“The habitual difficulty in prayer is distraction” (Catechism, 2729). For those with ADHD, that can make prayer twice as hard! That is one of the reasons why praying the rosary has been so effective for me: the feel of the beads, mysteries to imagine, and a clear “task” to accomplish. But even with all those things it was hard to keep my attention on Jesus.
Someone recommended to me praying the rosary with Scripture as a better way to focus. This was both awesome and not-so-awesome. The awesome part was infusing “the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit” (Catechism, 81) with the prayers of the rosary. BOOM. It was like my rosary became super-charged!
The “not-so-awesome” was the work it took to find the Scriptures for each mystery. Some were easy, others were spread out, and some had just one verse (“Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged.” —John 19:1). There are some good apps out there that made it easier to get to the Scriptures, but then I missed the feel of the beads. Swiping a screen wasn’t doing it for me.
What I desired was a tactile, “acoustic,” and visually engaging way to pray the rosary that would help me enter more deeply into its mysteries through the living Word of God. Without making it sound like I saw an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary (I’m still waiting for that, BTW), she put an idea into my heart to help me, others with ADHD like me, and everybody else draw closer to her Son.
It’s called “Catholic Praying Cards.” Each set of mysteries is a deck of cards; each card acts as a “bead” that contains Scripture verses relevant to that mystery. The cards themselves are a high quality linen stock so they have a smooth texture. The text is slightly raised to give it an embossed feel. The bottom of each card has a drawing of ten beads to let the person praying know how far they are in the decade. Each mystery begins with a beautiful piece of art and special care was given to the type and size of font so the entire experience would be ascetically pleasing without being too distracting.
Can I be honest? I made this for me. I’ve been praying this way for a few months now, and I feel closer to Jesus and Mary than ever before. Praying the rosary, whether the whole rosary or just a decade, has become a regular part of my prayer and meditation. The Word of God is “living and effective” (Hebrews 4:12). Even though I’ve read the same verses over and over, the Holy Spirit constantly draws out new meanings for me. I was in a “dry spell” in my walk with God and this really revitalized my spiritual life.
But I have a feeling this isn’t just for me. It is for you, too. Catholic Praying Cards provide a new way to experience the rosary so you can see the face of Jesus through the eyes of his mother and more deeply encounter his love through the words of the Holy Spirit. I pray you are blessed by them.
To Jesus, through Mary!
Joyful Mysteries
This deck gives you everything you need to pray the Joyful Mysteries of the rosary with Scripture! Each card is a “bead” with a Bible verse that prayerfully guides you through each mystery so you can grow closer to Jesus through the intercession of his mother, Mary.
Here is an example of the Scriptures you will meditate upon in the third Joyful Mystery: The Nativity.
- In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled… So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. —Luke 2:1, 3-5
- While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son… and he named him Jesus. —Luke 2:6, Matthew 1:25
- She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. —Luke 2:7
- Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.” —Luke 2:8-11
- And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” —Luke 2:13-14
- So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. —Luke 2:16-20
- When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” —Matthew 2:1-2
- And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. —Matthew 2:9-11
- They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.—Matthew 2:11-12
- All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.” —Matthew 1:22-23
Luminous Mysteries
This deck gives you everything you need to pray the Luminous Mysteries of the rosary with Scripture! Each card is a “bead” with a Bible verse that prayerfully guides you through each mystery so you can grow closer to Jesus through the intercession of his mother, Mary.
Here is an example of the Scriptures you will meditate upon in the fourth Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration.
- Moses then went up with Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders of Israel, and they beheld the God of Israel. Under his feet there appeared to be sapphire tilework, as clear as the sky itself. —Exodus 24:9-10
- (Jesus) took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. —Luke 9:28-29
- He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb. —Revelation 21:10,23
- And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. —Luke 9:20-21
- “I will commission my two witnesses to prophesy for those twelve hundred and sixty days, wearing sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven say to them, “Come up here.” So they went up to heaven in a cloud as their enemies looked on. —Revelation 11:3-4,12
- Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. —Luke 9:32
- As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. —Luke 9:33
- While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. —Luke 9:34
- Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” —Matthew 17:5
- When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone. —Matthew 17:6-8
Sorrowful Mysteries
This deck gives you everything you need to pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the rosary with Scripture! Each card is a “bead” with a Bible verse that prayerfully guides you through each mystery so you can grow closer to Jesus through the intercession of his mother, Mary.
Here is an example of the Scriptures you will meditate upon in the fifth Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion.
- When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” —Luke 23:33-34
- Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, if you are the Son of God, and come down from the cross!” —Matthew 27:39-40
- Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation?”—Luke 23:39-40
- Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” —Luke 23:42-43
- When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. —John 19:26-27
- At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” —Mark 15:33-34
- After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.”—John 19:28-30
- Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”; and when he had said this he breathed his last. —Luke 23:46
- The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” —Mark 15:38-39
- When they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may come to believe. —John 19:33-35
Glorious Mysteries
This deck gives you everything you need to pray the Glorious Mysteries of the rosary with Scripture! Each card is a “bead” with a Bible verse that prayerfully guides you through each mystery so you can grow closer to Jesus through the intercession of his mother, Mary.
Here is an example of the Scriptures you will meditate upon in the fifth Glorious Mystery: The Crowning of Mary.
- Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a violent hailstorm. A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. —Revelation 11:19-12:1
- Then Bathsheba went to King Solomon… and the king stood up to meet her and paid her homage. Then he sat down upon his throne, and a throne was provided for the king’s mother, who sat at his right. —1 Kings 2:19
- Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.” —Mark 10:39-40
- Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb… Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” —Luke 1:41-42, 45
- All the women of Israel gathered to see her, and they blessed her and performed a dance in her honor. She took branches in her hands and distributed them to the women around her, and she and the other women crowned themselves with olive leaves. Then, at the head of all the people, she led the women in the dance, while the men of Israel followed, bearing their weapons, wearing garlands and singing songs of praise. —Judith 15:12-13
- “The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” —Luke 1:49
- “He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.” —Luke 1:51-52
- She said, “There is one small favor I would ask of you. Do not refuse me.” The king said to her, “Ask it, my mother, for I will not refuse you.” —1 Kings 2:20
- His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” —John 2:5
- Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” —John 19:27
Deacon Bob Rice 