Re-Imagining the Rosary for Black Liberation

I am a Christian minister who believes in the revolutionary call of God and of the gospels both to resist the oppressive and isolating power of Empire as it appears in our time and place, and to work to bring about God’s realm of love and justice. To that end I often look for ways to connect my spiritual practices with my revolutionary beliefs. I attended a Catholic school for K-12 and spent many Religion courses during that time praying through parts of the Rosary. I appreciated the contemplative nature of the practice, even if most of the prayers did not connect with me. This year, during Lent I have decided to try using the rosary for contemplation on the struggle for Black Liberation. I am at the beginning of this process, so I welcome input. 

Below you will find the Contemplative formula that I am using. The opening reading is a combination of quotes from Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. I have used a quote from Assata Shakur that received new life in the streets of Ferguson and South City St. Louis, a quote from Angela Davis, and a couple of mantras that have become staples in many protests.

Opening (The Short Strand) 

Power in defense of Freedom is more powerful than power on behalf of tyranny and oppression.

We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.

It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains.

I believe that we will win. 

I believe that we will win. 

We goin’ be all right.

Each Decade (The Longer Strands)

It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains.

I believe that we will win. 

I believe that we will win. 

I believe that we will win. 

I believe that we will win. 

I believe that we will win. 

We goin’ be all right. 

We goin’ be all right. 

We goin’ be all right. 

We goin’ be all right. 

We goin’ be all right. 

You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time. 

Closing (The Short Strand)

I believe that we will win. 

I believe that we will win. 

We goin’ be all right.

It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains.

Power in defense of Freedom is more powerful than power on behalf of tyranny and oppression.

We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.