In many Catholic parishes, you’ll find a group of people in the pews reciting the Holy Rosary about a half an hour before the start of Mass. By praying the Rosary, people seek the Blessed Virgin Mary’s intercession and use beads to keep track of their progress through more than fifty iterations of the Hail Mary. The Rosary is powerful: many graces can be bestowed upon those who pray it, and it can also offer special protection. Reciting the Rosary aloud in church and praying for the pope’s intentions can grant the supplicant a plenary indulgence. Many people choose to pray the Rosary by themselves at home, when commuting to school or work, or silently at church. “Currently, I pray the Rosary, the Four Mysteries of the Rosary, every day in Adoration,” said Eva Lue, a daily Adoration devotee. “In that way, I go through the entire life of Jesus, the beginning to the end, and it’s a wonderful blessing. It’s the best thing that we got from our Blessed Mother and our Church to do battle against evil.” Some people enjoy praying the Rosary with others. According to studies, praying for and with your significant other increases relational trust and unity. Praying the Rosary aloud with a group, including with friends or family members, can similarly foster a sense of closeness, camaraderie, and support. There are organizations that promote praying the Rosary in fellowship. “We started GTA Catholic Events in 2013,” said Danielle Gonsalves, the founder of the Toronto-based group. “Before COVID, we used to meet [in person] as a group, so I think praying the Rosary was the first activity we did together.” During COVID, praying the Rosary with group members via Zoom helped Danielle get through a particularly difficult time in her life when her mother was going through two forms of cancer. Throughout this season of Advent, as we are called to wait and be patient, let us dedicate some time to pray the Rosary. Whether we pray the Rosary by ourselves, with our family members, or with a group, we can be confident that Mother Mary will help us grow in holiness and bring us closer to Jesus. “If you say the Rosary faithfully until death, I do assure you that, in spite of the gravity of your sins you shall receive a never-fading crown of glory.” - St. Louis de Montford You can watch the Holy Rosary from Lourdes on Salt + Light TV every day at 2:30 pm ET / 11:30 am PT. Or pray the Rosary along with our online videos: slmedia.org/holy-rosary