Page 357 - 聖母軍團員手冊（英文版，2014年5月-2022年1月更新版）

Legion HANDBOOK D10944_1 26/02/2014 15:53 Page 352

APPENDIX 7

THE CONFRATERNITY OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY
1. This is an association that unites into one great family
the faith ful who undertake to recite the twenty decades of the
Rosary at least once a week. Membership of a family implies a
sharing among the members. Those who join the Rosary
Confraternity are invited to place in Our Lady’s hands not
only their rosaries, but the value of all their works, sufferings
and prayers, to be distributed as seems best to her among the
other members and for the needs of the Church. The
Confraternity was founded by the Dominican Alan de la
Roche in the year 1470. Its promotion is a special respons -
ibility of the Dominican family. For this reason all those
inscribed become sharers in the spiritual benefits of the Order.
2. The fact that St. Louis-Marie de Montfort was not only a
member of the Confraternity, but devoted himself ardently to
its propagation, should be a headline for legionaries. The
following interesting document is still in existence: “We, the
Provincial of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), do certify
and declare that Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort, Brother
of our Third Order, preaches everywhere and with much zeal,
edification, and fruit, the Confra ternity of the Rosary in all
the Missions which he gives continually in the towns and
country places.”
3. In order to join, one’s full name must be enrolled on the
register in a Church where the Confraternity has been
established. To obtain the many indulgences and privileges of
membership it is necessary to meditate on the mysteries as best
one can while reciting the prayers. It was St. Louis-Marie de
Montfort who said that “medita tion is the soul of the Rosary.”
The obligation to recite the twenty decades at least once a
week does not bind under sin. The ordinary daily Rosary more
than fulfills. The entire Rosary need not be said together; the
decades may be recited one or more at a time according to
convenience. There is no obligatory meeting or subscription.
4. Some of the advantages of the Confraternity are as
follows: (a) The special protection of Our Lady, Queen of the
Rosary; (b) a share in all the good works and spiritual benefits
of the members of the Dominican Order and of the Rosary

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