How to Pray Article Series: Specific Questions About The Rosary, Novenas & Fasting

Some of the frequently asked questions about how to pray are about the Rosary, Novenas and Fasting. Here are some of those questions and their respective answers.

*When you go to the next set of mysteries, do you have to repeat the 3 Hail Marys and 1 Our Father?

The answer is No, you don't have to. All you have to do is go back to the first decade and start a new set of mysteries. Let's say you're done with the Joyful
Mystery and you want to continue with the Sorrowful Mystery. What you do is just go back to the first decade (the first set of 10 beads) and proceed from there.


*Do I have to pray a novena the same time/place always?

Generally, No, you don't have to. You can pray a novena at anytime or at any place. There are novenas, however, which are usually prayed at the church, an example of which is the novena to the Mother of Perpetual Help, which is usually prayed every Wednesday, usually before or after Mass.

Read the instructions on how to pray a specific novena. Some novenas would specify a morning prayer, while a lot doesn't. Other novenas are said at a specific day like the first Saturday of each month, or every Sunday and so on.

*In fasting, does the length of time matter?

Personally, I don't think it does because fasting is more about the condition of the heart or your heart-set, not the length of time. The most important is your motive. Why are you fasting?

If you're new to fasting, you should start slow. You can start with one meal a day or one day in a week or a week in a month. It's like when you're starting a physical exercise. You don't go on a treadmill, for instance, for one-hour right away. With fasting, you have to build up your spiritual muscles first so that you will be prepared to fast for longer periods of time later.

*Can I take water while fasting?

Yes, you can. In fact, you can even take juice as well especially when you're fasting for several days as this will provide you with extra energy. If you will just take water only when fasting, please take note that if you plan to fast for several days, it is best that you consult your doctor first.

According to Dr. Bill Bright, "water-only fasts that last for more than several days need to be undertaken with complete rest and under medical supervision because of the extreme danger of over-toxification, breakdown of vital body tissues, and loss of electrolytes".

*When fasting, do I have to spend it in prayer?

Let me put it this way. Fasting is a time for intimately communing with God so the more time you spend with Him in fellowship, worship, and adoration, and the more you read and meditate upon His Word, the more effective and meaningful your fast will be. It depends on whether you will just be at home or in some quiet place alone when you do your fast or whether you will be at work so it's all up to you to arrange your schedule accordingly.


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