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May 3, 2016
Catholic Influencers· Faith

Five Reasons to Start a Rosary Group

This post contains affiliate links.  Please see my “About Me” page for further information.

Again, [amen,] I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:19-20

Rosarygroup.jpg

Years ago, when I was in my 20’s, my life was not where I’d dreamt it would be.  I was still single, hoping for a happier future, and often felt depressed and lost. A group of my friends and I started “rosary nights”.  We would get together with food, our troubles and each other.  We would pray the Rosary together.

We still do.

Here are five reasons why we love our Rosary group – and highly recommend you start one too 🙂

      1. Friend Therapy–  Before praying the Rosary, we would each take a turn sharing our intentions.  When we first started, most of us were having quite a hard time understanding “why” we were in certain situations and enduring certain heartaches. Saying our intentions out loud often led to great discussions among people who truly cared for one another.  Lots of listening, advice giving and tears were shed.  All of it was therapeutic.  Bonds of trust and friendship were formed in ways only pray allows.  It still provides a safe place for each of us to discuss our greatest challenges – and enables us to hand them over to Our Lord and His Blessed Mother.
      2. The Promises of Our Lady to those who recite the Rosary – Ideally, I know I should pray the Rosary on my own, daily.  Realistically, it doesn’t happen all that often.  I know this is something in my life that needs work. But in the mean time, planning Rosary Group with friends gets me to pray the Rosary more than I would if this group didn’t exist.  And Our Lady has made twelve promises to those who recite the Rosary in a devout way!  Some of those promises include: receiving signal graces, help lifting our hearts to desire eternal things rather than worldly prizes, obtaining what we ask for, and receiving Our Lady’s special protection and greatest graces.  You can see all twelve promises of the Holy Rosary by clicking here.RosaryGroup1a.jpg

     

    3. You gain the merits of each person’s Rosary! – Saint Louis Marie de Montfort wrote a book titled The Secret of the Rosary.  In this work, Saint Louis gives numerous reasons and benefits to praying the Rosary in a group. Saint Louis said it is better to pray the Rosary with a group than alone.  One reason is simply because our minds are far more alert during public prayer than when we pray alone. Other reasons include that when we pray in a group, 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. 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.”(Saint Louis de Montfort) You can read more about Saint Louis and his wisdom of the Rosary at How to pray the rosary everyday.  Gaining the merits of each Rosary helps me make-up for the days I didn’t get to saying it!

    4. The Rosary is a form of meditation.  The benefits of meditation extend to every aspect of our health – physical, mental and emotional.  In other words, IT’S SO GOOD FOR YOU!  The benefits of the Rosary extend from our spiritual health to our physical, mental and emotional well-being.  Scientific studies have shown that those who meditate decrease stress, improve their immune systems and even achieve better academically. Meditation has even been effective in helping addicts overcome addiction.  Meditation also helps those who have been diagnosed with ADHD.  It lowers the risk of heart disease and improves blood pressure!  There are studies upon studies that show the benefits of meditation.  It’s a scientific fact that it’s good for you!Screen Shot 2016-05-03 at 4.18.59 PM.png

 

5 .It’s a BREAK from all of life’s WORK!  Planning this time on the calendar is     important.  Since people you love – who are in need of prayers – are often requesting the group meet, the event gets a level of importance and prominence on the calendar.  When one of the women in the group calls and says, “I need to pray”; you make arrangements to get there – with or without kids.  When you plan for a “girls’ night”, and get the opportunity to “get away”, it really is a refreshing, re-charging evening.  It’s an opportunity to reconnect with friends and enjoy adult company.  And if there is no one to watch the children – bring them.  It’s worth it.
I hope you ask some friends to start a Rosary group with you soon!  I love to hear about it! God Bless You!  Thanks for stopping by 🙂  Cheers!


 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brittany @ Everyday Thoughts says

    May 4, 2016 at 8:18 am

    I really love this idea and have ever since I found out you have a prayer, wine and chocolate group. I meet with my bible study group this afternoon and I’m going to offer to host a wine and rosaries night over the summer. I’m excited to put some of your suggestions into practice. Thanks for your continued encouragement and inspiration.

    • Amy says

      May 4, 2016 at 9:28 am

      I am excited with you! Post pics if you think of it!!! Thank you for being so positive!!!

