Gathering
All you need to start a Way of the Rose circle is a friend or family member who wants to pray the rosary with you. But there are also, in every community, people, of all different spiritual backgrounds, who may be looking for a place to pray the rosary without worrying about doctrine or dogma of any kind. Our Lady calls people to Her in many ways—and it may be surprising who shows up!
- To find these rose buds you might want to hold a book club for The Way of the Rose and advertise it at your local library, book store or yoga studio. You could also invite friends, and friends of friends to join such a reading.
- It’s so much fun to make rosaries that you might hold a rosary-making party with everyone bringing their own beads and medals, feathers and bones, and knot-tying skills.
- People have made flyers in the past (many of which are downloadable and adaptable on the website) and simply distributed them in their communities to attract new rose buds.
Meeting
You can meet anywhere but always keep it affordable and simple. If weather and climate permit, a regular outdoor location might be enjoyable. Many communities have 12-step meeting rooms that are available for a nominal fee. Yoga and art studios are often happy to share space for a weekly rent. Or just move from one house to another. Whatever feels easiest.
Welcoming
Make a copy of the Meeting Script available to all members. Any member can root and run a circle. No one is in charge. Kids can run a circle. Kids should be welcome. Please review our meeting description and Five Petals to make sure you are comfortable with each of them. In order to be included on the website, we ask that you abide by the Five Petals.
Connecting
We are happy to help you find other rose buds by listing your circle in our In-Person Directory. You will need, however, to provide either a contact phone number or email. We recommend creating a special gmail address for such correspondence (for instance wayoftheroselocation@gmail.com) and checking it regularly. But you can also use your personal email if you prefer.
Support
Those who root circles are all invited to be part of an ongoing Facebook Message thread about issues that might arise. We will also create an ongoing WhatsApp group for circle hosts around the world to share ideas and offer support. We will offer two Zoom meetings a year for hosts to get together and discuss gardening tips!
Let the FIVE PETALS guide you.
- Everything offered by Way of the Rose is FREE. If you do have space rental issues, make sure the fees are nominal and affordable.
- Way of the Rose is INCLUSIVE. All are welcome—children especially, the young and the old, those with these beliefs or those beliefs or no beliefs. No circle is ever organized around any exclusive agenda. Newcomers should not only be welcomed but encouraged to attend. Newcomers (who are often old timers of many lifetimes) always keep circles fresh and lively.
- Way of the Rose circles meet to PRAY THE ROSARY. It seems obvious but people can get into all kinds of trouble imagining there are other rituals and ceremonies that are important. These can, unfortunately, become insidiously exclusive. Trust the rosary itself.
- Everyone is invited to pray for their HEART’S DESIRE—not a group agenda, not a public cause, not a do-gooder’s short list. This is very scary for people in the beginning. But this is what will keep Way of the Rose wild and wonderful.
- The Way of the Rose has NO experts, teachers, masters, gurus, or LEADERS. No one is “in charge.” No one takes attendance. No one should “run” a circle every time. That’s why there is a script — even a newcomer can run the circle. We have all been on this path together for many lifetimes indeed — let us trust the circles of the rosary.