How To Host a Rosary & Tea Gathering

Sacred Hospitality

There’s something deeply beautiful about women coming together in prayer. When those sacred moments are paired with warmth, elegance, and intentional hospitality, they become not just a gathering, but a gift and inspiration, too.

This past weekend, I opened my home for a Rosary and Tea gathering with the women of our parish. The response was humbling, and incredibly moving. When I shared about it in this Instagram reel, many of you reached out asking, “How did you plan it?” and “How can I host something like this too?”

Here is a grace-filled, etiquette-informed step-by-step guide to help you host your own Rosary and Tea, rooted in prayer, beauty, and the virtue of hospitality.

Step One: Begin with Intention

One of my favorite party etiquette lessons I learned in my courses is that every gathering has a purpose behind it, and it is important to take time to identify it. Before planning any details, take a moment to ask: What is the purpose of this gathering?

For this particular event, the purpose was to create a space where the women of our parish felt loved, seen, and spiritually nourished. I didn’t want it to feel like another obligation, I wanted it to feel like a gift. I also wanted any women to be able to attend if they wanted to, so I made this an open invitation. If you feel more comfortable starting small, do that! Invite a couple of friends over and begin there. The most important thing is just that – that you begin!

Etiquette Insight: The heart of Catholic hospitality is generosity, not just in what you serve, but in how you make others feel. Start from love.

Step Two: Realizing That Hosting Comes with Sacrifice, and That’s Part of the Gift

It’s important to remember that whenever we host, there is an element of sacrifice involved (I talk about this here!) whether it’s financial, emotional, physical, or spiritual. Opening your home and your heart always costs something. But that’s also what makes it a true act of love.

You can absolutely host a budget-conscious Rosary and Tea by inviting guests to bring a dish to share or making everything homemade from scratch. There is no “one way” to be a generous hostess.

For this particular event, my husband and I prayerfully discerned that we were being called to provide everything. We invited our guests to bring their favorite tea cup and rosary, and we would provide the rest. We can’t do this for every gathering, but this time, it felt right to simply invite women into our home and let them receive.

With that, while I didn’t ask anyone to bring anything, I made a decision ahead of time that if someone offered to help, I would say yes. And I’m so glad I did.

• Several women offered to bring food or treats, and their contributions were a huge blessing.
• A few close friends brought their electric kettles to help keep the tea station flowing smoothly.
• Every small “yes” made the gathering more communal, and reminded me that hosting doesn’t mean doing everything alone.

Graceful Host Insight: True hospitality isn’t about controlling every detail, it’s about making room for grace. Sometimes, the greatest gift we can offer is the space for others to contribute.

Step Three: Extend a Warm, Beautiful Invitation

With your intention in place, the next step is to invite women into the space you’re creating. The way you invite sets the tone for the entire gathering. I first sent this message out to the parish and homeschool groups I’m part of on Facebook and Band:
“This summer I’d love to host a tea and rosary for any of you ladies who would like to come over and join in prayer and fellowship! I’m old school and love to send a snail mail invite—let me know if you want one in your mailbox by messaging me privately with your full name and address!”

Designing the Invitation

Once I received responses, I purchased a beautiful invitation template from Etsy that reflected the elegance and beauty of the event. I personalized the design and then used Canva to order printed versions. They arrived quickly and were lovely quality.

Graceful Host Tip: A physical invitation is more than a piece of paper, it’s a preview of the gathering for your guests!

What I Included on the Invitation

What: A Rosary & Tea
When: On the Feast of Saints Ann and Joachim
Time: Tea and Fellowship Beginning at 9am, with the Rosary beginning at 9:20am
Where: My address (you could also say “Address Provided Upon RSVP”)
RSVP by: RSVP date (approx. a week before the event)
What to Bring: Your favorite rosary and tea cup, we’ll provide the rest!

Host’s Note: I specifically noted the rosary start time to gently encourage punctuality and allow guests to settle in beforehand. I also included an RSVP deadline about six days before the event. This gave me enough time to finalize food, seating, and prayer materials with ease.

