Preston Flatt – Page 4 – Preston Flatt

You will feel like a skateboarding nun or monk when you cruise along on your board holding these beadless rosary hand positions. It is an enjoyable way to pray the rosary without rosary beads and looks way cool. Those that are not of this particular religious tradition can switch out these prayers and meditations for prayers and meditations of your choice. So that is no big deal, and you can have a lot of fun with this. Just learn the hand and finger positions first, so that you can get the idea. I have previously introduced to you my favorite method of counting the rosary on the fingers of the hands instead of using rosary beads, and it can be found in this article: How To Pray The Rosary Without Beads, Using The Fingers Of The Hands As Landmarks. If you haven't already read that article, it will be most helpful if you read it first, because we will be using many of the same landmarks and counting methods in this second method. This article that you are reading now, shows two additional ways to use the Left Decades Hand and also a new counting method for the Right Counting Hand. You can cruise along on your board holding these rosary hand positions; it looks really great and is a spiritual way to skateboard like a monk. So in this article, you will be able to check out these additional methods of counting and praying the rosary without rosary beads using the fingers of the hands as landmarks. You can use the methods in this article with the methods in the previous article. I will provide more great information on exactly how to use this method in upcoming articles. The Left Hand Is The Decades Hand, And The Right Hand Is The Counting Hand. With this second method of counting the rosary on the fingers of the hands, the left hand is still the Decade's Hand, and the right hand is still the Counting Hand. All of the countings on both the left and the right hands will be done on the palm side of the hands, on the finger creases over the joints. You will know which of the five decades you are praying, based on the thumb placement position on the Left Decades hand. Let's begin learning those Left Decades hand placement positions now. The first thumb placement position for the left thumb will be on the distant most finger crease of the left pointer finger. It is the last joint that you feel bending when you flex your fingers and is the joint closest to the fingernail of the left pointer finger. The Thumb Placement Position On The Finger Crease Forms A Cross. As the left thumb rests in this position, you will notice that the plane of the thumb and the plane of the finger crease form a cross. The plane formed by the thumb resting upon the thumb crease forms a cross. This will help you remember that this is the first thumb placement location, and the starting place, as we begin counting and praying the rosary on the fingers of the hands, without rosary beads. This will also be the left thumb placement location as we pray each of the following: The Apostle's Creed, the first Our Father, the Three Hail Marys, the Glory Be Prayer, and the Oh My Jesus (Fatima Prayer). And it will also remain there for the praying of the First Mystery, and the entire first decade. The left thumb placement position on this left decade's hand will be repositioned to its second location as we begin the second decade. For the second decade, simply move the left thumb contact next door to the distant most joint of the left central finger. For the third decade, move the left thumb to the distant most joint of the left ring finger. For the fourth decade, move the left thumb contact position to the distant most joint of the pinkie (little finger). For the fifth decade, move the left thumb contact position, returning it to it's original position on the distant most joint on the left index (pointer) finger. This will be the concluding thumb placement position for the left hand. It will stay at this location, not only through the conclusion of the fifth decade, but also for the Hail Holy Queen Prayer, and for the Oh God Prayer. Each Of The Five Decades Are Represented On The Fingers Of The Left Hand. So in summary, the left Decades hand will show each of the 5 decades' locations. The 5 thumb placement positions for the Left Decades Hand will also correspond to the 5 mysteries. It begins on the distant most joint of the left pointer finger, and then just moves over one finger at a time with the counting of each decade, moving toward the pinkie (Little) finger. Once it concludes at the pinkie finger, each of the four fingers will have been counted on, and for the fifth decade, the left thumb just returns to the first counting position on the left index (pointer) finger and remains there thru the conclusion of the rosary and the Hail Holy Queen, and Oh God, final prayers. The 5 Mysteries Are Also Represented On The Fingers Of The Left Hand. This order of counting can represent each of the 5 mysteries or proceeding one finger at a time through Christ's life, sufferings and trials, seeming to finish and be all over at the pinkie finger, but then the triumphal resurrection represented returning from the left pinkie to the left pointer (index) finger. An Alternate Counting Method For The Left Decades Hand. I should point out here that I have also developed an alternate order of counting for this left hand, one which uses the exact same points. It also starts at the left index (pointer) finger, but then goes directly to the pinkie, or little finger thumb placement location. This can represent the birth of Christ and his descending from heaven, and can also represent each of the 5 mysteries. An alternate finger counting method to pray the