Rosaries – Religious Beauty And Purpose

The Rosary, also known as “garland of roses”, is an admired and time-honoured devotion of Catholics. The word Rosary signifies both a set of prayer beads and the reflection of the Rosary prayers. Rosary has also been used to refer to similar beads in other religions.

Rosaries supply a material method of keeping track of the rosary prayers that have been meditated upon. The fingers are moved along the beads as the prayers are recited. By not having to keep track of the prayers mentally, your mind is more able to meditate on the mysteries of the rosary.

Composition!

Rosaries commence with a crucifix followed by one large, three small, and another large bead before connecting to the rest of the rosary. Praying the rosary starts on the short strand, reciting the Apostle’s Creed at the crucifix, the Our Father at the first large bead, three Hail Mary’s on the next three beads (for faith, hope and charity), then a Glory be to the Father on the next large bead. The praying of the decades then follows. A five-decade rosary has five groups of ten beads (called a decade), with additional large beads before each decade.

The beads can be made with a wide variety of items including wood, bone, glass, crushed flowers, semi-precious stones such as agate, jet, amber, or jasper, or valuable materials including coral, crystal, silver, and gold. Rosaries can even be made from the seeds of the “rosary pea” or “bead tree”.

It is also normal for beads to be made of material with special significance, such as jet from the shrine of St. James at Santiago de Compostela, or olive seeds from the Garden of Gethsemane. Beads are sometimes produced to enclose sacred relics, or drops of holy water.

Intimate Choice!

As our prayers are an path to purify our souls, the choosing of prayer beads is also an intimate choice. We want to make sure that our selection of rosaries will reflect us, or the person that gets them as a religious gift. Thus, rosaries have a special place in the hearts of many people who follow this prayer tradition.

Commitment to the rosary is one of the most significant features of popular Catholic spirituality. Pope John Paul II placed the rosary at the very center of Christian spirituality and called it “among the finest and most praiseworthy traditions of Christian meditation.”

Options!

In addition to a string of beads the rosary comes in many other forms for ease of use. A ring rosary is a finger ring with eleven knobs on it, ten round ones and one crucifix. A rosary bracelet is one with ten beads and often a cross or medal as well. The most modern form is the rosary card. A rosary card is either one with a “handle” that moves like a slide rule to count the decade, or it has a whole rosary with bumps similar to Braille. For those that want to carry a one decade rosary with them but want it to be somewhat more hidden, the choice of a rosary necklace, or pocket rosary is a perfect gift. You can use them when you want and just put them away when you have finished saying your prayers.

Hang It On a Wall!

Another great rosary option is wall rosaries. Many religious will hang a wall rosary on their wall. It is a tasteful piece of home decor that also makes a comment about the beliefs of the people that reside there. One of the most popular is an Olivewood Wall Rosary. Each bead of Olivewood is hand carved for a unique item each and every time.

For Other Prayers!

Rosary beads are at times used to say Roman Catholic rosary based prayers, which do not primarily involve the Hail Mary and the mysteries of the rosary. Examples include the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and the Rosary of the Holy Wounds.

Gift Occasions!

No matter what the preference of your loved one, rosaries make an excellent gift idea for baptisms, first communion, confirmation and weddings. Many become a family heirloom that is passed down through generations. They become keepsakes that are loved and treasured for a lifetime. My mother has one that was blessed by Pope John Paul II, and of course that is her favourite.

So, whether you want a rosary for yourself or want it as a gift for someone dear, this choice will hold a special place in the hearts of those who receive it.

Lights – Everybody Breaks A Glass (ft. Holy Fuck & Shad)