The Rosary has been part of a daily routine for most of my life. The past 3 years we've made grand efforts with having the whole family come together for evening rosary, including setting alarms and not allowing any television until it's been said. We've also made a routine of praying the 3pm Chaplet of Divine Mercy. It has become a new habit, where the alarm rings and everyone comes, usually without complaint, and desires it as a part of our routine and a part of our faith life.
**Let's normalize family prayer!**
I set my alarm for 7pm family rosary. They joined me without argument.
We stopped what we were doing for 17 minutes. We are all called, not just the grownups.
But don't be discouraged if you find yourself wrangling littles, glaring at your teen, and wondering what bead you should be on. Some days it won't go so smoothly. Remember, simply the effort is an offering to God.
About a year ago, Our Lady inspired me to begin a once a month gathering in my home of friends and their children to pray the rosary. So we began Pray N Play on the first Monday of the month. I was overjoyed at the response. Wanting everyone to feel comfortable and realizing there are people who don't know how to pray the rosary, I created a little prayer card to guide them.
I am most certain the Rosary is a prayer that can change the world and save souls. So with a great urging in my heart, I share this Rosary Prayer Card with you to print and share with others. Have it in your purse, the room you pray in, tucked in your Bible and Adoration bag, in your rosary basket, on your home altar.
Click on to open the image, right click to save the file. Or print from the PDF File on Google Docs {here} Print on cardstock, back to back. I will include the whole text at the bottom of this post.
"One day, through the rosary and the scapular, she will save the world." ~St. Dominic
Recently I watched a video and read a book that inspired my family to attempt to pray THE WHOLE ROSARY. Being informed that just praying one Mystery (5 decades) is a "Children's Rosary," which is perfect for busy families. However, there is much grace in the traditional full rosary being prayed throughout the day. If you #makethetime for it, you may find your experience of grace and time is increased. I also have found throughout scripture and in writings of the saints, that we are to remember to pray SINCERELY, as that we do not become a mumbling crowd unconnected to the Spirit.
The video by True Faith TV & GabiAfterHours.
I highly recommend Edward Sri's book "Praying the Rosary Like Never Before." It has opened my eyes to the origins of the rosary, reaffirming Mary's promptings to pray it, scriptural and historical references, and so much to contemplate.
I urge you, through the promptings of the Holy Spirit and the Immaculata, to decide today to pray the Rosary like never before. To pray it every day, to pray the whole rosary if you can, to read about it's history, to pray sincerely, to meditate deeply on the prayers you're offering, and to contemplate the life of Jesus and His Blessed Mother Mary.
My mother gave me her house rosary for display on our entryway prayer table. This is our 2020 Lent setup, and it changes year to year. It offers the children a reminder to make our life a prayer.
This is a homemade kneeler using a garden knee pad and puff paints. Personally, my littles decided to pick at it so it didn't last long. But for a VBS craft, to teens to use at Steubenville conferences, or just a simple home craft, it is a wonderful way to promote kneeling while praying.
We've also enjoyed a delicious Rosary of Cupcakes amongst friends at a First Communion celebration.
Got 20 Minutes?
HOW TO PRAY THE ROSARY
Praying the Rosary is about meditating on the Life of Jesus and Mary, and allowing it to renew and inspire your spirit. You can pray all the mysteries in a day (recommended), or 1 of 4 Mysteries on the days suggested. Begin by sharing your prayer intentions with Mary & Jesus, such as “for the souls in purgatory,” “for healing of…,” “for an end to…”
The Mysteries of the Holy Rosary
(John 3:1-5, Luke 18:16-30, Mark 4:11-33, Matt. 10:7-8, and more)
Learn more at Catholic.com: The Rosary
Apostles’ Creed (5th Century Statement of Beliefs)
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by 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 God the Father almighty; from there he will come 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.
The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)
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.
Hail Mary (Luke 1:28,42 ; 1 Timothy 2:1-4)
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.
Glory Be (7th Century Hymn)
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.
Fatima Prayer (Prayer taught by Our Lady of Fatima in 1917)
· O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy.
Hail, Holy Queen (11th Century Prayer)
· 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.
[End by making the Sign of the Cross using your rosary.]
Closing Prayers (Optional)
· O God, whose only-begotten Son by his life, death and Resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech thee, that by 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 pray for the Pope and his intentions, and for the Holy Church.
· Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
Precious Blood of Jesus, save us.
We ask all the angels and saints to intercede for us.
· Saint [name] , Pray for us.
· St. Michael the Archangel… (prayer)
· Angel of God, my Guardian dear… (prayer)
Got 7 minutes?
This is how we wrap up our school day, every day, with the 3pm Divine Mercy Chaplet prayers. Maybe it's something you'll consider doing with yours to end the school day or when you welcome your family home off the bus. Only 7 minutes, yes. We often use the recorded audio on the Relevant Radio app. Other times we sing the chaplet, which I think is so lovely. There are a few versions on Youtube where you can follow along.