rosary on the fingers and landmarks of the Left Hand without rosary beads. (As I mention this, I will keep all pertaining to this variation in italics so that it can be seen as separate, and isn't confused with the other method I am also mentioning in this article.) From there, the order continues reversed, going from the left pinkie to the left ring finger, to the left central finger, and returning to the left pointer finger. This alternate order of counting the rosary on the fingers of the hands without beads can represent Christ's birth, descending all the way down to earth to the pinkie finger, and then his growing in wisdom and stature before God and man, and culminating in the return to God at the 5th decade's left index finger thumb placement landmark, or other mysteries. This method is good if you wish to use this order instead, but eventually it is important for you to decide on, and keep to just one method or the other. Reasons To Keep To Just One Beadless Rosary Counting Method. That is because each prayer is like a drop of water, and it descends in order in the same place and pattern each time. There is value in this repetitive consistency. It is very much a case of not being confused, not serving two masters, lest the one praying should give an uncertain sound, look back at the plow, or be as a double-minded man, unsteady in all his ways. You want to have one way, and that will be a great foundation for you. You will settle upon one method and keep with that, as a consistent, steady offering. The good news is that the thumb placement locations for the Right Counting Hand, in this example, are the same for either. It's just the Left Decades hand that has that alternate variation. I will cover those Right Counting Hand thumb placement locations now. The Right Counting Hand Thumb Placement Positions. So the thumb placement locations for the right hand will also be on a joint crease over a finger joint, but this right counting hand uses all the joint creases of the 4 fingers of the right hand. We begin by making the sign of the cross while praying, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.” The beginning thumb placement location for the right hand will be as a mirror of the beginning location for the left hand. This means that the right thumb is placed on the distant most joint of the right pointer (index finger), the plane of the joint crease, and the plane of the thumb contact forming a cross. It will remain in this location for the Apostle's Creed Prayer. Pray The Apostle's Creed. Pray the Apostles Creed now. “I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day, he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. From thence he shall come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.” For the Our Father, move the thumb next door to the distant-most joint crease of the middle (center finger). The beginning countings and prayers represented on the Right Counting Hand Pray The Our Father. “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.” For the first of the Three Hail Marys, place the right thumb on the middle finger joint of the center finger, and say the first Hail Mary. Pray The Hail Mary. “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.” For the Second Hail Mary, place the right thumb on the middle joint of the right pointer (index finger). Pray the second Hail Mary. For the third of three Hail Marys, move the right thumb on the same finger to the joint where the right pointer finger meets the hand. Pray the third Hail Mary. Pray The Glory Be On The Fingers Of The Hands Without A Rosary. To pray the Glory Be, move the right thumb next door to the joint where the center finger of the right hand meets the right hand. “Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.” Pray The Oh My Jesus (Fatima Prayer). With the thumb in this same location, Pray the Oh My Jesus (Fatima Prayer). “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.” Now we continue our praying of the rosary without rosary beads, using the landmarks on the fingers and hands in place of beads, by praying the first decade. To simplify this section, for those that have already learned the method written about in the first article titled: How To Pray The Rosary Without Beads, Using The Fingers Of Your Hands As Landmarks, from this point on, through to the conclusion of the 5 decades, the right Counting hand thumb placements are done exactly as in this previous article, right up to the end of the 5 Decades on the right hand. So for this method, it is mainly the initial beginning on the right counting hand, right up to the beginning of the first decade that is different, and also a little bit at the end. For those that haven't learned it yet, I will continue writing more about this below. And for this method, the left thumb placement positions on the Left Decades hand are different than the other method. Just a different order, that's all. For this current method, as you will remember the Left Decades hand has been on the distant most joint of the left pointer (index finger) for all of these most recent countings. It has been there for the Apostle's Creed, the Our Father, the Three Hail Marys, the Glory Be, and for the Oh My Jesus (Fatima Prayer). Pray The First Decade As we start into the First Decade, the left thumb placement will still stay where it has been. It will stay on this distant most joint of the left pointer finger thru all of the first decade and won't be repositioned until we actually start the second decade. But let's do the first decade first. The First Decade thumb placement positions for praying the rosary on the hands without beads. To begin the first decade, we just proceed in the