Rosaries

Archive for May, 2007

Every woman who has experienced motherhood knows well how involving the life of the child is, conceived and born in pain and joy; and knows that her existence will be linked forever to its destiny. This, in fact, is the most complete and profound form of knowledge of the inner person, able to grasp even the most delicate shades of thought and feeling. For this reason Mary can guide us to the contemplation of Christ. Uniting ourselves to her with simplicity and desirous to know the Lord, we can truly make a marvelous journey of authentic contemplation.

Contemplating the mysteries of Christ is not in fact like looking at pictures in a gallery from which the observer remains detached, drawing from them aesthetic enjoyment at most. To contemplate Jesus means to immerse oneself in Him, in His unfathomable mystery of life. Mary can and wishes to accompany us in this interior journey through the mystery of love that is the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Rosary, an exquisitely contemplative prayer, brings before our eyes all of these memories, which are the mysteries of our salvation. Today, in a frenetic civilization, the art of calm recollection and the taste for listening are increasingly being lost, since news is presented at a frenzied pace and often with aggressive language and images. We have all the more need to learn from Mary, therefore, the sweetness of listening, of thoughtfully pausing on what we have heard and of contemplating what is being revealed to our inner sight.

Through the prayer of the rosaries the salvation worked by Christ is truly experienced and strengthened before the recurring assaults of the old adversary who, although already conquered, does not want to give respite to the Son of the Woman and to her descendents. He lays traps, but the Rosary is a chain stronger than his snares; it brings us close to Mary, and Mary is our stairway to Jesus as Jesus is to the Father. This stairway, however, must be climbed without turning back, without shifting our gaze from the shining star. Mary reflects the Light that is Christ himself, and so illuminates our way and dissolves the shadows that try to envelop our heart. In this way the sweet chain of the Rosary can become for us a splendid crown of glory.

The root word for bead is bede, meaning “to pray”. So when you think about it, a rosary circlet of beads comes together in perfect harmony. Prayer counters date back at least nine centuries before the Christian era and have been made in a variety of forms. There was a time when all 7mm to 8mm beads were made only for rosaries. Laws that forbade common folk from wearing fine silks and gold passementerie or trims spilled over into how beads were used. By the 12th century, Murano, a tiny island in the lagoon of Venice, was the primary exporter of glass beads and cane. Eventually the Czechs discovered they didn’t have to send caravans there to buy their rosary beads – they could make their own for the growing European market. Then came the period (1700s) of the intricate filigree bead; 250 families of Schwabish Gmund (Upper Bavaria) alone produced filigree rosaries. These elegant rosaries, also made in Austria, threw the religious into concerns over vanity so new laws were posted against wearing them. Gold enamel pomander beads of the 1500s were often set with jewels and shaped in natural openwork forms (flowers, hearts and balls). They were filled with musk, cloves and myrrh and believed to protect the wearer from the plague with the aroma like the sweet incense of prayer rising to heaven. By 1569, the traditional rosary used by Catholics had settled into a design with five-decade Ave beads punctuated by six Pater beads.

Which beads should you use to make rosaries or chaplets? Just about anything that can be strung will work, from faceted pearls to bright red plastic roses – even real rosebuds dipped in a special pliable plastic are now available. Deer horn, semiprecious stones, glass, crystal, carved figures, trade beads, and metal work well. Vintage necklaces with personal meaning can be taken apart and the beads used to make rosaries. Consider using natural elements such as eucalyptus seeds, cork, live pits, chestnuts, acorns, peach pits, paw-paw, or date seeds. Try trapa seeds or spina Christi beads, Job’s tears, pods, or anything available in your area that can be drilled. Rudraksha and bodhi seeds have been used for centuries. Sandalwood is wonderful for it leaves its aroma on your hands. Rosaries traditionally carry a cross or crucifix as a pendant, but Reliquary boxes holding relics, medals of various saints, tassels used to wipe away ones tears, or even bells can be used in place of a crucifix. Making rosaries can become addicting – it’s hard to make just one. Keep in mind that you will want to invest in good tools and supplies as they make all the difference in your finished rosary. When crafting things of God, each should be of the highest aesthetic and artistic beauty our hearts and hands can make with the materials available to us. He deserves the very best fruits of our labor. I believe this ideal should carry into everything we do.