Rosaries

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Jotobo

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Hello,

I have been getting a bit more serious about praying the Rosary everyday (I miss days here and there, but I sure do try) and I was curious about a few things.

The one I bought does not have the piece where the face of Mary is; is that normal? Most of them I see have this part in the “chain”.

Is it common to own more than one?

How much do you really need to spend to get a solid one? I see some that seem to have really solid chain links but cheaper beads and also vice versa.

Are there any other good prayers you can use it for aside from the Mysteries and the Divine Mercy Chaplet?

Keep in mind I am only 10 weeks into RCIA and I am just curious and I have found that this forum has been an excellent resource for questions and answers.
 
Hi.

The centerpiece that is at the bottom of the Rosary circlet is optional. Some examples of centerpieces are medallions of saints, various apparitions of Mary like Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, relics, soil from Jerusalem, Holy Water from Lordes, etc…they are as varied as you can imagine. They even make multi colored Rosary bead sets like the pro-life rosary for which each color takes on a whole symbolism. Some folks even like to build their own Rosary.

I never really gave this much thought but I own many different sets of Rosaries. Some were gifts, some were inherited from grandparents.

I accidentally broke a Rosary while clutching it too tightly in my sleep last year when I was praying for my mom and so I went and bought myself a more rugged rosary made of large wooden beads and heavy corded string that should not break so easily. That particular roary has no centerpiece and it is the one I bring with me everywhere.

As for other Rosary devotions I know of St. Michael’s (the Archangel) Chaplet and 54 Day Rosary Novena
 
Jotobo said:
Hello,

I have been getting a bit more serious about praying the Rosary everyday (I miss days here and there, but I sure do try) and I was curious about a few things.
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If you’re going to pray the Rosary everyday (or attempt to at least), maybe you should look in to groups like The Rosary Confraternity. By becoming a member (it’s free), you will pray in union with other members.
The one I bought does not have the piece where the face of Mary is; is that normal? Most of them I see have this part in the “chain”.
Click to expand...
As YankeeRC has already mentioned, there are different center pieces. I’m currently trying to find a St. Dismas center piece for a Rosary I’m making (St. Dismas is my Confirmation name).
Is it common to own more than one?
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Most definitely. I own four: my Knights of Columbus rosary, a Rosary blessed by Pope Benedict XVI, a Rosary I just bought at the National Shrine that was made in Gaza, and a spare Rosary I keep in my car.
How much do you really need to spend to get a solid one? I see some that seem to have really solid chain links but cheaper beads and also vice versa.
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It obviously varies depending on where you buy them, but expect to spend over $30 for a good one. I make wired rosaries and can attest to how difficult they are to make!
Keep in mind I am only 10 weeks into RCIA and I am just curious and I have found that this forum has been an excellent resource for questions and answers.
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Deo gratias!!! Welcome home. Are you going to be baptized and/or confirmed this Easter vigil?
 
I will be confirmed on the day before Easter; I was baptized as a baby. My seven year old daughter will be baptized the same night! Really cool!

The rosary I bought has wood beads and thread like “rope” (for lack of a better term).

Its bulky and isnt very pliable so it is hard to carry with me.

I would like to get another one that is durable, that I can take with me everywhere, and that will last me a long, long time.

Any suggestions? General advice in what to look for?
 
I once got a cheap string and plastic bead rosary at an Operation Rescue prayer service. They use them when they expect to get arrested. It is great for use where an ordinary rosary would get damaged. It’s gone through several operations with me. One doctor didn’t appreciate it. I tie it into the wrist band the hospital puts on you. Also I take it to bed at night so I can say it if I get insomnia in the middle of the night.
 
Jotobo said:
Hello,

I have been getting a bit more serious about praying the Rosary everyday (I miss days here and there, but I sure do try) and I was curious about a few things.

The one I bought does not have the piece where the face of Mary is; is that normal? Most of them I see have this part in the “chain”.

Is it common to own more than one?

How much do you really need to spend to get a solid one? I see some that seem to have really solid chain links but cheaper beads and also vice versa.

Are there any other good prayers you can use it for aside from the Mysteries and the Divine Mercy Chaplet?

Keep in mind I am only 10 weeks into RCIA and I am just curious and I have found that this forum has been an excellent resource for questions and answers.
Click to expand...
We have dozens of Rosaries in our house. Whenever family or friends go on holiday we ask them to buy a Rosary for us.
 
Thanks for the link reaganjn! Those Rosaries are beautiful. 🙂

For those that don’t have the funds to purchase the wire looped Rosary right away but want something just as durable, you can make a corded knot Rosary with these instructions here:

lifeisaprayer.com/articles/religion/how-to-make-knot-rosary

They can also be purchased quite inexpensively online. I loved these when I was a student because you can put them anywhere, and they don’t mind getting twisted or accidentally tossed in the laundry or anything else that careless students or kids might do. 😉
 
There is a rosary makers group here in CAF:

forums.catholic-questions.org/group.php?groupid=41

I am not a rosary maker but I am trading one of my crucifixes that I make to one of the CAF makers for a custom cord & bead rosary. I asked for black beads with deep red Paters (the large single beads between decades) to use when I pray the Sorrowful Mysteries.

