Pray the rosary as a family, a decade a day

Many have heard the saying by the Servant of God Patrick Peyton that “the family that prays together stays together.” The family rosary has been a staple of Catholic family devotions for centuries. However, many find it difficult to pray the rosary. Attention spans seem to be shorter, perhaps due to the multitude of screens that surround us. Commercials every few minutes, video games, cellphones, all contribute to problems concentrating. For many silence can seem unnerving when we are constantly being stimulated. Add to that the noise of younger children. So how can you, and your family, pray the rosary together?

The Rosary continues to have immense value. It teaches us—especially children—the basic prayers of our faith. It covers the essential moments in the life of Christ, encapsulating the gospel story. It helps us to start to spend time with God in meditative prayer. The rosary is a wonderful way to ask for God’s help and Mary’s intercession.

One way to do this is to not try to start with the full five decades of the rosary. Instead, pray one rosary over the course of the week. You can pray at a family altar where the images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary are enthroned. Keep rosaries there for the children. Begin on Sunday with the opening prayers of the rosary: the sign of the cross, the Apostles Creed, the Our Father, and three Hail Marys. Monday through Friday, pray one decade a day. On Saturday, pray the concluding prayers: the Hail Holy Queen, final prayer, prayers for the pope’s intention, and the sign of the cross. Thus over the course of the week the family prays one full rosary. It only takes a few minutes a day in the morning or evening. Over time, you can increase the number of decades prayed until you are praying the entire rosary on a daily basis.

This can easily be enhanced. Each family member can be asked for what intention they are offering the decade. You can add scripture readings or a scripture for each Hail Mary, use pictures, coloring books, spiritual mediations, and music. In addition, you can add other prayers for morning or night, or other devotions such as a litany or novena. These devotions are a treasure chest of ancient Christian prayer just waiting to be rediscovered. At a time when many are attracted by “mindfulness” we seem to ignore the long history of Catholic meditative prayer. There is an added bonus that praying part of the rosary gains a partial indulgence and a plenary indulgence is granted to those who pray the whole rosary in a family group. These can be offered for the deceased members of the family.

This method is a great way to learn how to pray the rosary and to make it a regular part of your spiritual life. It will teach your children how Catholics pray, and it will bring your family together making Christ the center of your home. Your family will become a “domestic church” where your hearts are united, with Mary, to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
 
Father Goodwin is the Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Fargo.