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The Rosary for Protestant Christians
Help for those who are attracted yet uncertain
My husband is a Protestant, sort of a cross between Calvinist and Pentecostal. Though he supports my spiritual practice, he’d never consider adopting the rosary. When the topic comes up among my non-Catholic Christian friends, this is what I often hear from them. If they were open to a change of mind, there are responses I could make.
Perhaps you’re a non-Catholic Christian and feel an inexplicable attraction to the rosary but resist because of criticisms and objections you’ve heard. Are you ready to learn more about the prayers and what Catholics mean by some phrases within them that Protestants have trouble with?
Overcome the objections
Maybe you’re ready to explore the/ “Rosary River” but not ready to immerse yourself in it. I’ll provide a row of stones to step on before the water deepens. The link in each of these objections takes you to a more detailed explanation with examples.
Don’t repeat prayers.
When Jesus gave us the “Our Father” prayer, I doubt He intended that we should say it only once during our lives! In the garden, He prayed three times to His Father for another alternative to being crucified. God’s people have been praying the psalms for two thousand years. The angels in Rev. 4:8 use a lot of repetition, saying, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” innumerable times. It’s not “vain repetition” when the words come from the heart, expressing love.
Don’t worship Mary
When a child expresses love for his mother, is he worshipping her? When a woman kisses the picture of her husband serving in the military overseas, is she worshipping him? When you fall in love and get married, does your love for your parents decrease? Expressing love and devotion to Mary does not replace our love and worship of Jesus. Why do people insist on either/or to the exclusion of both/and?
So why don’t Catholics worry that we’re “worshipping” Mary? Because we’re not offering her sacrifice. Preaching and prayer and honor aren’t restricted to God: it’s not sinful to speak well of your neighbor, or speak to her, or…