I think it is a good idea to have several rosaries and to keep one in a pocket all the time. I just lately decided to get a different rosary for each set of mysteries because I can never remember which one I am on, and so I will hang them on hooks near my prayer-corner with the days over the hooks and I will carry the color of the day around with me.
 
Jotobo said:
Hello,

I have been getting a bit more serious about praying the Rosary everyday (I miss days here and there, but I sure do try) and I was curious about a few things.

The one I bought does not have the piece where the face of Mary is; is that normal? Most of them I see have this part in the “chain”.

Is it common to own more than one?

How much do you really need to spend to get a solid one? I see some that seem to have really solid chain links but cheaper beads and also vice versa.

Are there any other good prayers you can use it for aside from the Mysteries and the Divine Mercy Chaplet?

Keep in mind I am only 10 weeks into RCIA and I am just curious and I have found that this forum has been an excellent resource for questions and answers.
Click to expand...
I have several rosaries but the one I carry around with me is hand-made by native americans, and has larger beads on it. I prefer the ones handmade that are plain and simple, not crystal or glass beads, but either wooden beads or even plastic. In fact, the one I use I received free in the mail (although they ask for a donation which I forward to them, of course).
 
Jotobo said:
I will be confirmed on the day before Easter; I was baptized as a baby. My seven year old daughter will be baptized the same night! Really cool!

The rosary I bought has wood beads and thread like “rope” (for lack of a better term).

Its bulky and isnt very pliable so it is hard to carry with me.

I would like to get another one that is durable, that I can take with me everywhere, and that will last me a long, long time.

Any suggestions? General advice in what to look for?
Click to expand...
Congratulations. Welcome home.
 
Jotobo said:
I have been getting a bit more serious about praying the Rosary everyday (I miss days here and there, but I sure do try) and I was curious about a few things.

The one I bought does not have the piece where the face of Mary is; is that normal? Most of them I see have this part in the “chain”.

Is it common to own more than one?

How much do you really need to spend to get a solid one? I see some that seem to have really solid chain links but cheaper beads and also vice versa.

Are there any other good prayers you can use it for aside from the Mysteries and the Divine Mercy Chaplet?

Keep in mind I am only 10 weeks into RCIA and I am just curious and I have found that this forum has been an excellent resource for questions and answers.
Click to expand...
Congrats on you soon swim of the Tiber.

My favorite rosary is a rosary I purchased from the Jesuits of the Missouri Province. It has a huge crucifix and no center medal.
 
*Through my mom and grandmother, I developed a great devotion to saying the Rosary every day. It brings me great comfort and peace. If I cannot fall asleep, I say the Rosary, counting off the prayers in my head. The repetition lulls me to sleep and I do not mean that in a disrepectful way. It brings great peace and clarity of thought.

I own several Rosaries but use a rather cheaply-made one made of plastic beads and rope on a daily basis. The size of the beads seem to fit my hands well and it is sturdy and not easily prone to breakage. I have beautiful beads from both Ireland and Italy, but do not use them often. I really should consider “alternating” them, but I have a comfort level with my current way of doing things. *
 
There are a rather large number of vintage rosaries on eBay from estates and such for sale. Was surprised by the number.😦

Have rescued one, plan to rescue more. Just do a search on vintage rosaries.
 
YankeeRC said:
Hi.

The centerpiece that is at the bottom of the Rosary circlet is optional.
Click to expand...
I have one rosary that doesn’t have a centerpiece also. They don’t have to have one, but they look a lot nicer with it.
 
Jotobo said:
Hello,

I have been getting a bit more serious about praying the Rosary everyday (I miss days here and there, but I sure do try) and I was curious about a few things.

The one I bought does not have the piece where the face of Mary is; is that normal? Most of them I see have this part in the “chain”.
Click to expand...
The centerpiece is usually present, though it’s not always the face of Mary that is on it. It can be anything, from a big bead (or knot, in the case of a knotted cord rosary) to a saint’s medal. The image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is very common.
Jotobo said:
Is it common to own more than one?
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It seems so. It’s like those of us who collect military surplus firearms; you can’t stop at just one.
Jotobo said:
How much do you really need to spend to get a solid one? I see some that seem to have really solid chain links but cheaper beads and also vice versa.
Click to expand...
My usual rosary is a somewhat heavy one and I paid about $17 for it. I’d say a solid rosary made from quality materials will run about $20. Knotted cord rosaries are even more durable and much cheaper, but if you don’t care for the feel of knots and prefer beads and chain links, you spend a little more.
Jotobo said:
Are there any other good prayers you can use it for aside from the Mysteries and the Divine Mercy Chaplet?
Click to expand...
Strictly speaking, the rosary beads are just a way to count the prayers of the Rosary, to keep track of them since the entire Rosary itself is a long series of prayers. You can say any Catholic prayers you like and use the beads to help you keep count.
Jotobo said:
Keep in mind I am only 10 weeks into RCIA and I am just curious and I have found that this forum has been an excellent resource for questions and answers.
Click to expand...
My wife is also an RCIA student - God bless and welcome aboard!
Shepherdess said:
There are a rather large number of vintage rosaries on eBay from estates and such for sale. Was surprised by the number.😦

Have rescued one, plan to rescue more. Just do a search on vintage rosaries.
Click to expand...
My wife and I do that. Two so far 🙂
 
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