A University of Prayer

The Rosary is a kind of University of prayer.

What I mean, is that it is not just a once off formula of prayer—the same for everyone. Some folk will be content with saying the vocal prayers slowly and with sincerity. They may well enter into a deep contemplative spirit with these heavenly-sent prayers. Others will want to study the mysteries and turn them over in their minds and imagination. Again there will be those who can no longer cope with the detail of pictured scenes or complicated thoughts. They just want to linger in love with the Lord and be nursed by the Blessed Mother.

Bear in mind how Bernadette at Lourdes remarked: The Lady kept looking at me and I gazed steadily at her. That steady gaze—the French word was regarde and it signifies much more than a passing glance. Let the Holy Spirit guide you to the level of prayer that is meant for you. Of course we must not think that one state is better or higher than another. And the thing is that we often move in and out of these levels as the breath of God wafts us. All I meant by speaking of the Rosary as a University is to stress the many-splendoured range of living and loving to which the Rosary can move us.

The ultimate test of our prayer is the level of our love.


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