Rosary Group Field Guide
One
What is Our Lady asking us to do?
First, Our Lady asks us to pray the Rosary every day. But she does not want a rote saying of words while our minds wander. She says, “Pray with the heart.” To pray with the heart means to make the Rosary a real meditation on the Word of God. The Word of God is comprised of Scripture, Tradition (the lives and writings of the saints), and the Magisterium, the official teaching of the Catholic Church.
Our Lady wants us to learn our faith while we pray and that is why we provide a teaching based on the Word of God each day in the Rosary. Second, Our Lady wants us to create Rosary Groups. She said, “Little Children, create prayer groups where you will encourage each other to the good and grow in joy.”
The Church was born and set on fire and sent out to evangelize the world after the believers gathered around Mary in prayer for nine days. This was the first Pentecost. We need a new Pentecost, the Church needs to be set on fire and sent out to bring Jesus to everyone, but this new Pentecost will happen like the first one, when we gather around Mary in prayer.
Our Lady is asking us to do two things: meditate on the Word of God every day in the Rosary and form a Rosary group.
Two
Who should I invite to my Rosary group?
Mary is the Ark where we will find refuge from the flood of evil swamping the world.
In the approved apparition of Jesus and Mary in San Nicolas Argentina on December 30th, 1989, Jesus said, “Formerly, the world was saved by the ark of Noah. Today the Ark is My Mother. Through her, souls will be saved, because she will lead them to me. He who rejects My Mother rejects Me! Many are letting the grace of God pass by in these days.”
Answering these questions will help you decide who to invite to your Rosary group.
Who has God placed in your life? For who am I spiritually responsible? Spouse, kids, adult children and your sons and daughters in law, grandkids, elderly parents…
The people God placed in your life is the first and most important mission field God gave you. Beyond your family, you should ask, with whom have I had long-term friendships? Are you starting this Rosary group in order to fill or be filled?
What do I mean by this? You may not have many people who support you in your faith journey. So maybe you need to begin by forming a group of those who are already committed to growth in holiness, people who can encourage and support you. If you are not able to find that small group of people, we can help you. We can put you in contact with a group to support you. Just let us know.
Have a Partner: Jesus sent the Apostles out two-by-two for a reason. It is much easier to start and sustain a Rosary group with a partner. Ask someone to help you form and lead this group. So, who does God want you to invite and who might be a good partner?
Three
Invitation and Hospitality: How to make the invitation
Successful hosts know that behind every large gathering there is a pile of rejections. You have to invite twenty to get ten. It’s important to leave your guests free to choose, and that means feeling rejected at times. On the other hand, it’s encouraging to remember that people like getting invitations.
Determine what type of hospitality you want to offer your group. You could choose to, but you don’t have to include
Food and drinks, or a meal and dessert.
Extra Rosaries and a guide to the prayers for those unfamiliar.
Transcripts of the content
Pen and paper
Comfortable seating and arrangement that facilitates prayer and good conversation
Four
How to Begin Once Everyone Arrives
Before starting the rosary, it’s good to get caught up with one another. Then, wherever you begin, it’s good to move from one space to another for the Rosary. If you start in the kitchen, move to the living room. Before the Rosary, ask others to share their intentions aloud or silently.
There are many options for engaging your group with the Rosary. You can play the Daily Rosary Podcast over a speaker. Or print out the transcript and read it yourself. If you don’t have a printer, everyone can pull the transcript up on their phone.
What content should you meditate upon? The day’s podcast, one of the School of Faith Rosary series, a topic of particular relevance to your group, a saint or liturgical feast. If your group consists of a lot of little kids, then a simpler option would be advised like reading the Gospel of the day or some story from the life of Jesus. Try putting it in words the kids will understand.
Five
Fostering Good Conversation
Give each person a copy of the transcript for the meditation or have them pull it up on their phone. Encourage them to underline words and phrases that strike them. This is the easiest way to teach them how to reflect or think about the Word of God and the easiest way to generate conversation afterward.
You could have a good conversation based on the meditation at the end of the Rosary but you might also consider stopping after each decade. Ask them what struck them or what they were reflecting on or what questions arose and discuss. Then go on to pray the next mystery.
Guiding conversation:
The best way to facilitate good conversation is by asking questions. First, ask them what struck them, then ask them why did this strike you? How did it make you feel? Where is this relevant in your life?
It’s also good to ask, what surprised you? What confused you? What did you agree with strongly? Is there anything you disagreed with?
If you notice someone speaking less than the others, include them by asking a direct question without the pressure of answering. Teach the group to build on one another’s input so that it becomes one conversation where everyone is contributing.