The Group Rosary
Bestows Numerous Graces

""For where there are two or three gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them."
-Matthew 18:20

Group Rosary prayer is the best way to pray the Rosary. In Sacred Scripture, Our Lord says:

"For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" -Matthew 18:20

This verse is often quoted to show the power of group prayer. This certainly would include praying a group Rosary but is not exclusive to the Rosary. Furthermore, many popes have encouraged group Rosaries.

To further demonstrate that the group recitation of the Rosary is indeed powerful are the words of Blessed Pope Pius IX, "Give me one million families praying the Rosary and the world is saved."

He also said, "If you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes, in your country, assemble every evening to recite the Rosary."

This theme of families, groups, countries, and even armies praying together is carried forward by the words of Pope St. Pius X when he said, "Give me an army saying the Rosary and I will conquer the world."

Clearly these Pontiffs were encouraging, no, beseeching people to pray the Rosary together in groups or a group Rosary.

The Rosary is not only efficacious for personal spiritual growth and special graces, the Rosary is also powerful enough to end war and even save the world!

Besides the pontiffs, saints have encouraged the formation of group Rosary prayer groups. St. Louis Marie de Montfort is the most prominent of them.

He said...

"When people say the Rosary together it is far more formidable to the devil than one said privately, because in this public prayer it is an army that is attacking. It is very easy to break a single stick, but if you join it to others to make a bundle, it cannot be broken. In union, there is strength."

In his book The Secret of the Rosary you can read St. Louis Marie de Montfort’s list of group Rosary benefits...

1. Normally, our minds are far more alert during public prayer than when we pray alone.
2. When we pray in common, the prayer of each one belongs to all. We make one great prayer together, so that if one person is not praying well, someone else in the same gathering who prays better may make up for his deficiency. In this way, those who are strong uphold the weak. Those who are fervent inspire the lukewarm.
3. One who says his Rosary alone only gains the merit of that one Rosary. But if he says it together with others, he gains the merit of each Rosary. This is the law of public prayer.
4. Public prayer is far more powerful than private prayer, to appease the anger of God, and to call down His mercy. Holy Mother Church, guided by the Holy Ghost, has always advocated public prayer in times of public tragedy and suffering.
5. If the faithful pray five decades of the Rosary in company with others, whether in public or private, they may gain an indulgence of ten years, once a day. A plenary indulgence can be gained on the last Sunday of the month – with the addition of detachment from venial sin, confession, Communion, a visit to the church and prayers for the intentions of the Pope – if they perform such recitation at least three times in any of the preceding weeks. (From the older version of the Raccolta)

Many parishes pray a group Rosary after or before Mass in front of the Blessed Sacrament reserved in the tabernacle and of course there is great benefit to this practice as well. In fact, a plenary indulgence is attached to it. Below is an abbreviated entry from the 1968 revised Enchiridion Indulgentiarum, also referred to as the Raccolta, number 48, provided in English by Catholic.org.

"Recitation of the Marian Rosary - A plenary indulgence is granted, if the Rosary is recited in a church or public oratory or in a family group, a religious community or pious association; a partial indulgence is granted in other circumstances..The gaining of the plenary indulgence is regulated by the following norms...

• The recitation of a third part only of the Rosary suffices; but the five decades must be recited continuously.
• The vocal recitation MUST be accompanied by pious meditation on the mysteries.
• In public recitation the mysteries must be announced in the manner customary in the place; for private recitation, however, it suffices if the vocal recitation is accompanied by meditation on the mysteries."

The benefits and graces involved when you pray a group Rosary together are amazing. We need these graces in our world today. It is our hope that all people will begin praying the Rosary with their families, in their neighborhoods which is known as block Rosaries, and in their parishes.

There was a time in the United States when bishops led huge Rosary rallies. These rallies were so large in fact that they gathered crowds that numbered in the tens of thousands.

When the Rosary is prayed in a group, one person leads the Rosary and the rest of the group responds. Often the leader will announce the mystery accompanied by a brief meditation before each decade.

The prayers for a group Rosary are divided as follows...

Apostles Creed

Leader: 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 power of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

Response: 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.

Our Father

L. Our Father, who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

R. 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

L. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

R. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory Be

L. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Fatima Prayer

All: 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

All: 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 vale of tears; turn, then most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us, and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!

L. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,

R. that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

"Let Us Pray" from the Breviary

All: Let us pray, O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life death and Resurrection, has purchased for us the reward of eternal salvation. Grant we beseech Thee that while 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.

St. Michael Prayer

All: Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in the day of battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and the snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray and do thou O Prince of the Heavenly Host cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Start your own group Rosary! The best way to pray any time is with a group of people.

Group Rosary ideas include...

• Youth groups
• Families could gather for a Rosary potluck each month
• Visit nursing homes and see if you can establish a time to pray the Rosary with a group of people that would like to pray the Rosary with others.
• Pray the Rosary with your parish club i.e. Legion of Mary, Prayer Shawl Ministry, etc.
• Catholic schools can start Rosary Clubs

Jesus taught that praying with others is especially powerful as He is there within our midst during these times. This especially is true for the Rosary. Whenever you have the opportunity, pray the Rosary with others.

Catholic Mysteries Of The Rosary

Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary
The Joyful Mysteries are taken mostly from St. Luke's Gospel in the New Testament. They involve the joyful events of Jesus' childhood. The most joyful event in all of human history is the Incarnation or when God became man and dwelt among us read more...

Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary
What a gift the the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary are. Meditating on these Mysteries of Light bring even deeper understanding of the public life of Jesus. They fill in the blanks between Jesus' childhood and His suffering and death on the cross. Therefore read more...

Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary remind you of how much Jesus loves you. He suffered and died for you. "Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends." -John 15:13. You are loved by Jesus read more...

Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary
The Glorious Mysteries are the crown of Jesus' triumphs. How exhilarating to know that Jesus is God and that He rose from the dead, making you an heir to Heaven. Reminding yourself of these glorious events as you pray the Rosary prayer will keep your faith alive and strong read more...

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