Expert: Fr. Michael - 4/18/2010

Question
Hello Fr. Michael,
   First of all, I was wondering if the Catholic Church is the only Christian religion that uses the Rosary.

   Secondly, I was wondering if you could help me with the Rosary. I recently bought one. I've never said the Rosary before, and I'm not sure I'm doing it right.

  1: Do I have to say the mysteries every time I pray the Rosary, or are they only for Novena's?
  2: At the end, do you say the Hail Holy Queen and down again? Like, you start with the Apostles creed; do you end with it,too? Or do you end at the last 10 Hail Mary's?
  3: Is it okay that I don't kneel when I say it? I prefer sitting on my bed. Or is that not right?
  4: Also, I have an old Rosary from my communion that I don't want/need anymore. What do I do with it?
  5: I'm still learning the prayers, I can't say then with out reading from a pray book. Does it still count as saying the rosary if I mess up words, or stop to pick the books up then start again? Or redo the prayer I'm saying?

Thank You for any help you can give me :)

Answer
Yes, the Catholic religion is the only one to use the Most Holy Rosary as such.  Some other  religions use beads in one way or another.

1) Yes.  The Rosary consists essentially of the Mysteries and ten Aves.  All the rest is supplemental.
2) The essential Rosary ends with the 150th (or 50th, in the five-decade form) Ave.  Any prayers added after that are optional.
3) There is no required posture.  What ever is appropriate and dignified.
4) Give it to someone else.
5) This would be appropriate if you are still learning the prayers.

1.While holding the crucifix make the Sign of the Cross and then recite the Apostles Creed.
2.Recite the Pater Noster on the first large bead.
3.On each of the three small beads recite the Ave Maria for an increase of faith, hope and charity.
4.Recite the Gloria Patri on the next large bead.
5.Recall the first Rosary Mystery and recite the Pater Noster on the large bead. The Joyful Mysteries are meditated on Monday and Thursday, Sundays of Advent and Septuagesima. The Sorrowful Mysteries are meditated on Tuesday and Friday, and Sundays in Lent.  The Glorious Mysteries are meditated on Wednesday, Saturday, and other Sundays.
6.On each of the adjacent ten small beads (also refered to as a decade) recite the Ave Maria while reflecting on the Mystery.
7.On the next large bead, recite the Gloria Patri, then the Pater Noster.
8.When the prayers of the fifth mystery are completed, the Rosary is customarily concluded with the Salve Regina.