Hi!

I don't know the norm in English since I don't really pray with my family in this language.

In Vietnamese, when we pray, certain prayers like the Our Father and the Hail Mary can be broken into two parts while others are said in unison. Same goes in Japanese. And before/after Mass, prayer vigils, etc.

The second part of the Our Father starts at: Give us this day our daily bread...

The second part of the Hail Mary starts at: Holy Mary, Mother of God...

With two or more people praying the Rosary, each group alternates with each decade. For example, the father of the family would say the lead and the mother would follow on the first decade and switch for the second, and so on so forth. Boys and Girls can also alternate or stick to the same depending on how vocal each side is/their ability to keep up.

Is this also done in English? I haven't seen it for Adoration, Stations, etc yet, although I'm not sure if that is because I have been living on the wrong side of America.

If not, haven't tried it yet, try it out once and tell me what you think :)

I think it's a great way to pray together. Makes prayer brisk, leaves time to catch one's breath, and good contemplation.

Downside is focus on timing might take away from contemplation...but practice makes perfect!

Thanks and God bless,

-- Vincent (love@noemail.net), August 26, 2004

Answers

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-- Vincent (love@noemail.net), August 27, 2004.

We pray the Daily Family Rosary in this method. I (the Father) lead the prayers until the first mystery. I announce each mystery, and then each child (I have 5) leads one decade. We also say other prayers afterward: usually the Rosary prayer, Memorare, St. Joseph prayer, and then pray 1 our father and 1 hail mary for the intentions of Pope John Paul.

The Rosary prayers are also divided as you mentioned at the group rosary before daily mass at our local parish and before Sunday mass at another parish we attend.

-- Brian Crane (brian.crane@cranemills.com), August 27, 2004.

Hi Vincent!

Yes, every group I've prayed the rosary with has done it the same way you and Brian described.

God bless.

-- Andy S ("ask3332004@yahoo.com"), August 28, 2004.

Thanks, Andy. Sounds great to me, Brian! I appreciate your responses. Hopefully this could also be helpful for converts or those who want to revive that good ol' doing! But, I'm more interested in knowing what others do.

Brian, your family has a great prayer life. I have no kids, and my family doesn't do this often now. Unfortunately, I and the 6 younger ones are mostly busy working or in college, not living at home. I do miss it much and I'm excited to start my own family.

Here's another question: Besides the Rosary, is this also done?

There are several prayer formats in my family, usually broken into 3 segments.

1) Several Acts or consecrations to the Trinity

2) The Hail Marys layout and various length Marian devotion

3) Family consecration, litanies, and hymns

4) Optional after 3), A few Hail Maries and prayers for the deceased or general intentions, hymns. Used when we can't do a whole Rosary.

Is this familiar? Tell me what you think and what some of the many other options for praying together besides the Rosary.

Thanks and God bless,

-- Vincent (love@noemail.net), August 28, 2004.