This was posted by Alex at YourCatholic.com. Reposted with permission.
I could not agree more with you about TV watching. Some three years ago we stopped watching and do not miss it one bit. We rent movies one or two nights a week and watch them as a family (all six of us climb on my bed with plenty of pop corn chips and dip) additionally we play games like checkers, memory or scrable and could not think of a better time to let the kids know that we are there for them and with them.
As far as praying, we cannot presume that every method will work the same for every one. However, I would never question the wisdom of the church or the powerful intersession of the Blessed Virgin and I have to agree with Denise when it comes to the rosary as a family; not only because it carries many indulgences, but also because the grace that flaws from it when the mysteries are properly announced, explained and meditated upon.
This is the way I introduced it to my kids:
One night a week we would all sit in the living room, after lighting a blessed candle, we sang church songs specially kids songs and seasonal hymns for 15 or 20 minutes, then we started with the Sign of the Cross and the Creed, immediately after, we offer and dedicated the rosary, starting with me as head of the family, and then my wife and each of the kids, lastly any friends present (it is not rare that some of the kids friends join in for song and prayer) pray openly for whomever or whatever intention they may chose.
The Our Father is sung, followed by the offering of the first three Hail Marys for Faith, Hope, and Charity.
Each of the kids announces one mystery, and we start the decade with the singing of the first Hail Mary; to close the decade we sing a short song, and go on to the next.
The experience has been such a blessing that I now use the rosary as a catechetical tool; and after sixteen sessions (one to explain the Creed and Our Father and one for each mystery) most teens are able to explain and defend the basic believes of the Catholic Faith and apply them in every day situations.
So far we have never experienced problems, and it has been an absolute blessing for family and friends.
In fact two of my boys (ages 7 & 10) lead a bilingual rosary every Friday, at a local Nursing Home, taking turns to announce each mystery with its respective fruit. And it is common that employees and the families of the elderly ask us to pray with them additional rosaries in times of crisis or when the death of the elderly is imminent.
The results can be measured by mi kids ability to speak clearly and without fear in front of a crowd, not to mention the incredible faith they place in prayer and the results they obtain by petitioning the Lord directly or through the intersession of the Blessed Mother.
Alex
I could not agree more with you about TV watching. Some three years ago we stopped watching and do not miss it one bit. We rent movies one or two nights a week and watch them as a family (all six of us climb on my bed with plenty of pop corn chips and dip) additionally we play games like checkers, memory or scrable and could not think of a better time to let the kids know that we are there for them and with them.
As far as praying, we cannot presume that every method will work the same for every one. However, I would never question the wisdom of the church or the powerful intersession of the Blessed Virgin and I have to agree with Denise when it comes to the rosary as a family; not only because it carries many indulgences, but also because the grace that flaws from it when the mysteries are properly announced, explained and meditated upon.
This is the way I introduced it to my kids:
One night a week we would all sit in the living room, after lighting a blessed candle, we sang church songs specially kids songs and seasonal hymns for 15 or 20 minutes, then we started with the Sign of the Cross and the Creed, immediately after, we offer and dedicated the rosary, starting with me as head of the family, and then my wife and each of the kids, lastly any friends present (it is not rare that some of the kids friends join in for song and prayer) pray openly for whomever or whatever intention they may chose.
The Our Father is sung, followed by the offering of the first three Hail Marys for Faith, Hope, and Charity.
Each of the kids announces one mystery, and we start the decade with the singing of the first Hail Mary; to close the decade we sing a short song, and go on to the next.
The experience has been such a blessing that I now use the rosary as a catechetical tool; and after sixteen sessions (one to explain the Creed and Our Father and one for each mystery) most teens are able to explain and defend the basic believes of the Catholic Faith and apply them in every day situations.
So far we have never experienced problems, and it has been an absolute blessing for family and friends.
In fact two of my boys (ages 7 & 10) lead a bilingual rosary every Friday, at a local Nursing Home, taking turns to announce each mystery with its respective fruit. And it is common that employees and the families of the elderly ask us to pray with them additional rosaries in times of crisis or when the death of the elderly is imminent.
The results can be measured by mi kids ability to speak clearly and without fear in front of a crowd, not to mention the incredible faith they place in prayer and the results they obtain by petitioning the Lord directly or through the intersession of the Blessed Mother.
Alex
