Changes

The Catholic Church teaches that the words of prayers said absent-mindedly, without intention from the heart, soul, and mind, by merely "going through the motions" [[Indifference|indifferently]],<ref>What the Bible calls "vain repetition"—also called "rattling them off" as a mechanically repeated dead [[habit]] having no significant meaning, empty of content.</ref> offering only empty "lip service"<ref>"lip service" in condemned in Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8; Mark 7:6.</ref> with the willful distraction of thinking of other things as more important, without reverence and love in the lifting up of the heart and mind toward God, is a serious [[sin]] of irreverence. See [[Sacrilege]] and [[Blasphemy]], also [[Hypocrites]] and [[Pharisees]].

The Catholic Church teaches that the words of prayers said absent-mindedly, without intention from the heart, soul, and mind, by merely "going through the motions" [[Indifference|indifferently]],<ref>What the Bible calls "vain repetition"—also called "rattling them off" as a mechanically repeated dead [[habit]] having no significant meaning, empty of content.</ref> offering only empty "lip service"<ref>"lip service" in condemned in Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8; Mark 7:6.</ref> with the willful distraction of thinking of other things as more important, without reverence and love in the lifting up of the heart and mind toward God, is a serious [[sin]] of irreverence. See [[Sacrilege]] and [[Blasphemy]], also [[Hypocrites]] and [[Pharisees]].

The charge that devotion to Mary is a form of [[paganism]]<ref>Some [[Fundamentalism|Christian fundamentalists]] insist that the Catholic Rosary is a [[demon]]ic practice borrowed directly from pagan Hindus and Moslems, and that the title [[Queen of Heaven]] refers directly and '''''only''''' to [[Babylon]]ian [[Mesopotamian mythology|Ishtar]] and Phoenician [[Astarte]] and Egyptian [[Egyptian mythology|Isis]] instead of Mary, because the title is found in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+44%3A15-28&version=KJV Jeremiah 44:15-28] together with the burning of incense, and that this is proof that Catholics and Orthodox have substituted Mary/Istar/Astarte/Isis in place of the Son of God, Jesus, having thereby committed [[Apostasy]] from true Christianity. See [[Great Apostasy]] and [[''The Two Babylons'']] <br> See the general article [http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/cath/catholic.htm '''Roman Catholicism: Pagan or Christian?''' (rapidnet.com)], a critique of Catholic doctrines. Contains the argument that devotion to Mary makes of her a separate pagan goddess. <br> It should be noted that no Catholic is ever taught or told that the name of Mary actually refers to Isis, Ishtar, Astarte, Diana, Artemis, Hera, Juno, Gaia, or to any pagan mother goddess, or that they are to regard her as the sole source of saving grace apart from Jesus Christ, but to regard Mary herself, a real woman, blessed by God, as his most perfect servant and his beloved mother. Catholics utterly reject as absurd the notion that the devotion to Mary addressed to her is the same as the worship of adoration (Latin ''latria''), to be offered entirely separate and apart from devotion to her Son Jesus Christ in the Father with the Holy Spirit, one God.</ref> and the mindless uttering of merely empty "vain repetitions"<ref>KJV "vain repetitions", or "heaping up empty phrases" (RSV), Matthew 6:7-8.</ref> is regarded by Catholics as utterly absurd, and as part of an ongoing, centuries-old campaign of anti-Catholic Protestant [[polemic]] of [[defamation]], unfortunately based on [[misrepresentation]]s rooted in [[ignorance]] of its real meaning and intent. (See [[Libel]] and [[Slander]].) David J. Stewart, a popular [[Fundamentalism|fundamentalist]], states in his widely read column that, "Biblically, Mary was a dirty, rotten, vile, sinner—just like you and me, and everyone else!". And he states emphatically and unequivocally, "The Rosary is evil!"<ref>[https://jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/mary_is_nothing.htm Catholic Mary is Nothing! By David J. Stewart (jesus-is-savior)]</ref>

