The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary. While the rosary has been a widespread devotion since the Middle Ages, it’s popularity ebbs and flows with each passing generation. Perhaps you learned to pray the rosary as a child but have long since forgotten the details. Or maybe you have never tried it as a prayer form. Why not reconnect (or connect) with the rosary sometime this month and give it a try. From history to how to, we have gathered some resources here to help you get started.

Getting (Re)Aquainted

• How to Pray the Rosary: There are dozens of sites with the basics of how to pray the rosary. This is just one option, from the USCCB. But no need to stop here. Browse around to find something that suits you.

• The International Marian Research Institute: Resources from the IMRI at the University of Dayton include a wealth of information about the history of the rosary, how to pray the rosary, devotions related to the rosary, and so on. Browse the page or jump right to “Spirituality and Devotion>Rosary Index.”

• Praying the Rosary (video): 4-minute video with Fr. Jim Martin on this prayer tradition and some flexible ways of approaching it. Part of a series of videos on incorporating prayer into your daily life.

Start Praying

• Here at St. Robert’s for the month of October: we will pray the rosary 15 minutes prior to all weekday Masses. 

• Televised Rosary: Our locally produced, nationally broadcast television network, CatholicTV, airs their show “The Rosary,” with Father Robert Reed, Monday through Saturday at 3:00 am, 10:00 am, and 6:30 pm; and Sunday at 3:00 am, 9:30 am, and 6:30 pm (all times Eastern); or anytime, anywhere online at www.CatholicTV.com. 

• iRosary: Yes, of course there’s an app for that. Quite a few actually but this one seems to get the most attention. 

• Pray the Rosary Online: The Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore offers a pretty good online rosary option. You will find answers to some basic questions about the rosary as well as a “Cyber-Rosary” that guides you through the prayers and mysteries. 

• Rosary Army: A unique approach, rooted in getting as many people connected to and praying the rosary. Receive a free all-twine knotted rosary and then start making your own. “Make them. Pray them. Share them.” is their motto—admit it, you’re curious! Plus you can download a single-page PDF guide to the basics of saying the rosary, if you haven’t already found one you like.