Do We Have to Meditate on the Mysteries When Praying the Rosary? (Father Simon Says)

On a recent episode of Father Simon Says, Nathan from Lexington calls in with a common question: How do you meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary while also reciting the Hail Marys and Our Fathers? Many Catholics worry that their words may feel mechanical or distracted when trying to do both at once. Father Simon gave a reassuring answer. He explains that Catholics don’t need to be “mental gymnasts” during the Rosary. Instead, think of it as a blend of two types of prayer: vocal prayer and meditative prayer. The repeated Hail Marys create a sacred rhythm – almost like a Catholic version of “speaking in tongues” – while the meditations on the life of Christ and the Blessed Mother provide focus and depth. So how do you balance the two? Father Simon suggests pausing between decades to reflect on the mystery at hand. For example, when praying the Joyful Mysteries, take a moment before or after the decade to picture Mary visiting Elizabeth or the Nativity of Christ. This way, you’re not straining to meditate during every single word, but still allowing the Rosary to guide your imagination and heart into the Gospel. His encouragement is simple: pray with love, not pressure. Let the Rosary unfold naturally – use the repetition as a steady background rhythm, and the mysteries as moments of deeper reflection. By doing this, you can keep the Rosary prayerful, not mechanical, and grow closer to Jesus through Mary. The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.