same way mentioned in the other article, which is: The right thumb is moved from the joint where the center finger meets the right hand, distant ward to the middle joint on the center finger of the right hand. Where Do We Pray The Mysteries? This center joint on the central finger of the right hand is the location for all the Mysteries, and for all of the remaining Our Father Prayers. Some people like to give the Mysteries their own separate beads. If you would like to do that, you can lift the thumb after praying the mystery, and replace it back down on the same finger crease for the Our Father. With the right thumb in this placement position, Pray the First Mystery. Pray the Our Father. We will now pray 10 Hail Marys. Pray The 10 Hail Marys Without Rosary Beads, Using The Fingers Of The Hands. For the first Hail Mary, move the right thumb to the middle joint on the ring finger. Say the first Hail Mary. For the second Hail Mary, move the right thumb to the joint on the ring finger where the ring is. For the third Hail Mary, move the right thumb next door to the joint crease where the pinkie (little finger) meets the right hand. For the fourth Hail Mary, move the right thumb to the center joint on the same right pinkie finger. For the fifth Hail Mary, move the right thumb position to the distant most joint on the pinkie finger. It is the joint closest to the fingernail on the right little finger. For the sixth Hail Mary, place the right thumb on the distant most joint of the right ring finger. For the seventh Hail Mary, place the right thumb on the distant most joint of the center finger of the right hand. For the eighth Hail Mary, place the right thumb on the distant most joint of the right index finger (pointer finger). For the ninth Hail Mary, place the right thumb on the middle joint of the same right index finger (pointer finger). For the tenth Hail Mary, move the right thumb on the finger joint, one joint closer to the heart so that it is placed on the joint of the same index finger that is closest to the hand. The Glory Be and the Oh My Jesus (Fatima) Prayers are done as before: For the Glory Be prayer, move the right thumb to the joint where the right middle finger meets the rest of the hand. Say the Glory Be. Say the Oh My Jesus (Fatima Prayer). That concludes the First Decade. Begin the Second Decade. Pray The Second Thru The Fifth Decades Without Rosary Beads. For the Second Decade, move the Left Decades Hand thumb placement next door, to the distant most joint of the Center finger (or if using the alternate variation described in italics above, move it to the distant most joint of the pinkie finger.) Now we pray the Second Decade with the same right-hand counting method as the first decade. The second decade landmarks on the fingers and hands for praying the rosary without beads Pray the Second Mystery, The Our Father, 10 Hail Mary's, the Glory Be Prayer, and the Oh My Jesus Fatima Prayer. For the Third Decade, move the Left Decades Hand thumb placement position to the distant most joint of the left ring finger (for the alternate counting method, it works out to also be in this same position on the ring finger.) Pray the Third Decade as the examples above, beginning at the Third Mystery. The Third Decade is prayed without rosary beads, using the fingers and landmarks of both hands. For the 4th decade, move the Left Decades Hand thumb placement to the distant most joint of the left pinkie finger (or, for the alternate counting method, place it on the distant most joint of the left middle (center) finger.) Pray the Fourth Decade as above. The Fourth Decade thumb placement positions to pray the beadless rosary on the hands. For the 5th decade, return the Left thumb placement position to the distant most joint of the left pointer finger (index finger). (the same location for both left-hand counting variations.) Pray the Fifth Decade as above. The Fifth Decade hand and finger counting locations to pray the rosary without a rosary. And now just keep the Left Decades Hand thumb position placement here for the rest of the time. That means it will be here for the Hail Holy Queen Prayer, and for the Oh God Prayer. We have finished praying the Rosary, and now it is time for the concluding Hail Holy Queen, and Oh God Prayers. How To Pray The Hail Holy Queen. To Pray the Hail Holy Queen, we can either return to the right hand's starting position with the plane of the right thumb crossing the plane of the distant most finger crease on the right pointer finger so as to form a cross, and Pray the Hail Holy Queen there, or we can move the right thumb placement to the middle joint on the central finger and treat that place as if it is the medallion on a rosary, and praying it there. If you wish, Hail Holy Queen can either have the equivalent of its own medallion on the center joint of the center finger. “Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy! Our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve, to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley, of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus; O clement, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.“ How To Pray The Oh God Prayer. For the Oh God Prayer, we return the right thumb placement to the starting position, with it intersecting the distant most finger crease of the right index finger, in such a way as to form a cross. Pray the Oh God Prayer. “O God, whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation; grant we beseech Thee, that meditating upon these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.” We now conclude by making the sign of the cross while saying, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.”