The charge that devotion to Mary is a form of [[paganism]]<ref>Some [[Fundamentalism|Christian fundamentalists]] insist that the Catholic Rosary is a [[demon]]ic practice borrowed directly from pagan Hindus and Moslems, and that the title [[Queen of Heaven]] refers directly and '''''only''''' to [[Babylon]]ian [[Mesopotamian mythology|Ishtar]] and Phoenician [[Astarte]] and Egyptian [[Egyptian mythology|Isis]] instead of Mary, because the title is found in [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+44%3A15-28&version=KJV Jeremiah 44:15-28] together with the burning of incense, and that this is proof that Catholics and Orthodox have substituted Mary/Istar/Astarte/Isis in place of the Son of God, Jesus, having thereby committed [[Apostasy]] from true Christianity. See [[Great Apostasy]] and [[''The Two Babylons'']] <br> See the general article [http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/cath/catholic.htm '''Roman Catholicism: Pagan or Christian?''' (rapidnet.com)], a critique of Catholic doctrines. Contains the argument that devotion to Mary makes of her a separate pagan goddess. <br> It should be noted that no Catholic is ever taught or told that the name of Mary actually refers to Isis, Ishtar, Astarte, Diana, Artemis, Hera, Juno, Gaia, or to any pagan mother goddess, or that they are to regard her as the sole source of saving grace apart from Jesus Christ, but to regard Mary herself, a real woman, blessed by God, as his most perfect servant and his beloved mother. Catholics utterly reject as absurd the notion that the devotion to Mary addressed to her is the same as the worship of adoration (Latin ''latria''), to be offered entirely separate and apart from devotion to her Son Jesus Christ in the Father with the Holy Spirit, one God.</ref> and the mindless uttering of merely empty "vain repetitions"<ref>KJV "vain repetitions", or "heaping up empty phrases" (RSV), Matthew 6:7-8.</ref> is regarded by Catholics as utterly absurd, and as part of an ongoing, centuries-old campaign of anti-Catholic Protestant [[polemic]] of [[defamation]], unfortunately based on [[misrepresentation]]s rooted in [[ignorance]] of its real meaning and intent. (See [[Libel]] and [[Slander]].) David J. Stewart, a popular [[Fundamentalism|fundamentalist]], states in his widely read column that, "Biblically, Mary was a dirty, rotten, vile, sinner—just like you and me, and everyone else'''!'''". And he states emphatically and unequivocally, "The Rosary is evil'''!'''"<ref>[https://jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/mary_is_nothing.htm Catholic Mary is Nothing! By David J. Stewart (jesus-is-savior)]</ref>

== History ==

== History ==

Soon after the development of this prayer-devotion of the 150 "Our Father"s, others began likewise using the "Angelic Salutation" (Luke 1:28). This was first mentioned as a devotion in Europe by St. Peter Damian, who died in 1072. This initial form of an abbreviated substitute for the chanted prayers of the Psalter was recommended as a devout remembrance of the wondrous, incomprehensible [[miracle]] of the [[Incarnation]] of God the Son when the angel [[Gabriel (archangel)|Gabriel]] came to Mary in [[Nazareth]] and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you".<ref>Luke 1:28</ref> Because Gabriel addressed Mary directly, her name was added to his salutation and said after the initial "Hail".<ref>See [https://www.dictionary.com/browse/hail "hail" definition (dictionary.com)]</ref> Saying this simple "Angelic Salutation" 150 times for the 150 Psalms of prophesy, with a devout intention of honoring the Incarnation and the mother of Jesus in praise of God, was deemed to be sufficient, because of its profound spiritual meaning within the whole of the mystery of salvation, and because it was uttered by an angel from heaven sent by God, Gabriel himself. He was the same angel who had appeared to the prophet Daniel. The simplest and most ignorant peasant could thus offer up his or her prayer of the heart in union with the official daily prayer of the whole Church to God, using words brought from heaven itself, remembering that the [[Logos|Word]] was made flesh and dwelt among us. The mouth uttered praise, and the mind was directed to the mystery of the Incarnation and the wonder of our salvation. It is also much shorter than the Our Father, and thus took less time. Many people prayed the "Angelic Salutation" with devotion, while others, equally devout, preferred the "Our Father".