Additional Thoughtful Details to Consider On An Invitation

• Parking instructions (if your street is limited)
  Note here: I let my neighborhood Facebook group know to expect extra cars on that morning, they were very appreciative I did this!
• Dress code suggestions (not required, but something like “garden tea attire” can help set the tone if you wish!) I chose not to do this because I wanted everyone to feel comfortable and “come as they are!” The beautiful thing that happened was everyone arrived in the most lovely dresses! 

This simple and cheerful message was all it took to spark interest and excitement. It allowed women to opt-in with intention, and the promise of something tangible in the mail added a personal, heartfelt touch.

If you prefer digital invites, you can definitely do that. I always prefer and feel loved with a physical invitation, and I wanted to extend that same feeling to all the guests.

Choosing a Meaningful Date

I selected the Feast of Saints Ann and Joachim for our gathering. Not only are they the grandparents of Jesus, but Saint Ann is also our parish patroness, which made the date especially meaningful.

But don’t feel limited, choose a date that works well for you. Consider a Marian feast day, a special date in your own spiritual journey, or simply, a date that works for you. Here are some ideas to inspire you, and are perfect choices for a rosary-centered gathering in honor of Our Lady:

• February 11: Our Lady of Lourdes
  A lovely winter tea day focusing on healing and prayer for the sick.
• March 25: Annunciation of the Lord
  A profound moment to reflect on Mary’s “yes!”
• May 13: Our Lady of Fatima
  A beautiful Marian apparition connected to the Rosary.
• May 31: Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
  A perfect day to reflect on friendship and joyful service.
• July 16: Our Lady of Mount Carmel
  A lovely mid-summer date, especially if you or your guests have a devotion to the scapular.
• August 15: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
  A joyful celebration in honor of our Lady!
• September 8: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
  Celebrate Mary’s birth with a birthday-themed tea!
• October 7: Our Lady of the Rosary
  The most fitting day of all for a Rosary & Tea and perfect for early fall.
• December 8: Immaculate Conception
  A winter gathering steeped in Marian beauty and doctrine.

Or choose a Feast Day that honors a Saint known for prayer, motherhood, or hospitality. These saints are wonderful companions for your gathering, consider offering a short reflection or quote from their lives:

• January 4: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
  First American-born saint and a model of motherhood, education, and perseverance.
• February 1: St. Brigid of Ireland
  Patroness of hospitality, midwives, and generosity.
• July 26: Sts. Ann & Joachim
  Grandparents of Jesus and patrons of family and ideal for multigenerational gatherings.
• August 27: St. Monica
  A powerful intercessor for mothers, those praying for conversion, and patient love.
• October 1: St. Thérèse of Lisieux
  Her “Little Way” is a reminder of finding holiness in small things, perfect for intimate gatherings.
• October 15: St. Teresa of Avila
  A mystic and teacher of prayer; strong, feminine, and fearless.
• November 1: All Saints Day
  Celebrate the communion of saints with tea and the rosary!

Etiquette Insight: A thoughtful date adds a layer of intentionality that elevates your gathering from “event” to experience.

Step Four: Create a Setting of Beauty and Peace

The setting of your Rosary and Tea doesn’t need to be extravagant to be memorable, in fact the simpler the better. As long as there is intention and love behind it, people will be touched and feel that love! A thoughtfully arranged space becomes an act of hospitality in itself. It shows your guests: You are welcome here, and this time matters.

For my gathering, I focused on making the space feel feminine, prayerful, and inviting: a place where beauty would naturally lead us to God.

My Setting Details:

• I purchased a floral tablecloth from HomeGoods that became the visual centerpiece of the room. It added such a soft, joyful touch and tied everything together beautifully.
• I opted for paper plates and cutlery to make clean-up simple and stress-free. You can still find elegant options that look charming while being practical, there’s no shame in making the hosting lighter!
• I also took time to decorate our mantel, which became a quiet focal point for the room. My mother had just sent me a statue of Our Lady of Smiles, and I placed her front and center, surrounded by garland and flowers I use every year to decorate during Christmas, and candles.
• On our frame TV, I displayed an image of Sandro Botticelli’s Madonna of the Magnificat, a stunning depiction of Our Lady being crowned in heaven. It was a powerful reminder of the beauty and dignity of the woman we were gathering to honor through the Rosary.

