About a decade ago our family started saying the rosary together. I had read in a book about Medjugorje (sp?) that Our Lady had said that when a family says the rosary, Satan is helpless. I thought that sounds good to me. Raising children in today's world is such a daunting task. I didn't want to pass up any potential weapon.
So we started. Within a few months tensions that had been present in our family mysteriously disappeared. There was a peace about our home. Children who had complained in the beginning started reminding us to say it. We don't say it every night. Most weeks we'll say it at least a couple of times.
I don't know if this is the best way to do it, but we tried to make it very do-able. Toddlers had to stay with us but could play with toys and basically do anything they wanted that wasn't too distracting. Preschoolers could draw pictures of the decades. Anyone could look at rosary picture books or color in rosary coloring books. They started on the mystery we were saying, but they could move to any mystery their interest took them to. Anyone could volunteer to lead. They could bring their pillows and lie on the floor. They could lie on the couch. If they were too tired they could close their eyes and pray to themselves instead of out loud. If someone was very sleepy we would say it in their room as they fell asleep.
It worked. We had everyone participating without complaint. Now, older teenagers are asked to join us, but not always required to. Usually they will join in after a decade or two.
I cannot recommend this practice enough. It has had a profound impact on the spiritual life of our family. Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us.
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