Soon after the development of this prayer-devotion of the 150 "Our Father"s, others began likewise using the "Angelic Salutation" (Luke 1:28). This was first mentioned as a devotion in Europe by St. Peter Damian, who died in 1072. This initial form of an abbreviated substitute for the chanted prayers of the Psalter was recommended as a devout remembrance of the wondrous, incomprehensible [[miracle]] of the [[Incarnation]] of God the Son when the angel [[Gabriel (archangel)|Gabriel]] came to Mary in [[Nazareth]] and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you".<ref>Luke 1:28</ref> Because Gabriel addressed Mary directly, her name was added to his salutation and said after the initial "Hail".<ref>See [https://www.dictionary.com/browse/hail "hail" definition (dictionary.com)]</ref> Saying this simple "Angelic Salutation" 150 times for the 150 Psalms of prophesy, with a devout intention of honoring the Incarnation and the mother of Jesus in praise of God, was deemed to be sufficient, because of its profound spiritual meaning within the whole of the mystery of salvation, and because it was uttered by an angel from heaven sent by God, Gabriel himself. He was the same angel who had appeared to the prophet Daniel. The simplest and most ignorant peasant could thus offer up his or her prayer of the heart in union with the official daily prayer of the whole Church to God, using words brought from heaven itself, remembering that the [[Logos|Word]] was made flesh and dwelt among us. The mouth uttered praise, and the mind was directed to the mystery of the Incarnation and the wonder of our salvation. It is also much shorter than the Our Father, and thus took less time. Many people prayed the "Angelic Salutation" with devotion, while others, equally devout, preferred the "Our Father".

Some [[medieval]] [[theologian]]s of the 13th century, by deep [[meditation]] and [[Hermeneutics|skillful interpretation]] of the 150 Psalms saw in them veiled, or [[Allegory|allegorical]], prophesies about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. They began to compose 150 ''praises of Jesus'' based on interpretations of the 150 Psalms, and offering them as "Psalters of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ". Soon, to honor his mother also, 150 praises of Mary were also composed as "Psalters of Our Lady [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary Mother of Our Lord]]". A shorter Psalter of 50 Marian praises was commonly called a bouquet of spiritual fragrance, offered from the heart like a bouquet of roses, in [[Latin]] a "''rosarium''". Many mothers receive bouquets of flowers on [[Mother's Day]], and songs are sung in honor of them, in fulfillment of the commandment to "Honor thy father and thy mother" (Exodus 20:12). Defenders of devotion to Mary point out that sons are pleased when their mothers are honored, and that when a woman in the crowd blessed his mother, Jesus the Son of Mary agreed, but he also said, "Yes! Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" (Luke 11:28), and they point out that Elizabeth, [[Inspiration|inspired]] by the [[Holy Spirit]] Himself, also said, "And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord!" (Luke 1:45). Mary herself testified, "Henceforth all generations shall call me blessed!" (Luke 1:48). And they note that Jesus also said, "Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, '''and mother'''" (Matthew 12:50). And to the one who asked what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus included the commandment, "Honor your father and mother" (Matthew 19:19). They conclude that to honor Mary the mother of Jesus is to honor and please Jesus himself, God the Son, who chose Mary and honored her above all others, by making her his own mother and becoming incarnate in her womb, and being obedient to her (Luke 2:51), a unique [[privilege]] given to no one else. Because she heard the word of God and kept it, and therefore she certainly did the will of God, they reason that, according to the Bible, by Jesus' own testimony, she is therefore most truly his mother, not only by nature, but by her doing the will of his Father in heaven.  

