While the rosary is a meditative prayer that encourages private reflection, there is spiritual strength in praying it in a group. Not only can communal prayer help each individual better focus on the prayers and nurture a group of friends, but there are also spiritual benefits. In The Secret of the Rosary, St. Louis Marie De Montfort advocated for the rosary to be said in groups and noted that those who say the rosary together gain the spiritual merits of every rosary being said. Many churches offer rosary groups or informally gather before or after Mass to say the rosary together. Other resources, like comepraytherosary.org, allow users to pray with people around the world in real time.
Our world anticipates change at the end of September, as the colors of the leaves begin to be painted in brighter hues and even the sunlight takes on a more golden glow. Perhaps it’s only natural in this time of transition that the Church celebrates two feast days of angels who guide Catholics through this ever-changing world – the Feast of the Archangels on Sept. 29 and the Feast of Guardian Angels on Oct. 2. Here are some ways to walk with them this month: