What is Dominican contemplation (found in the rosary) and why do most people focus on Dominican contemplation when praying the rosary?
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I have always found it deeply confusing that Pope St. John Paul II said: "The Rosary is my favourite prayer. A marvellous prayer! " (Angelus Sunday, 29 October 1978) but still recited the *Aves* in the rosary very quickly; at least in the recordings I have found.
To me it just sounded like he rushed through the prayers and did not focus on meditation at all.
What I nowadays know is that many people recite Aves quickly and can meditate. They might focus more on contemplation or meditation found in Dominican traditions.
Dominican friars seem to focus on reciting it in more quick repetitious ways like we can see in this YouTube video: [The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7YDElMg8Rg&t=436s)
I have listened to some Montfortians reciting the *Aves* and they do not focus on a quick repetitious recitation.
The Dominican friars say the rosary in such a way that it become a kind of painful penance. This attitude is really confusing to me. I don't like to view prayer as painful penance but people are different. That is how I understand what the Dominican friars are doing in the video.
Sadly it is very hard to find good information on this topic. It is a topic that might be avoided.
Most people who recite the rosary seem to be influenced by Dominican traditions and their contemplation.
What is Dominican contemplation (found in the rosary) and why do most people focus on Dominican contemplation and not Montfortian contemplation when praying the rosary?
Asked by John Janssen
(119 rep)
Jul 17, 2025, 09:23 AM
Last activity: Jul 20, 2025, 10:52 PM
Last activity: Jul 20, 2025, 10:52 PM