Some [[medieval]] [[theologian]]s of the 13th century, by deep [[meditation]] and [[Hermeneutics|skillful interpretation]] of the 150 Psalms saw in them veiled, or [[Allegory|allegorical]], prophesies about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. They began to compose 150 ''praises of Jesus'' based on interpretations of the 150 Psalms, and offering them as "Psalters of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ". Soon, to honor his mother also, 150 praises of Mary were also composed as "Psalters of Our Lady [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary Mother of Our Lord]]". A shorter Psalter of 50 Marian praises was commonly called a bouquet of spiritual fragrance, offered from the heart like a bouquet of roses, in [[Latin]] a "''rosarium''". Many mothers receive bouquets of flowers on [[Mother's Day]], and songs are sung in honor of them, in fulfillment of the commandment to "Honor thy father and thy mother" (Exodus 20:12). Defenders of devotion to Mary point out that sons are pleased when their mothers are honored, and that when a woman in the crowd blessed his mother, Jesus the Son of Mary agreed, but he also said, "Yes'''!''' Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it'''!'''" (Luke 11:28), and they point out that Elizabeth, [[Inspiration|inspired]] by the [[Holy Spirit]] Himself, also said, "And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord'''!'''" (Luke 1:45). Mary herself testified, "Henceforth all generations shall call me blessed'''!'''" (Luke 1:48). And they note that Jesus also said, "Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, '''and mother'''" (Matthew 12:50). And to the one who asked what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus included the commandment, "Honor your father and mother" (Matthew 19:19). They conclude that to honor Mary the mother of Jesus is to honor and please Jesus himself, God the Son, who chose Mary and honored her above all others, by making her his own mother and becoming incarnate in her womb, and being obedient to her (Luke 2:51), a unique [[privilege]] given to no one else. Because she heard the word of God and kept it, and therefore she certainly did the will of God, they reason that, according to the Bible, by Jesus' own testimony, she is therefore most truly his mother, not only by nature, but by her doing the will of his Father in heaven.  

During the same 13th century, then, five Psalters were being used to honor and praise God:

During the same 13th century, then, five Psalters were being used to honor and praise God:

During the [[Easter|Easter Season]] up to [[Pentecost]], the Church prescribes the temporary replacement of the Hail Holy Queen at the end of the recitation of the Rosary with the prayer, ''Regina Caeli'' (Latin: "Queen of Heaven"), proclaiming Christ's resurrection,

During the [[Easter|Easter Season]] up to [[Pentecost]], the Church prescribes the temporary replacement of the Hail Holy Queen at the end of the recitation of the Rosary with the prayer, ''Regina Caeli'' (Latin: "Queen of Heaven"), proclaiming Christ's resurrection,

:"Queen of Heaven, rejoice, Alleluia! For He whom you did merit to bear, Alleluia! Has risen as He said, Alleluia! Rejoice and be glad, Virgin Mary, Alleluia! For the Lord has risen indeed, Alleluia!"

:"Queen of Heaven, rejoice, Alleluia'''!''' For He whom you did merit to bear, Alleluia'''!''' Has risen as He said, Alleluia'''!''' Rejoice and be glad, Virgin Mary, Alleluia'''!''' For the Lord has risen indeed, Alleluia'''!'''"

This prayer, to be used during the Easter Season, has fallen into general neglect and disuse through the unwitting ignorance of people who are generally unaware of it through lack of being told about it, and who pray the Rosary privately and lead the Rosary in church before or after the [[Eucharist|Mass]]. Because they are in the habit of always saying the Hail Holy Queen prayer at the end of the Rosary they say it during the Easter Season too, simply from habit. When another person, better informed about the traditions of the faith, devoutly attempts to advise them to use the ''Regina Caeli'', they either resist the counsel offered and do what they have always done, even if they believe what they have just been told, or they humbly accept it and do what has been more traditionally prescribed by the Church, once they know about it. If the pastor, the priest, is disinclined to correct them, he will advise the individual in favor of praying the ''Regina Caeli'' to not be too concerned, and to let the matter rest, to avoid disturbing the people.