Graceful Host Tip: The little touches, fresh flowers, Marian art, soft colors, and candlelight speak volumes. Even one carefully placed image of Mary or a bouquet from the garden can elevate the space and direct hearts toward prayer. That is the art of hospitality: making ordinary spaces into extraordinary places of grace.

Step Five: Plan the Flow of the Gathering

Here’s the schedule I created and followed:

1. Welcome & Tea Pouring
   Greet guests warmly. Let conversation flow naturally as tea is poured and treats are shared. During this time I invited five different women to lead a specific decade of the Rosary. 
2. Prayerful Transition
   After everyone is settled, gently invite the women into prayer. I shared a few words about Our Lady and thanked everyone for coming. I also invited everyone to pause and reflect on the intention they had for the Rosary.
3. Rosary Prayer
   We prayed the Rosary together, with different women leading each decade. I specifically chose a friend who has such a beautiful voice pray the last decade and asked her to lead us all in singing the last Hail Mary of the decade. That was one of my favorite parts of the entire morning! 
4. Fellowship & Farewell
   After prayer, we continued to enjoy tea, food, deeper conversation, and sisterhood.

Step Six: The Menu

With limited time, I opted not to make everything from scratch. Instead, I outsourced a small but satisfying menu:

• Chicken salad (I bought lettuce and a friend who arrived early helped me make lettuce cups for our gluten-free friends!)
• Breakfast tacos (which were especially appreciated by early risers!)
• Cookies and cupcakes for a sweet finish
• A dedicated gluten-free section, so everyone felt considered

I also had a tea station with:

• Bottled waters
• These beautiful rose sugar cubes (that Mike found, ordered, and surprised me with!)
• Honey and cream
• (I bought lemons… and then completely forgot to put them out!)
• Extra tea cups for those who forgot to bring

My husband was incredibly helpful behind the scenes. He kept our three teapots refilled throughout the morning, each offering a different selection:

• Green tea
• Black tea
• Herbal (chamomile with vanilla for a decaf option)

Step Seven: A Beautiful Ending

While I didn’t do this for this particular gathering, in hindsight, I truly wish I had sent each guest home with something to remember the morning of prayer, beauty, and fellowship.

As I’m writing this, it’s coming to mind that I should have printed or ordered prayer cards of Saints Ann and Joachim, especially meaningful since we gathered on their feast day, and Saint Ann is our parish’s patroness. That would have been a lovely way to connect the spiritual purpose of the gathering with something tangible to tuck into a Bible, purse, or prayer corner.

If you’re planning your own Rosary and Tea, here are a few simple but meaningful parting gift ideas:

• A holy card of the Saint whose feast day you celebrated
• A small Miraculous Medal or Rosary bracelet
• A printed quote from a Saint or Scripture about prayer, beauty, or community
• A mini honey jar or wrapped tea sachet with a Marian ribbon
• A handwritten note or Scripture verse tied with a ribbon or pressed flower

As the morning unfolded naturally, most women began saying their goodbyes after about two hours, and by the three-hour mark, the last guests had departed. Everyone was gracious and respectful of our home, time, and space.

Afterward, my husband, son, and I cleaned up the house together and then enjoyed a quiet, joy-filled afternoon. At the end of the day my husband remarked that it was, “a perfect day!” It truly was.

And one more thing I’ll add for those considering their own gathering: 9:00 AM is a sweet spot for hosting.

You Can Do This

If this idea has stirred something in your heart, consider it an invitation to do something beautiful for Christ and your (and His!) community. You don’t need a big house, a fancy tea set, or perfect timing. You need a willing heart.

Here’s how to begin:

• Choose a date.
• Pray for guidance.
• Invite women who need a moment of peace.
• Set the table. Brew the tea. Open your heart.

The world is in need of graceful spaces and holy gatherings. Be the woman who creates them.

If you host your own Rosary and Tea, I’d love to see it! Tag me on Instagram (@findingphilothea) or send me an email so we can celebrate the beauty of prayerful hospitality together. Our Lady of Smiles, pray for us!

Oh and one last thing! Here is the link to the rosary I prayed with that day! It’s my absolute favorite (read the meaning behind it and look at the colors and you’ll see why).