How to Pray - Gospa, Our Lady of Medjugorje

Gospa has consistently declared her love for us, her children and asked us to pray and fast. When you're not used to doing this, or at least not on a regular basis, these requests can seem overwhelming.

The Rosary

The Rosary was presented to us in the Middle Ages and has undergone several accepted changes from that time in how it is to be recited. From changes in prayers, to defining the Mysteries, to how each Rosary should be said. The original Rosary consisted of 15 decades. In modern times, we've prayed those 15 decades 5 at a time, with our modern Rosary beads reflecting only those 5. Often those groups of 5 decades are said on different days, following the recommendations of the daily devotion of the three Mysteries. Our Lady is asking that the Rosary be restored to its original version. One Rosary is a total of 15 decades and should be said with the three Mysteries - Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious - within the same day whenever possible. Here is a diagram of the 5 decade Rosary and the prayers of the Rosary.

Unfortunately, so many of us are not used to regular prayer. At least not in the formal way asked of us by our Blessed Mother. And knowing that, she never asks us to just dive in and commit daily to 15 full decades of the Rosary. She taught us through the visionaries to begin slowly. They began by praying together seven Our Fathers, seven Hail Marys, seven Glory Bes and the Apostle's Creed. Then she asked that the Rosary be prayed as we had become accustomed to praying it.. 5 decades at a time. And finally she asked that 15 decades to be prayed.

Gospa encourages this daily devotion to the Rosary while inviting us to be in love with her Son through the mass, the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar and daily readings of the Bible. She very strongly urges family prayer. The following are just a few of her messages to us:

August 14, 1984 (Tuesday)

This apparition was unexpected. Ivan was praying at home. After that he started to get ready to go to Church for the evening services. By surprise Our Lady appeared to him and told him to relate to the people. "I would like the people to pray along with me these days. And to pray as much as possible! And to fast strictly on Wednesdays and Fridays, and every day to pray at least one Rosary: the joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries." Our Lady asked that we accept this message with a firm will. She especially requested this of the parishioners and the faithful of the surrounding places.

December 6, 1984

"Dear children! These days I am calling you to family prayer. In God's Name many times I have been giving you messages, but you have not listened to me. This Christmas will be unforgettable for you only if you accept the messages which I am giving you. Dear children, don't allow that day of joy to become my most sorrowful day. Thank you for having responded to my call."

February 14, 1985

"Dear children! Today is the day when I give you a message for the parish, but the whole parish is not accepting the messages and is not living them. I am saddened and I want you, dear children, to listen to me and to live my messages. Every family must pray family prayer and read the Bible! Thank you for having responded to my call."

March 7, 1985

"Dear children! Today I call you to renew prayer in your families. Dear children, encourage the very young to prayer and the children to go to Holy Mass. Thank you for having responded to my call."

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