This prayer, to be used during the Easter Season, has fallen into general neglect and disuse through the unwitting ignorance of people who are generally unaware of it through lack of being told about it, and who pray the Rosary privately and lead the Rosary in church before or after the [[Eucharist|Mass]]. Because they are in the habit of always saying the Hail Holy Queen prayer at the end of the Rosary they say it during the Easter Season too, simply from habit. When another person, better informed about the traditions of the faith, devoutly attempts to advise them to use the ''Regina Caeli'', they either resist the counsel offered and do what they have always done, even if they believe what they have just been told, or they humbly accept it and do what has been more traditionally prescribed by the Church, once they know about it. If the pastor, the priest, is disinclined to correct them, he will advise the individual in favor of praying the ''Regina Caeli'' to not be too concerned, and to let the matter rest, to avoid disturbing the people.

This brought the number of decades of the full Rosary to a total of twenty mysteries—when all twenty are prayed at one time, it includes 2 Sign of the Cross (beginning and ending), 1 Apostles' Creed, 21 Our Father, 203 Hail Mary, 21 Glory Be, 1 Hail Holy Queen, and 1 closing prayer petitioning God for the grace to live the mysteries contained in the truths of the Gospel remembered in the Rosary, ending with the sign of salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord, the Sign of the Cross. When five decades of the Rosary are prayed at one time (one Rosary), times 4, then the prayers total more—8 Sign of the Cross (4 beginnings, 4 endings), 4 Apostles' Creed, 24 Our Father, 212 Hail Mary (4 times the 3 at each of the  beginnings), 24 Glory Be (including the 4 at the ends of the preparatory introductions), 4 Hail Holy Queen, or 4 ''Regina Caeli'', and 4 Grant We Beseech Thee O Lord.

This brought the number of decades of the full Rosary to a total of twenty mysteries—when all twenty are prayed at one time, it includes 2 Sign of the Cross (beginning and ending), 1 Apostles' Creed, 21 Our Father, 203 Hail Mary, 21 Glory Be, 1 Hail Holy Queen, and 1 closing prayer petitioning God for the grace to live the mysteries contained in the truths of the Gospel remembered in the Rosary, ending with the sign of salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord, the Sign of the Cross. When five decades of the Rosary are prayed at one time (one Rosary), times 4, then the prayers total more—8 Sign of the Cross (4 beginnings, 4 endings), 4 Apostles' Creed, 24 Our Father, 212 Hail Mary (4 times the 3 at each of the  beginnings), 24 Glory Be (including the 4 at the ends of the preparatory introductions), 4 Hail Holy Queen, or 4 ''Regina Caeli'', and 4 Grant We Beseech Thee O Lord.

Many Popes, and particularly the Dominicans, have urged the regular recitation of the rosary which means "a crown of roses" as a spiritual bouquet given to the [[Mary|Blessed Mother]] to please God who chose and elected her. In the Bible both the purpose and the elements of this devotion can be found.{{cquote|"Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." (Hebrews 13:15) <br>"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!" (Luke 1:28) <br>"Behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed." (Luke 1:48)  <br>"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!" (Luke 1:42) <br> "But as he who has called you is holy, so be you holy in all conduct; Because it is written, Be holy; for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:15-16) <br>"The holy women who hoped in God." (1 Peter 3:5) <br> "And every man who has this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure." (1 John 3:3) <br> "Little children, let no man deceive you: he who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous." (1 John 3:7) <br>"And why is this granted unto me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" (Luke 1:43) <br>"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified." (Romans 8:29-30) <br>"And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever." (Daniel 12:3) <br>"Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their father." (Matthew 13:43) <br>"And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." (Revelation 12:1) <br>"His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.' " (John 2:5) <br> "He is not God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him." (Luke 20:38) <br>"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-4) <br>"The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects. ... My brothers, if any one among you wanders from the truth and some one brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." (1 John 5:16 and 20) <br>"If he were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Therefore he made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin." (2 Maccabees 12:44-45) <br> "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." (1 Corinthians 3:13-15)}} The devout prayer of the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary has been recommended to the faithful as a most salutary and beneficial spiritual exercise of the heart, mind and soul.<ref>[http://www.scborromeo.org/prayers.htm Catholic Prayers - St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church (scborromeo.org)]</ref>

