The History of Rosary Beads

The History of Rosary Beads

By Cris Harrold

The rosary beads date back to the twelfth century when Mary appeared to Saint Dominic. It was during this time that Mary vowed a promise to Dominic that if he spread the rosary's devotions, he would find peace. However, the original rosary held different beads from those of present time.

When the first sets of rosaries were crafted they contained 150 beads. This number mirrors the set of psalms that are contained within the bible. For those who didn't know or have access to the written psalms to pray on a regular basis, they could move through the string of beads and pray to God. This was especially beneficial for individuals who had no way of learning the written language, or blind.

Rosary beads however were not always strung together. The original sets of beads were stones carried in the pocket of an individual, and they would be sorted through as they prayed each prayer. It wouldn't be until much later that the actual beads were strung together.

The first Catholic rosaries were made from objects such a bone and stone. Over the course of time rosaries have evolved and have been crafted from wood, glass, metal, and precious stones. In poorer countries the Catholic rosary beads are usually made from seeds and dried flowers. More often than not the material used to create the rosary bead has some sort of religious significance. Sometimes they are crafted from wood directly from the Holy Land; others are glass beads that contain holy water, or religious relics. The purpose of these specially designed rosaries is to help the devoted bond closer with God. The string that would bind the rosaries together was most commonly made from silk. In recent times metal links have become a more common method of linking together the beads.

What some do not realize is that before the rosary the 'Hail Mary' didn't exist. Rather, the devoted would pray the 'Our Father' on their rosary beads. The prayer stemmed from an introduction of the angel Gabrielle was added just prior to the 'Our Father'. Over time the full prayer was added to the prayers of the rosaries the finalized version we say today coming into play in the sixteenth century. Those devoted that want to glimpse an original set of rosary beads can find one aboard the carrack Mary Rose.

In recent years, rosaries have become a stronger part of the Catholic religion. Originally in the 16th century, Pope St. Pius V made the church approved set of mysteries. However in 2002 Pope John Paul II announced that a new set would be prayed called the Illumines Mysteries. This brought the set to 20 mysteries. October 7 is the day used to celebrate the rosary.

Today we find that the Dominican rosary contains 59 beads. They are divided into ten sections which are called "decades". These beads are crafted with a larger bead used to say the 'Our Father' prayer followed by ten smaller beads used to say the 'Hail Mary'.

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Great Ideas For Baptism Gifts and Christening Gifts

Great Ideas For Baptism Gifts and Christening Gifts!

By KristyAnn Harrold

Baptism and Christenings are very important events in a child's life. During both of these events, a child is brought closer to God and embraces a long history of tradition they can be honored to be part of. Certain gifts can be given on both these important days to help memorialize that special day.

During a Baptism, an infant is cleansed of their sins and welcomed into the church they are joining. Some churches do this by placing the child into water either totally or partially and then lower them into the water. When they rise from it they are cleansed of their sins, and free to join the church. This is an important day in a child's life, and there are quality baptism gifts to signify this day.

One of the most popular items to give on this day is a birthstone rosary. This present builds a solid connection between the person receiving the rosary along with their new connection with God. They often come alone or in a set, with the devotional set including a specialized prayer card. Other great ideas for Baptism gifts would be an angel pin made from silver, a necklace that can be worn by the child at all times.

A Christening is similar to a baptism. During a Christening the difference is that an infant is given a Christian name during the Baptism. This is often considered a way of bonding the new child to a specific church, and establishes a covenant between an entire family. During this time, the community as a whole agrees to help guide them with the values of the church.

Christening gifts are also very similar to those of a Baptism. Often times religious medals with the Christian name of the child are given as a way to build a connection with their patron saint. Similar medals can be also found that can connect to a child's crib. Rosaries with birthstones are another good way to symbolize this special day. One other item to consider giving is again a pewter necklace that adorns the name of the child's patron saint.

There are other options for both these special days as well. Crucifixes and Crosses can be given to signify the bond with God. They can either be given in a necklace form or as a mount for the wall. As the child grows they can take them with them, or carry them around their neck at all times to remember their religious heritage.

Bibles are another way to begin a child's journey into their faith. Finding a good children's bible will allow the young one follow the stories inside with pictures that help explain the biblical stories. Often times these books can be found in a set with a standard bible that the child can enjoy in more detail as they grow older.

Baptism gifts and Christening gifts are both essential ways to help a child create a bond to a special day in their lives. There are many ideas that you can use, and giving it from your heart will help create a bond between the two of you as well.

Baptism Gifts Now offers religious gifts for different occasions. That includes beautiful Baptism gifts, First Communion gifts, Patron Saint Medals, Religious Medals, Rosaries and our hundreds of other religious related gifts.

For all your religious gift needs please visit http://www.baptismgiftsnow.com.

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Awesome Baptism gifts and Catholic gift ideas

How to Pray the Catholic Rosary

How to Pray the Catholic Rosary

By KristyAnn Harrold

Many Catholics around the world believe that the appearance of the Mother Mary in any form is incredibly powerful and is a miracle. It is believed that Mary gave this prayer to the world many centuries ago and believers continue to use it. How to pray the Catholic rosary way is an art form and one which many Catholics are taught from an early age.

The rosary meaning rose garden in Latin is a Catholic devotion which is made up of both the prayer beads and the actual prayer itself. You can combine a vocal prayer either silent or said out loud with mediation and positive thinking. The Lord's Prayer will be repeated over and over followed by ten praying of Hail Mary and then a single prayer of Glory is to the father. Every one of these sequences is commonly known as a decade. Many people have their own unique rosary beads but the prayers are always the same.

The history behind the rosary does vary and many people believe the rosary was given to Saint Dominic in an apparition of the Virgin Mary in 1214. The actual beads are simply an easier way to keep track of the number of Hail Mary's you have performed. Your fingers will move over the beads as you are reciting the prayers, because you do not have to keep count in your head you will able to focus on the full effect of how to pray the Catholic rosary way.

There are several different unique rosary beads; one is a five decade rosary, which contains five groups of ten beads. These will have additional larger beads, before each decade. There are rosary beads which contain 15 decades which corresponds with the traditional feeling that there were 15 mysteries of the rosary. These are often attached to a shorter strand which will have a crucifix, then a larger bead and then smaller beads along the rosary. The beads can be made from a variety of different materials including bone, glass, wood and semi precious stones. The design and style of the rosary is entirely up to your taste and budget as some of the more elaborate ones can be expensive.

Some unique rosary beads will be made from a material with certain significance, such as olive seeds from the holy gardens. Although very rare some rosaries are made from the rosary pea which can only be found in certain areas of the world. There are other forms of rosary including rings, bracelets and even a card, these have been used instead of the traditional form and some people even prefer these.

You can obtain your rosary from a Catholic bookstore or church, you may have had one passed down to you from an older relative. However you obtained your unique rosary it will be important and have meaning to you. Every time you pray it will be your guide and enable you to feel more at peace with yourself and the world.

Baptism Gifts Now offers religious gifts for different occasions. To include: Baptism gifts, First Communion gifts, Patron Saint Medals, Religious Medals, Rosaries and hundreds of other quality religious related gifts.

For all your religious gift needs please visit http://www.baptismgiftsnow.com.
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