"The Rosary is the most excellent form of prayer and the most efficacious means of attaining eternal life. It is the remedy for all our evils, the root of all our blessings. There is no more excellent way of praying."
- Pope Leo XIII
- Pope Leo XIII
Who We Are
The Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary is an international association of the faithful that exists “to praise and honor the Blessed Virgin Mary and to secure her patronage by the recitation of the rosary for the mutual spiritual benefit of all the members throughout the world.”
What We Do
Members of the Rosary Confraternity promise to pray 15 decades* of the rosary each week for the rest of their lives and to include other members of the confraternity in their intentions.
Although the obligation is very minimal—and does not bind under the pain of sin—the spiritual benefits are extensive:
*The 15 decades do not need to be said all at once; they may be said throughout the course of the week, typically in three groups of five decades (the joyful mysteries, the sorrowful mysteries, and the glorious mysteries).
Although the obligation is very minimal—and does not bind under the pain of sin—the spiritual benefits are extensive:
- A share in the prayers and good works of thousands of Rosary Confraternity members throughout the world and in heaven
- A share in the good works and prayers of the Dominican Order
- Various plenary and partial indulgences
- A plenary indulgence (under the usual conditions) on the day of enrollment (the day indicated on the register/certificate), as well as the feast days of Christmas, Easter, the Annunciation, the Assumption of Our Lady, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Immaculate Conception, and Our Lord’s Presentation in the Temple
- A plenary indulgence (under the usual conditions) to all who pray the rosary in a Church or oratory, in a family (family rosary), religious community, or in a pious association of the faithful (otherwise, the indulgence is partial)
- The intercession and special protection of Our Lady, the Mother of God
*The 15 decades do not need to be said all at once; they may be said throughout the course of the week, typically in three groups of five decades (the joyful mysteries, the sorrowful mysteries, and the glorious mysteries).
When We Meet
Being primarily a spiritual association, the confraternity does not require members to attend meetings. From time to time, some members of the St. Gertrude chapter will meet to pray together and work on promoting the confraternity.
Join Us
Membership is open to any Catholic above the age of reason (seven years old), and it is preferred, but not required, that members have received the sacrament of Confirmation. New members can enroll in the confraternity at any time; however, there is a solemn enrollment ceremony for new members in the St. Gertrude chapter every May and October. New members are strongly encouraged to participate in the ceremony, regardless of when they join the chapter throughout the year, and will receive a blessed medal, rosary, and candle. (To help us offset the cost of these items, please consider making a $20 free will offering.)
Contact Us
For more information about the St. Gertrude chapter of the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary, please email rosary@stgertrude.org.
Additional Resources
To learn more about the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary and to access additional resources, please visit rosaryconfraternity.org.