Many Popes, and particularly the Dominicans, have urged the regular recitation of the rosary which means "a crown of roses" as a spiritual bouquet given to the [[Mary|Blessed Mother]] to please God who chose and elected her. In the Bible both the purpose and the elements of this devotion can be found.{{cquote|"Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." (Hebrews 13:15) <br>"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you'''!'''" (Luke 1:28) <br>"Behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed." (Luke 1:48)  <br>"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb'''!'''" (Luke 1:42) <br> "But as he who has called you is holy, so be you holy in all conduct; Because it is written, Be holy; for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:15-16) <br>"The holy women who hoped in God." (1 Peter 3:5) <br> "And every man who has this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure." (1 John 3:3) <br> "Little children, let no man deceive you: he who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous." (1 John 3:7) <br>"And why is this granted unto me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" (Luke 1:43) <br>"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified." (Romans 8:29-30) <br>"And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever." (Daniel 12:3) <br>"Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their father." (Matthew 13:43) <br>"And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." (Revelation 12:1) <br>"His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.' " (John 2:5) <br> "He is not God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him." (Luke 20:38) <br>"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-4) <br>"The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects. ... My brothers, if any one among you wanders from the truth and some one brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." (1 John 5:16 and 20) <br>"If he were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Therefore he made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin." (2 Maccabees 12:44-45) <br> "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." (1 Corinthians 3:13-15)}} The devout prayer of the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary has been recommended to the faithful as a most salutary and beneficial spiritual exercise of the heart, mind and soul.<ref>[http://www.scborromeo.org/prayers.htm Catholic Prayers - St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church (scborromeo.org)]</ref>

==Vain repetitions==

==Vain repetitions==

:*Pilate tells the crowd he will flog Jesus and let him go, and he has Jesus scourged

:*Pilate tells the crowd he will flog Jesus and let him go, and he has Jesus scourged

*The Crowning with Thorns Mark 15:16-19

*The Crowning with Thorns Mark 15:16-19

:*The soldiers put a crown of thorns on him and mock him, "Hail, King of the Jews!"

:*The soldiers put a crown of thorns on him and mock him, "Hail, King of the Jews'''!'''"

*The Carrying of the Cross Luke 23:24-32

*The Carrying of the Cross Luke 23:24-32

:*Jesus carries his cross, Simon helps him, Jesus speaks to the women

:*Jesus carries his cross, Simon helps him, Jesus speaks to the women

Some devotees of this form of prayer and praise of God in honor of Mary recite and meditate once every day on all 15 Mysteries or on all 20 Mysteries (including the Mysteries of Light), which normally takes from 30 to 45 minutes.  

Some devotees of this form of prayer and praise of God in honor of Mary recite and meditate once every day on all 15 Mysteries or on all 20 Mysteries (including the Mysteries of Light), which normally takes from 30 to 45 minutes.  

The Rosary is comparable and parallel to the Old Testament Psalm 136, which recalls with praises of thanksgiving each of the marvelous works of the Lord and repeats 26 times, "for his mercy endures for ever!"

The Rosary is comparable and parallel to the Old Testament Psalm 136, which recalls with praises of thanksgiving each of the marvelous works of the Lord and repeats 26 times, "for his mercy endures for ever'''!'''"

==The Scriptural Rosary==

==The Scriptural Rosary==

* [https://www.gotquestions.org/praying-rosary.html Is Praying the Rosary Scriptural? (gotquestions.org)] ''The author of the article says absolutely not.''

* [https://www.gotquestions.org/praying-rosary.html Is Praying the Rosary Scriptural? (gotquestions.org)] ''The author of the article says absolutely not.''

