The Indulgences of the Rosary, being very many and very great,
naturally constitute one of the advantages of membership of the
Confraternity. For although some of them may be gained by non-
members, only those who have been enrolled in the Confraternity
can gain all. Before giving the list of some of these spiritual
graces granted by the Church, it is well to bear in mind that
the devotion and the Confraternity have existed for nearly seven
centuries, and that many Pontiffs have added to the number. It
is on record that Pius IX., one day speaking of the innumerable
treasures in the palace of the Popes, took his Rosary in his
hand and said: "Behold the greatest treasure of the Vatican!"
The Rosary is the greatest treasure of the Vatican because the
Vatican has made it so, as the following authentic _List of
Indulgences_ with their conditions will show:
Part I.
Indulgence Granted to Members Only
I.
ON THE DAY OF ADMISSION.
1. _Plenary_.--On condition of Confession, Communion, reception
into Confraternity. (Gregory XIII.)
2. After being received, Confession, Communion in the Church or
Chapel of the Confraternity, recitation of Five Mysteries,
prayers for the Pope's intentions.
_Note_.--These Indulgences can be gained either on the day of
admission or on the Sunday or Feast day following.
II.
THOSE WHO RECITE THE ROSARY.
(a) During the year.
_Plenary_.--Once during life, for the weekly recitation of the
entire Rosary.
For saying the whole Rosary of Fifteen Mysteries, members gain
all the Indulgences granted in Spain to the "Crown of the
Blessed Virgin."
50 _years_, once a day, for those reciting Five Mysteries or a
third part of the Rosary in the Chapel of the Rosary, or in any
part of the Church where the Rosary Altar can be seen. Members
who do not live in a place where the Confraternity is erected
can gain this Indulgence in any Church or public Oratory.
(Adrian VI.)
10 _years_ and 10 _forty days_ for each recital of the Rosary
when said three times in the week. (Leo X.)
7 _years_ and 7 _forty days_, once a week, for saying the whole
Rosary. It is not necessary to say the whole Rosary at one time.
(Pius V.)
5 _years_ and 5 _forty days_ (i. e. 2025 days) for devoutly
pronouncing the Holy Name of Jesus during the recitation of each
Hail Mary. (Pius IX. and Leo XIII.)
2 years on each of the three times when the whole Rosary is
recited during the week.