I am sure I am not alone in wondering how it is October already! This month is full of great Feast Days. (Check out our great blog post about all of the amazing Saints we celebrate this month!) The month of October is also dedicated to the Holy Rosary.
I grew up attending a wonderful parochial school, taught by the Sisters of Mercy, with a special devotion to Mary and the Rosary. Every May, the school had a school-wide procession around the campus, as we prayed a Rosary together, ending in mass. I remember how special these days were each year, but it wasn’t until much later that I was able to understand in more depth the wonderful gift of prayer that the Rosary provides us. Now that we are homeschooling, I want to be able to plant the seeds of this wonderful gift, like was done for me (many moons ago), and this month is a perfect opportunity to do just that.
Here are 3 Rosary projects that can be done with kids at home:
1. Color and Pray Worksheets: Whether it is to teach or review the prayers, pray each bead as it is colored, or to make a special craft to hang up on special days, these free worksheets can be used in many ways.
2. Make a Family Rosary to pray together: If you’re feeling extra crafty, there are many ways to create a family Rosary. It can be created with clay, put together as a pre-made kit, knots along a string, construction paper, or even marshmallows… the possibilities are endless! The best part about this craft is that it can be a fun family project that can be used for countless family prayers, to be enjoyed together for years.
3. Mysteries of the Rosary prayer booklets: These free printable resources are a great resource for the month of October. Each child (and parents!) can create their own Mysteries prayer booklet, or each person can work on one and then share them as a family. These would make a great addition to a family altar or prayer area.
Bonus idea: Prayer Garden Rosary Field Trip! We have two local parishes that have prayer gardens that include large (walkable) Rosaries. These make a wonderful field trip on a crisp autumn day to do a walking Rosary as a family.
Each family is different in their traditions and prayer habits; the Rosary is a beautiful addition to include in these traditions. If a Rosary per day seems overwhelming or is not possible for your family, a great goal for this month can be to focus on one per week. With four weeks in the month, it offers a great opportunity to study and focus on each set of Mysteries per week. A special reminder to begin each Rosary with a special family intention, or offer it up as part of Respect Life Month, which is also observed yearly in October. May the Holy Rosary be a special gift of prayer in your home this month, and always!
Saint Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us.
Mary our Good Mother, pray for us.
Print the Color and Pray Worksheets here!
Print the Mysteries of the Rosary prayer booklets here!
