The Family Rosary: The Family That Prays Together Stays Together
We created our Rosary Board Books for one reason: to help families pray the Rosary together. It is our dearest hope that these books allow a family to include the littlest members of their family in this important prayer.
Sure, we wanted the books to be beautiful and fun to give a child at their baptism, but if these board books aren’t helping real Catholic families sit down together and pray the Rosary, then we have failed.
To be clear, it is vitally important that Catholic Families are praying together each and every day. And the best prayer to be praying? The Rosary.
As Fr. Patrick Peyton, the self-acclaimed Rosary Priest, used to say, “The family that prays together stays together.”
This prayer, delivered directly to us by Our Mother Mary in heaven, has the power to protect, guide, and perfect your family. We need to be praying the Rosary together as a whole family: parents, big kids, little kids, and babies.
No matter the size, age, or status of your family, you need to be praying together.
Here are 7 reasons why praying the Rosary as a family is so important for all Catholic Families…but before we get there, rest assured I know how hard it is.
I know how the kids will complain. I know how it feels like there is never enough time. I know what a struggle it is to get everyone gathered up and quiet.
I know.
But, as my spiritual director likes to remind me when I complain, “I’m sorry, did you think that following Jesus would be easy?”
Sigh.
It’s not easy, but is there anything more important that getting your family to heaven? Nope!
And so, read through this list, and I hope it leaves you inspired to pray the Rosary as a family, no matter what obstacles you might face.
#1: The Rosary Will Bring Your Family Together
The Rosary is a simple prayer that even young children can recite. As you sit with your family and pray the Rosary, for that short time, you are all perfectly united. You speak in unison and reflect on the same stories. This might seem insignificant, but it isn’t. As JPII explains,
“Individual family members, in turning their eyes towards 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.”
Making a habit of praying the Rosary together WILL transform your family.
#2: Mary Will Send Signal Graces
One of the 15 promises Mary offers to those who pray the Rosary, as communicated through St. Dominic, is that she will send signal graces. A signal grace is a small sign or message that helps us make decisions.
Should I take this new job? Should I confront this family member? Should we move to a new city? Mary is more than happy to gently guide us through small messages if we faithfully pray the Rosary.
#3: Mary Will Offer Your Family Special Protection
Mary also promises that those who faithfully say the Rosary will receive special protection. She will come to our aid in providing our family with necessities, as we face evil and temptation or in the midst of physical danger.
#4: The Rosary Will Draw You Into the Lives of Jesus and Mary
Through the mysteries, the Rosary takes us through the entire earthly lives of Mary and Jesus. Not only does this offer families an opportunity to learn about Mary and Jesus, it also places within our minds the most important images of all.
JPII pointed out that all too often a family only stops to gather around one thing: the television. T.V. regularly offers us the most empty images to reflect on. As he explained, “To return to the recitation of the family Rosary means filling daily life with very different images, images of the mystery of salvation: the image of the Redeemer, the image of his most blessed Mother. The family that recites the Rosary together reproduces something of the atmosphere of the household of Nazareth.”
#5: Mary Will Provide Armor Against Hell
As Mary explained to St. Dominic, those who faithfully recite the Rosary will be covered in armor against hell, armor that will destroy vice, defeat sin and silence heresy.
Through Mary’s perfect obedience God is able to send all grace through her. Therefore, Satan is terrified of Mary. When we remain faithful to the Rosary, Mary is always near, eager to crush the head of the serpent if he dares to approach.
#6: Mary Will Be With You In Death
Many of Mary’s 15 promises to those who recite the Rosary have to do with death. She promises that the faithful will not die in a state of mortal sin, they will not die without receiving the Sacraments of the Church. She also promises that those faithful to the Rosary will be delivered from Purgatory and be given a high degree of glory in heaven. Not only this, but Mary promises that if you promote the Rosary (read, instill a love for the Rosary in your children) the choir of angels will be your advocate at the time of your death.
#7: You Will Become Brothers and Sisters of Jesus Christ
Finally, if you make a dedicated habit of praying the Rosary, you will become a child of Mary and a sibling of Jesus Christ. And no one could ask for a better mother or brother.
I hope that you found this list helpful and inspiring!
It is our prayer that our Rosary Board Books help you engage the minds and hearts of the littlest members of your family.
And don’t worry if you are still not sure how your family will find the time/energy/gumption to pray the Rosary together. I will be sending you some ideas tomorrow!
Finally, if you are planning to grab a set of our Rosary Board Books, don’t forget that we are offering a free copy of The Litany of Loreto Storybook if you make your purchase this week.
Our Lady of the Rosary,
PRAY FOR US!
In Christ Jesus,
Nancy