* [http://spiralgoddess.com/Mary.html Mary: Protectress, Mother, Goddess and Saint (spiralgoddess.com)] ''A [[Feminism|feminist]] pagan article claiming that the Mother Goddess was retained by the Catholic Church under the guise of Mary, also acknowledging that the Catholic Church denies this.''

* [http://spiralgoddess.com/Mary.html Mary: Protectress, Mother, Goddess and Saint (spiralgoddess.com)] ''A [[Feminism|feminist]] pagan article claiming that the Mother Goddess was retained by the Catholic Church under the guise of Mary, also acknowledging that the Catholic Church denies this.''

* [http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/unholy_rosary.htm The Unholy Catholic Rosary, David J. Stewart (jesus-is-savior)] ''The author states unequivocally that "the Rosary comes straight from the pits of hell!", and he offers supporting arguments from the Bible. He presents an accurate listing of the 15 promises of Our Lady of Fatima in 1917 to everyone who prays the Rosary.'' This article also includes a link to his companion article [http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/hoax_of_our_lady_of_fatima.htm The Hoax of ''Our Lady of Fatima''] regarding praying the Rosary, and states unequivocally that statues and representations of Mary are [[Satan]]ic.

* [http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/unholy_rosary.htm The Unholy Catholic Rosary, David J. Stewart (jesus-is-savior)] ''The author states unequivocally that "the Rosary comes straight from the pits of hell'''!'''", and he offers supporting arguments from the Bible. He presents an accurate listing of the 15 promises of Our Lady of Fatima in 1917 to everyone who prays the Rosary.'' This article also includes a link to his companion article [http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/hoax_of_our_lady_of_fatima.htm The Hoax of ''Our Lady of Fatima''] regarding praying the Rosary, and states unequivocally that statues and representations of Mary are [[Satan]]ic.

*[http://christianwalk101.blogspot.com/2011/10/rosary-is-blasphemy-against-god.html The Rosary is Blasphemy Against God - Christianity 101 (christianwalk101.blogspot.com)] ''The author says that in the Rosary, "Roman Catholics are utterly consumed in mind, body, and spirit with the 'blessed virgin Mary' while Jesus Christ is ignored. [sic] In any Catholic worship service and you'll see Mary exalted to the heavens...Listen to any Roman Catholic worship service and all you will hear is Mary, Mary, Mary! "'' (Anyone who has attended Catholic [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]] is aware that this is not true. See [[Falsehood]]. The prayers of the Catholic Mass are all directed to God the Father, as are the prayers of the Divine Liturgy of the Orthodox Church—all devout Orthodox Christians revere Mary as the [[Theotokos]].)

*[http://christianwalk101.blogspot.com/2011/10/rosary-is-blasphemy-against-god.html The Rosary is Blasphemy Against God - Christianity 101 (christianwalk101.blogspot.com)] ''The author says that in the Rosary, "Roman Catholics are utterly consumed in mind, body, and spirit with the 'blessed virgin Mary' while Jesus Christ is ignored. [sic] In any Catholic worship service and you'll see Mary exalted to the heavens...Listen to any Roman Catholic worship service and all you will hear is Mary, Mary, Mary! "'' (Anyone who has attended Catholic [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]] is aware that this is not true. See [[Falsehood]]. The prayers of the Catholic Mass are all directed to God the Father, as are the prayers of the Divine Liturgy of the Orthodox Church—all devout Orthodox Christians revere Mary as the [[Theotokos]].)

*[http://www.catholicbridge.com/catholic/mary_counting_rosary.php Is the Rosary more about Mary than Jesus? (catholicbridge.com)] "''I've done some counting'' [of all the words in the Rosary] ... ''In summary: the Rosary is 65% directly to Jesus and about him. It is 35% honouring and requesting prayers from Mary, his mother.''"

*[http://www.catholicbridge.com/catholic/mary_counting_rosary.php Is the Rosary more about Mary than Jesus? (catholicbridge.com)] "''I've done some counting'' [of all the words in the Rosary] ... ''In summary: the Rosary is 65% directly to Jesus and about him. It is 35% honouring and requesting prayers from Mary, his mother.''"