The Rosary is therefore a wonderful way to pray as we invite God’s grace to overcome our addictions, compulsions, and unhealthy attachments. I was able to overcome my addiction to pornography by praying the Rosary daily as a supplement to working the Twelve Steps and frequenting the sacraments (Reconciliation and the Eucharist). Over time, I began to experience longer-lasting freedom and eventually total freedom from giving into the temptation of looking at pornography. My freedom from this lust-related behavior, through the aid of the Rosary, has allowed me to experience personally the request we encounter in today’s Responsorial Psalm: “A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me” (Psalm 51:10). In His mercy, God has given me a clean heart and steadfast spirit, and He will do the same for all of us if we pray to Him regularly and trust in His divine healing, one day at a time.

Reflection Questions

• Do you pray the Rosary daily as a supplement to working the Twelve Steps and frequenting the sacraments to help you overcome your addictions, compulsions, and unhealthy attachments? Why or why not?
• What prayers have you learned throughout your recovery journey that enable God to give you a clean heart and steadfast spirit?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19
Gospel: Matthew 16:13-23

Reflection by Marty T.