Rosary Confraternity Prayer and Indulgences

INDULGENCES

The Rosary is the ‘Queen of indulgenced devotions,’ and the Confraternity is the most indulgenced pious association of the Faithful. St Alphonsus Liguori said, “After Holy Mass the best means of relieving the souls in Purgatory is to join the Confraternity.”
For an explanation of indulgences, please see here - and January 29th, 2000 Vatican document here

Plenary indulgences are granted to members, under to the usual conditions, on

  1. THE DAY OF ENROLMENT

    On the day itself only, not on subsequent anniversaries.

  2. THE FOLLOWING FEAST DAYS EVERY YEAR:

    • Presentation of Our Lord (Candlemas) – 2 February
    • Annunciation – 25 March
    • Easter Sunday
    • Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – 15 August 15
    • Our Lady of the Rosary – 7 October
    • Immaculate Conception – 8 December
    • Christmas – 25 December
  3. A PLENARY INDULGENCE IS GRANTED WHENEVER THE ROSARY IS PRAYED:

    • in a church or public oratory
    • as a family
    • in a religious community
    • in any gathering of the faithful (two or more) for some honest purpose
    • with the Pope, when his recitation is broadcast live by radio or television (and presumably, internet).

To gain a plenary indulgence we must perform the indulgenced act (here, the ordinary obligations of the Confraternity), and satisfy the following usual conditions:

    1. A plenary indulgence can be gained only once a day. In order to obtain it, the faithful must, in addition to being in the state of grace:
      •  have the interior disposition of complete detachment from sin, even venial sin;
      •  have sacramentally confessed their sins;
      •  receive the Holy Eucharist (it is certainly better to receive it while participating in Holy Mass, but for the indulgence only Holy Communion is required);
      •  pray for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff.
      • It is appropriate, but not necessary, that the sacramental Confession and especially Holy Communion and the prayer for the Pope's intentions take place on the same day that the indulgenced work is performed; but it is sufficient that these sacred rites and prayers be carried out within several days (about 20) before or after the indulgenced act. Prayer for the Pope's intentions is left to the choice of the faithful, but an "Our Father" and a "Hail Mary" are suggested. One sacramental Confession suffices for several plenary indulgences, but a separate Holy Communion and a separate prayer for the Holy Father's intentions are required for each plenary indulgence.
  • In addition, we must be free from all attachment to sin, even venial sin.
  • If any of the above conditions are not fulfilled, the indulgence conceded will be partial.

CONFRATERNITY PRAYER

Queen of the Most Holy Rosary and mother of us all, we come to you for help in our sorrows, trials, and necessities. Sin leaves us weak and helpless, but divine grace heals and strengthens.

We ask for the grace to love Jesus as you loved Him, to believe as you believed, to hope as you hoped, we ask to share your purity of mind and heart.

Give us true sorrow for sin and make us love people as you and Jesus loved them. Obtain for us the gifts of the Holy Spirit that we may be wise with your wisdom, understand with your understanding, know with your knowledge, be prudent with your prudence, patient with your patience, courageous with your fortitude and desire justice ardently for everyone with the all-consuming desire of the Sacred Heart of Jesus your Son.

Open our minds that as we pray the Rosary we will understand the teachings of the Gospel contained in its mysteries.

We pray especially for the members of the Rosary Confraternity, whom we love. Help them wherever they may be; guide them, watch over them and make them strong in their trials and suffering. We are drawn together by a common bond of great charity for you and for each other; keep us faithful to your Son and to your Rosary till death.

Intercede for the souls in purgatory, especially for the members of the Rosary Confraternity who have died. May they rest in peace.

Finally we ask for the grace of final perseverance for ourselves and for our loved ones that we may all be reunited in heaven forever. Amen.

Saint Dominic, you who received so much grace and strength from the Rosary, pray for us.

Courtesy of the Rosary Shrine in the UK where the General Promoter of the Rosary, Fr. Lawrence Lew, OP is the rector. 

Download the Confraternity Prayer HERE