Deepen rosary prayer with movement meditation.

The rosary is a traditional Roman Catholic meditative prayer form which combines prayer intentions, scripture stories and repetitive prayers. Michele dances the rosary as a private movement meditation, and, as a retreat leader, she guides other people in experiencing how they can deepen their personal prayer by moving through the rosary. Michele also puts the rosary in motion for others to witness as they sit and pray. They may participate with their eyes, fingers, and voices or their entire bodies.

• Private
  Michele prays the rosary in movement by herself and encourages others to do the same. People who participate in Michele’s retreats and prayer hours find their personal rosary prayer deepened. They expand their movement beyond their fingers to their entire bodies. A simple walking meditation may transform into a private dance.

• Participatory
  At retreats and prayer hours, Michele guides people, whether they consider themselves dancers or not, in moving through the rosary themselves. The rosary is so rich, so full of layers that it provides a plush structure within which to explore movement. Participants’ movement prayer might focus on any one of the three intertwined elements of the rosary – the prayer intention, the mystery meditation which is based on scripture, or the repetitive prayers – and it might flow effortlessly between them.
  

• Presentations
  Michele memorizes, proclaims, enacts, and dances the rosary’s scripture stories by herself or with others as part of a retreat or prayer hour. She leads participants in praying the repetitive prayers in a way that reflects their mysteries. Sometimes, the prayers may be prayed silently, sometimes out-loud, sometimes sung. She may dance as the people pray out-loud providing the rhythm for the movement.

To watch a video about putting the rosary in motion, go to 30 Good Minutes and scroll to Michele White. To read more about Michele’s experiences putting the rosary in motion, visit Michele's blog.

Photo: Michele leads a movement prayer group at St. Benedict's Catholic Church.

Photo by Scott Spears.

© 2006-2010 Michele Marie Beaulieux