The Indulgences of the Rosary
To foster the love of and universal use of the Rosary, the popes have given priests the power to bless the Rosary, and when they do each bead carries with it an Indulgence.
An Indulgence is the remission of the temporal punishment we suffer for our sins either in Purgatory or on earth. A Plenary Indulgence remits all the temporal punishment due to sin. A Partial Indulgence remits part of it.
There are various kinds of blessings for Rosaries and each carries with it a different kind of Indulgence. One blessing is called the Dominican Blessing, for St. Dominic who received the Rosary from Our Lady. This blessing enables one to gain another 100 days Indulgence on each bead.
Another Indulgence is called the Apostolic Indulgence. This is the blessing of the Pope that is given through a duly authorized priest. One who is dying and has such a rosary or crucifix, and tried his best to confess and receive Holy Communion, and if this was not possible, is sorry for his sins and with a contrite heart invokes the name of Jesus may gain a plenary indulgence at the hour of death.
Another one is called the Crosier Indulgence, which makes us think of the cross on the Rosary. This blessing grants an indulgence of five hundred days for each Our Father and Hail Mary that we say on the beads, even though we say only a few Hail Mary’s on it, instead of the whole rosary.
Does your rosary have all these valuable blessings? One may gain all the above blessings on the same rosary and crucifix. However, one and the same blessing will not avail to gain all the indulgences mentioned unless expressly declared. Ask your priest about this. Remember: a blessed Rosary is a Sacramental; and Indulgences not only help you, but can be applied to the Poor Souls in Purgatory as well.
St. Dominic also started the Confraternity of the Rosary (now an Archconfraternity) entrusted to the Dominicans by the Holy See more than 500 years ago. The Confraternity members were Dominic’s "shock troops" working with him to fight heresy and evil. They have also been historically, the "shock troops" of the Holy See.
Its members promise (not binding under pain of sin) to pray the 15 decades of the Rosary during the course of each week and its members must have their names inscribed in the register of the Confraternity. Their work is the promotion of the Holy Rosary. If one belongs to the Confraternity and keeps his simple promise, he receives:
- The special protection of the Mother of God
- A share in the prayer of countless thousands of members worldwide – even after death
- A share in the prayers, Masses and apostolic works of the entire Dominican Order
- The intercession of the entire heavenly court. (This is a promise given by Our Lady)
- Various plenary and partial indulgences which can also be applied to the Poor Souls
To join the Archconfraternity of the Holy Rosary, and to have one’s name inscribed in it and receive the countless blessings and indulgences from it: write to:
The Rosary Center
PO box 3617
Portland, OR 97208, USA
and/or
Check their beautiful websitE:
THE CONFRATERNITY OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY at:
www.rosary-center.org/nroscon.htm
