h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: The Holy Rosary - A4900808
Author: jhutcher - U1822618

Its supposed to be informative... and don't attack it just for being religious... many people in this world are.

And as i have said, if you are set upon by a crowd of veiled ladies it may well save your skin!

Hi J,

Yes, it is informative and quite comprehensive. Well done again. It's a good topic to include into the guide.

The entry still leaves me questioning where did the prayer come from? What is the connection between Roses and the Rosary. Surely there must be more information on this readily available on the internet? There may even be some information on the Vatican website.

This is a very common prayer at Catholic occasions, particularly the main masses and funerals. It is often said at grottos or on special occasions, and my understanding is that it has a strong connection to the so-called miracles of Lourdes and Fatima etc.

I have never heard it said that it is a prayer for people with too much time on their hands. Whatever about it, it is a fascinating ritual in its own right - it is almost trance-inducing in its intensity. Very bizarre. I'm not sure if any Christian religions practise it apart from Catholicism.

"Hail Father"? - maybe leave it out at this stage. There's a 'Glory Be' there as well.

You have a personal reference half-way down, "I would suggest". Just say "a common prayer at this stage is.."

"Earth" should be capitalised.

"our life, our sweetness and our hope" - Hail our life?

Now, is there not another set of mysteries, introduced by John Paul II? You might have added them here. I don't know.

I hope this helps - as I said, I would like to see some more substance around it's origins, and around its 'uses'.

Good work. Well done.

W

Hmmm, here are some thoughts.

There are actual several different types of rosaries -- the one you describe here is the most common (the Dominican, I believe it's called), but there are still many other versions. You can buy different types of rosaries -- for example, there are one decade rosaries, rosary bracelets, stations of the cross rosaries, prayer beads that look like rosaries but are actually chaplets, etc. There are also different ways to pray the traditional Dominican rosary, with both additions and substitutions to the prayers.

I would also add a footnote to the Luminous Mysteries explaining that these are new, and so are not included in many books. When you're saying when each mystery is said, I would add "traditionally", and mention before the section on the mysteries that any mystery can actually be said at any time.

The O My Jesus is probably more commonly known as the Fatima prayer. And if you're going to refer to it, I would include the whole prayer -- it's short, anyway. Many Marian apparitions have focused on the rosary - Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, etc. - I think this is worth pointing out.

The rest of the entry is written in a straightforward and serious tone, so I found this sentence rather out of place -- "How to say the traditional Rosary is outlined below for those who might find themselves in a large crowd of veiled women, or in St Peters with nothing to do." Situations and places in which the Rosary is commonly said in real life:

* at Adoration
* before or after receiving any of the sacraments, especially Reconciliation
* as part of a daily devotional, at home or at a parish school
* when a loved one has died - some people regularly pray the rosary for the repose of all souls in purgatory, actually
* during a stressful situation for yourself or someone else - when someone is ill, or in danger, undergoing surgery, etc
* many communities have groups of people who will pray the Rosary together at set times - one of the more well known is the Legion of Mary
* when giving thanks
* as an offering to God - for example, someone might choose to forego watching their favorite television programme and pray the Rosary instead, as an offering for the intentions of a loved one

Today, there are all sorts of electronic versions of the rosary -- you can download rosary programs onto your computer, pda, or cell phone -- they guide you step by step through the prayers and the mysteries. Virtual Rosary is probably my favorite.

Contrary to Woodpigeon's comment, the rosary is *not* said during a mass. That's a common misconception, and one I think worth pointing out in the entry. And yes, there are Protestant groups who pray the Rosary, although in a very different form, without the Marian emphasis in most cases.

The term "Hail Father" is not in common use -- "Our Father", "The Lord's Prayer", and "Pater Noster" are all commonly used.

Let's see, what else. Oh, there are many different ways of meditating on the mysteries. Some people will read the scriptures for each one. You can buy books that have artwork and/or readings for each mystery. I think saying "meditate" without further explanation can give people the wrong impression -- it's about focusing on the mystery, and meditation is *one* way that some people choose to do that.


Mikey

Oh, and I would also include some internal and external links. There's an entry on Catholicism you can link to. If you're willing to mention the fact that you can also buy and use rosaries that are devoted to a certain saint, you could link to my patron saints entry.

Here are some external links I like:

This one has the rosary prayers in many languages, along with instructions -- http://www.rosary-center.org/howto.htm
Free rosary software -- http://www.virtualrosary.org/
Catholic encyclopedia entry on the rosary -- http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13184b.htm
A protestant rosary page -- http://www.ecumenicalrosary.org/
Vatican documents about the rosary -- http://www.vatican.va/special/rosary/index_rosary.htm

Oh, and perhaps mention that the introductory and concluding prayers (like the Creed and the Haily Holy Queen, for example) aren't actually part of the Rosary proper? It's still considered saying the rosary if you just do the decades.


Mikey

Thanks for the suggestions... I'm undertaking a serious editing and expantion of what i have put.

The entry was about 1/3 of what i was originally planning to put and cut it to what i considered to be the most basic form so that it wouldn't be considered too long.

I've had problems deciding which 'origin' story to use, so i included the most factual of them. Though think i might specify the St Dominic tradition.

The fatima prayer is the only tradition I know and couldn't find what was the most common practice in the UK so if anyone know this it would be useful information for me.

2nd Addition coming soon!

I've updated this entry... tell me what you think and what you think needs adding.

I've found a link to a free Rosary site i've added, which would be handy.

Changed the tone as well to fairly serious.

Justin

Justin,

You are still starting it with "consists of a number of decades or ten Hail Mary’s with a Hail Father in between". It's not called "Hail Father", is it?

Nice Entry!

Anyone looking for this kind of information will be well-served by this Entry. If I was forced to make a comment this would be it:

The title might contain something denoting it's about a catholic thing... Like "The Holy Rosary - Catholic Prayer" or something.

Cheers,

HELL

Taking Mikey's comments, would it work if the title was changed to 'The Holy Dominican Rosary'? Or are you planning on covering *everything*?

This is a very good entry - I can understand your caution about religion, but we do have a lot of diverse religious content on here and are always happy to receive more, so long as it's factual - which this is.

The Entry is on the Rosary in its various forms... and focuses on the procedure for praying the most common one (the dominican rosary). The entry is about the Holy Rosary and not just the Dominican Rosary which is why i think it should stay.

Sorry about the Hail father, completely missed it.

I've asked around and the presumption is that when we refer to the Holy Rosary it is Catholic... however the entry points out this is not neccessarily so; therefore i've taken the decision not to change the title to include a reference to Dominican Rosary (not a universal name anyway) or Catholicism which is explicitly mentioned in the entry itseld.

Thanks for your praise

Justin

Hello Justin,
Your Entry is interesting for me, and generally I am sure.

Our eldest son, now 39, is a convert to the Catholic faith. During a short period of religious uncertainty whilst at Manchester University he met and became friendly with a priest, and was quickly convinced about the new direction he should take. He married a catholic girl 9 years ago, and they are very keen churchgoers. Our younger son also married a catholic girl, although he has not changed his faith from our own Anglican Church. Our 2 grandchildren are therefore being brought up in the Catholic Church.
The eldest son and his wife are, like you, living just north of the M25, but at Potter's Bar; she works in central London and he teaches sciences in a private school in Harlow.
For these reasons, I have taken some interest in the Catholic Church from a mildly 'academic' standpoint. So your Entry about The Holy Rosary has been very interesting to read. It is well written.
I feel, personally, that it stands a good chance of being picked for the EG at some stage.
Good luck for your 'A'levels. Hope you achieve your ambition by securing your provisional place at Oxford.


f.

Oops very sorry Justin...that should read... Cambridge University!
Our youngest lives in Cambridge!

And the first sentence should read 'of' Hail Marys rather than 'on', I think...

P

Your Guide Entry has just been picked from Peer Review by one of our Scouts, and is now heading off into the Editorial Process, which ends with publication in the Edited Guide. We've therefore moved this Review Conversation out of Peer Review and to the entry itself.

If you'd like to know what happens now, check out the page on 'What Happens after your Entry has been Recommended?' at EditedGuide-Process. We hope this explains everything.

Thanks for contributing to the Edited Guide!

May I be the first to offer you my heartiest congratulations on being selected for the Editorial process.

Great stuff Justin.

Next stop... Cambridge!

Ron

frontiersman

Yay my first entry into the edited guide