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ROSARY CUSTOMS:
U.S. and MEXICO |
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Rosary practices are not identical in every country.
The basic elements are always the same, namely, the meditation
themes called the Mysteries and
the decade prayers that accompany them.
But the Church allows worshipers to add other pious exercises
before, during, and after the Rosary, according to local custom
and personal preference. |
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For example, English-speaking Roman Catholics in the United States
perform a comparatively simple version of the Rosary. Spanish-speaking
Roman Catholics in Mexico perform a more elaborate version of
the Rosary. |
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In the past, particularly before "Vatican II" (the
Second Vatican Council, 1962-1965), Roman Catholics in the United
States frequently prayed the Holy Rosary in group settings. |
Most parishes sponsored a daily Rosary, usually in the afternoon.
Parochial schools scheduled Rosary events in May (Mary's Month)
and October (Rosary Month). Many parents reserved one evening
or more per week for the family to pray the Rosary together.
Much has changed since then.
Today, millions of U.S. Catholics pray the Holy Rosary regularly.
But they do so mainly as a private devotion, performed while
commuting to work, on the lunch hour, or in quiet moments at
home. Lifestyles in the U.S. make it difficult for even devout
Catholics to meet for group prayer on a strict schedule.
With the growth of cable television and the Internet, some of
the faithful pray "in cyberspace", while viewing a
Rosary broadcast or clicking Rosary instructions in a Web site.
For simple instructions on how to pray
the Rosary, U.S.-style, see the Rosary Prayerbook Quick Guide.
The instructions are also available in Spanish. |
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Roman Catholics in Mexico have a special affection for the Holy
Rosary. They hold Rosary events in church, in private homes,
outdoors, or anywhere the faithful choose to meet for prayer.
Most parish churches offer a daily Rosary every afternoon. |
Rather than offer only the required prayers, Mexican Catholics
add invocations, the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, hymns,
and prayers borrowed from many sources, including the Psalms,
the Angelus, and the liturgy of the Mass. The result is the Mexican
folk Rosary, a Church-approved devotion that is especially suited
to public worship.When a priest is not present, a lay volunteer
called a rezandero or rezador (feminine: rezandera/rezadora)
leads the prayers.
There are many social occasions when Mexicans gather to pray
the Rosary: Christmas season parties (posadas); inauguration
and retirement ceremonies for officers of religious sodalities;
during or after religious processions; the nine nights following
the death of a family member; other life cycle observances; and
the eight afternoons preceding the feast day of a favorite saint.
A ninth rosary is held on the afternoon of the actual feast day.
For simple instructions in English on how
to pray the Rosary Mexican-style, see the Rosary Prayerbook
Quick Guide. The instructions are also available in Spanish. |
CREDITS
Illustration: "Sorrowful
Virgin", © 2001 by E.M. Mulhare.
Texts of prayers in this work are traditional devotions
of the Roman Catholic Church and pertain to the public domain.
Scripture texts in English and Spanish are used with permision
of the copyright owners
and no part may be reproduced in any form without their permission
in writing. Text of the Apostolic Letter"Rosarium
Virginis Mariæ" is available from the official
Vatican Web site <http://www.vatican.va/>.
All other content, including graphics and artwork, Copyright
©1999-2002 by E. M. Mulhare, Hamilton, NY 13346 US, except
where otherwise indicated. All rights reserved. Published electronically
as part of About the Holy Rosary. Original created 04-Mar-1999. This
page last modified 02-Dec-2002.
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