      • Eric Sunday says

        June 16, 2016 at 12:28 am

        I love this and I encourage you by God that all your effort put together in this web is acknowledged by Catholics in Nigeria and world over. Tnx so very much

  2. Alicia says

    May 4, 2016 at 8:36 am

    What a lovely tradition. I will tuck this in my heart for when the opportunity arises. Also, what lovely statues of our Lady.

    • Amy says

      May 4, 2016 at 9:29 am

      Thank you Alicia! Our Lady of Kibeho was given to me by one of Immaculee’s employees. The rest are borrowed from friends and family!

  3. John Baines says

    May 4, 2016 at 4:59 pm

    #PraytheRosary Former Heroin Addict

  4. Carol Goodson says

    May 6, 2016 at 12:48 pm

    What a LOVELY idea! I am not sure how I could make this happen, but I am definitely going to start thinking about it and feeling out my friends about it. Thank you so much for sharing this!

    • Amy says

      May 6, 2016 at 1:04 pm

      Carol – the added ingredients of wine and chocolate help 😉 Enjoy!!!!

  5. Alice Martinez says

    June 17, 2016 at 10:01 am

    Hi Amy, I love this site & thanks for the information on how to start my prayer group! I pray the rosary but its just me & my 10yr old Granddaughter. With the HOLY spirit & Mother Mary It will grow! P.S. My Granddaughter s name is Amy too 😉 God Bless you & Stay Safe!
    Alice Martinez
    Catechist
    St Patrick’s Cathedral
    El Paso, Texas

    • Amy says

      June 18, 2016 at 6:23 am

      Alice, thank you so much! I’m excited for you – your group will grow! I hope to hear about when it does!! God Bless you and your Granddaughter, Amy!!

  6. Karen Butler says

    November 16, 2016 at 1:36 pm

    Hello Amy,

    I happened to stumble upon your blog this morning, as I was looking at another Facebook group for Catholics. I LOVE the name of your blog…Prayer, Wine & Chocolate. It is so catchy and is what inspired me to look further! I do love wine and chocolate and my prayer life is in serious need to care! Is it coincidence that lead me here? No, I don’t think so, but most likely a God-cidence! 

    This blog, in particular, caught my attention regarding starting a rosary group. My husband and I have been going back and forth about starting a prayer group, as there are so many people in our small circle {family & friends} in need of God’s healing {ourselves included}. I really like the idea of praying the rosary. However, so many folks in that “circle” are either casual-practicing Catholics {go to church when convenient}, non-practicing Catholics and/or Catholics who left the Church altogether and attend a “mega” church. Sadly, we know of very few who truly practice their Catholic faith and would feel comfortable praying the rosary.

    My husband’s original thought was to include some scripture readings and prayer {not necessarily the rosary}, along with everyone’s prayer intentions. Despite all of that, I like the formal aspect of the rosary, as opposed to a more general prayer group. Bottom line here is that we know too many people at varying levels of faith. Still, I have to believe that most of the people that we know could probably recall the Hail Mary and it wouldn’t take long for anyone to catch on if we could only get folks to attend.

    All that being said, I am just wondering how often your group meets. Did you start out with only people who were Catholic and already praying the rosary, or at least, had the desire/interest to pray the rosary? Given the possible obstacles I mentioned, do you have any suggestions? Or can you name any obstacles you may have run into and how you came to a resolution?

    I hope this all makes sense and I apologize for the length. I actually tried to keep it as brief as possible! Thank you for reading and I look forward to hearing from you AND reading more of your posts!

    • Amy says

      November 16, 2016 at 10:56 pm

      Hi Karen! So glad you stopped by and commented! I have a few ideas. One, maybe just ask some of your girlfriends. We started when we were going through a rough time – and the girls I prayed with I actually didn’t expect to be into it. We often just pray with 3 women. We sit around, say our intentions while sipping wine and it is quite therapeutic. I have written a couple articles about this. I think the best one that might help you brainstorm would be this one: https://www.prayerwinechocolate.com/seven-ways-catholics-can-mix-faith-and-fellowship/

      • Karen Butler says

        November 17, 2016 at 8:12 am

        Amy,
        Thanks for your quick reply! Your articles are very encouraging. My husband and I want to host something together. I appreciate your suggestions…they will certainly help!

