The Family Rosary: Gain a plenary indulgence without leaving home!

The revival of the Rosary in Christian families, within the context of a broader pastoral ministry to the family, will be an effective aid to countering the devastating effects of this crisis typical of our age. […]

The family that prays together stays together. The Holy Rosary, by age-old tradition, has shown itself particularly effective as a prayer which brings the family together. Individual family members, in turning their eyes toward Jesus, also regain the ability to look one another in the eye, to communicate, to show solidarity, to forgive one another and to see their covenant of love renewed in the Spirit of God. (Bl. John Paul II, Rosarium Virignis Mariae, nn. 6 and 41)

What a grace the family Rosary is for the Christian home! And yet, with all the demands of modern life, how can an ordinary Catholic family begin the practice of the daily Rosary?

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The Plenary Indulgence attached to the family Rosary

On any (and every) day of the year, the faithful who have attained to the use of reason (which includes even children and young adults) may gain a plenary indulgence once per day by the recitation of the Marian Rosary either in a church or oratory or in a family, religious community or gathering of the faithful. (Enchiridion of Indulgences, Grant 17.1)

Five decades of the Rosary suffice to gain the indulgence, remembering that “devout meditation on the mysteries is to be added to the vocal prayer.”

To gain the plenary indulgence, the three usual conditions must be met:

1) Sacramental confession (several days before or after, such that monthly confession suffices for a daily plenary indulgence)

2) Eucharistic communion (one communion for each plenary indulgence, several days before or after)

3) Prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father (traditionally, the Our Father and Hail Mary, but any prayer suffices)

Additionally, one must not be attached to any sin, not even venial sin.

A thought on the family Rosary

While it is true that the family Rosary requires a great deal of sacrifice, the indulgences which the Church attaches to this devotion prove how valuable it is. How rare it is for a plenary indulgence to be granted on any and every day of the year, without even leaving the home!

Further, upon reflection, we can see that the Church desires that even children (from the age of seven) participate in regular confession and frequent (even daily) communion.

Indeed, many children have no real “attachment” to sin, not even venial sin. How many graces these young ones can gain through daily Mass (when possible) and confession every two or three weeks! If a family is praying the Rosary daily, it would be most beneficial to get the children to Mass regularly (together with at least monthly confession) – the children in such a family will be true warriors in the spiritual combat.

Two helpful articles for dads and moms

For dads (but beneficial also for moms), I recommend an article by Taylor Marshall of Canterbury Tales. He gives twelve tips for praying the family Rosary [here].

For moms, I recommend an article by Leila Lawler of Like Mother, Like Daughter. She summarizes her post well in the following words: “Wondering how to start [the family Rosary]? In ‘if I can do it, so can you’ fashion, I will tell you.” Read her article [here]!

I know it is hard, but don’t be discouraged!

Finally, I do know that it is hard to start the practice of the family Rosary. Whether a young family with little children or an older couple whose children are all grown with families of their own, there are always difficulties in starting the family Rosary.

If five decades seem to be too much, surely at least one decade is possible. And, if even one decade of the Rosary is beyond our capabilities, I must insist that every family can at least pray three Hail Mary’s!

[At least on Saturday’s, we should strive to pray five decades of the Rosary as a family. On other days, we remember that something is better than nothing –one decade is better than no decades. Don’t let yourself become despondent, but entrust all things to the Blessed Mother!]

Indeed, it would seem to me that, if a family said even three Hail Mary prayers daily (with devotion), our Lady would bless that family abundantly! Surely, a decade with devotion will lead to five decades over time (if only we persevere).

So, don’t be discouraged! Ask our Lady for help. With her assistance and the divine grace, all things are possible: Even the family Rosary in YOUR family!

In the comments, please feel free to provide links to other articles which you find helpful in regard to the practice of the family Rosary.