oh, what great graces I will grant to souls who say this Chaplet. Write down these words, my daughter. Speak to the world about My mercy; let all mankind recognize my unfathomable mercy. Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son,Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world”. St. Faustina’s Diary, 848
On the ten Hail Mary beads of each decade, say: For the sake of His sorrowful Passion,have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Concluding prayer: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One,have mercy on us and on the whole world. (repeat three times)
Optional Closing Prayer: Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.
2. Chaplet of the Adorable Sacrament
Opening Prayer: Begin with an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be for the intentions of the Holy Father.
Pray the following on the Our Father beads: Lord Jesus, I offer You my sorrow for the many sacrileges committed against You and the indifference shown You in the Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Then on the Hail Mary beads pray: Jesus, I adore You in the most Blessed Sacrament.
Closing Prayer: Holy Mother Mary, please present this prayer to your Son, Jesus, and bring consolation to His Sacred Heart. Please give Him my thanks for His divine presence in the Blessed Sacrament. He has treated us with mercy and love by staying with us. May my life be my thanksgiving prayer to Him. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.
3. Chaplet of St. Gertrude
Opening Prayer: Beginning at the Cross, pray the Apostles’ Creed. This is followed by Our Father, three Hail Marys and a Glory Be.
Starting on the Medal and then on the 4 large beads between each decade pray the Our Father.
On each of the Hail Mary beads, say the following prayer: Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in Purgatory, for sinners in the universal Church, those in my own home, and within my family. Amen
Saint Gertrude was told by Our Lord that each time the prayers of this Chaplet are said, 1,000 souls are released from Purgatory.
At the end of each set, say the following prayers: Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,open the hearts and minds of sinners to the truth and light of God, the Father. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for the conversion of sinners and the world. Also pray a Glory Be.
There are so many wonderful promises to those who pray these Chaplets. It is time to dig up your rosary, find a peaceful place, and begin to pray in a way that will allow you to grow deeper in your faith.