        God bless you!
        Karen

    • Amy says

      November 16, 2016 at 10:56 pm

      Let me know if that helps!!

  7. Kirby says

    January 4, 2017 at 7:26 pm

    I grew up going to rosary group with my mom and it’s how I learned all of my prayers. I’m praying about hosting a moms first friday rosary group!

    • Amy says

      January 4, 2017 at 9:07 pm

      A mom’s first Friday group sounds like a great idea!

  8. Jen says

    September 27, 2017 at 10:28 am

    I am so blessed to have found this awesome resource! I have been thinking about starting a rosary group, but have no clue where to start – and have actually never been in a rosary group, per say. Could you give me a bit of guidance as to how you structure your meeting time as a jumping-off point?

    • Amy says

      September 28, 2017 at 8:32 pm

      I think you have given me an idea for a whole new post! How to start a Rosary group! I’ll work on it!

      • Jen says

        September 30, 2017 at 7:14 am

        Awesome! Thank you! There isn’t really anything out there that I’ve come across 🙂

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There is so much I’d love to tell you about the There is so much I’d love to tell you about the 12 year old girl who colored these pictures. 

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You and I both know that the Rosary is not just fo You and I both know that the Rosary is not just for white haired Grandmas… but how do we convince our friends and loved ones to embrace this powerful prayer and meditation on the life of Our Lord Jesus?

Honestly, with me in my 20’s… it started by being a gathering of broken hearts.

I was lonely, another friend was going through infertility, another was stuck in the past so much it affected her daily life… another found herself facing an unplanned pregnancy.

When you hit rock bottom, you grasp at anything that could possibly pull you up.

For us, that was the Rosary.
How? One friend suggested it because her Mom had a rosary group she attended for years. Another (me) said “yes, let’s do it”.

If you have a friend who is deep in sorrow… go to her with a Rosary and offer to pray with her.

If this is a person who may be reluctant, bring wine. Offer one glass and two listening ears.
The Lord and His Mother will do the rest.

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The first Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat was held i The first Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat was held in 2016.
That year participants visited the place where Saint Katharine Drexel lived, worked and prayed for most of her life. Shortly after that retreat the property was sold and Saint Katharine Drexel’s Shrine was moved into Philadelphia where it continues to be today.

Since 2016, Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreats have been held almost every year. We’ve visited the National Shrines of Saint Gianna, Padre Pio, Our Lady of @czestochowa_shrine and have participated in an out door Mass on the grounds of a vineyard.

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My husband Matt gives each of our children a bless My husband Matt gives each of our children a blessing before they go to bed at night.
I asked him if his parents did that … and he said, “no”.

He said that his father would bless him with holy water in church, so he was doing that with our son one day and the priest who said Mass saw him do it. The priest then told Matt, “you know, a parent blessing his or her child is one of the few blessings a lay person has the authority to give.” 

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Keep him (her)safe, good and holy and protect him (her) from all evil, Amen.”
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Do you bless your children? Did your parents bless you?
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Hi there!!!! I am so happy you are here and we ar Hi there!!!! 
I am so happy you are here and we are connected on “the gram”!

My name is Amy Brooks… and I started the Prayer Wine Chocolate blog with the intention to share how my husband and I grew our family through adoption-without signing up with an adoption agency.

I also wanted to create gift guides that had Catholic gifts on it.

I share this today because my word of the year is “laugh” and when I thought of posting a “Friday introduction “ I immediately recalled the saying:
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What starting this blog has led to- through the grace of God- has been amazing!
I realized that I had what @jenniferfulwiler would call a blue flame inside of me - writing.
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I’m the oldest of 5. I asked my brother to give a speech at my wedding reception because I think he’s so funny that he truly could be a stand-up comedian. He ended up giving a speech so touching, I published part of it one boy’s Be Yourself Journal. He also cracked everybody at the wedding up 😂.

Somewhere in this group of pictures there is a picture of my parents. In that picture, my dad has his face painted. One of my siblings overheard him talking about him having this done as a “once in a lifetime experience “! 😂 He’s 72… apparently last weekend was his first opportunity to have this done.

Ps. My younger son recently asked me if I had water when I was a kid. He then asked me if soap was invented yet.
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Links are in my bio!
Happy Summer 😎🍉🕶🌻☀️!
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