The Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary, or the Rosary Confraternity as it is commonly called, was founded in the 13th century by St. Dominic, the founder of the Dominican Order, who under the tutelage of Our Blessed Mother herself, developed the Rosary as we know it today. The Confraternity is specially designated by the Catholic Church for thepropagationof the devotion of theHoly Rosary.
If not the oldest, it is certainly one of the oldest groups in the Catholic in Trinidad and Tobago and was first established in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in 1896 by Fr. Hyacinth Jones, OP. It soon spread into Parishes across the Diocese. In bring the Rosary Confraternity to Trinidad the Dominican Fathers were able not only to foster devotion to our Blessed Lady but also to encourage Confraternity members to recongnise the importance of interceding not only for their own souls but that of the entire universe.
Despite the ancient origin of the Confraternity, all existing groups still adhere to the original Rules laid down by its Founder, St. Dominic. These include attending Holy Mass on the first Sunday of every month as a group, regular weekly and monthly meetings, processions held in held honour of Our Blessed Lady, as well as praying the fifteen decades of the Rosary at least once a week. Meditation on the Mysteries of Rosary is also strongly encouraged as is remembering and praying for the needs of others.
However new activities have also been added in recent times. These include an annual day of Recollection which is held generally in Lent, giving financial help to the needy and visiting the sick. An annual social gathering generally at Christmas is also a common feature today.
For many centuries the Rosary Confraternity enjoyed a membership of men and women, young and old. With the passage of time and the formation of other groups affiliated with the Church, its membership is now comprised mainly of women. However, everyone, especially young people, are welcome to become of the Rosary Confraternity. We are specially interested of the young people ion the members are aged and very soon they will not be able to be very active.
The Confraternity is alive in many parishes in Trinidad and Tobago including Port of Spain, St. Joseph, Arima including, Arouca, Sangre Grande, D'Abadie and Tortuga. It is marvelous to see that this organisation has withstood the test of time. This was only because it was our Blessed Mother herself who initiated this group. Let us continue as members and as a Church to spread this devotion of Our Lady. Our Lady on the other hand will richly bless us for our endeavours and make sure that this devotion last to the end of time.
