A Personal Experience!

Rosary beads have long been an essential part of our religious lives.

The counting of the decades of the rosary is a highly personal

experience, and the rosary beads we use to help the counting should be

personal too. With so many gemstones and precious metals available,

personalizing your rosary beads could not be easier. No matter what

your personality traits, there is a rosary out there for you or your

loved one.

Intimate Choice!

As our prayers are an avenue to cleanse our souls, the choice of

prayer beads is also an intimate choice. We want to make sure that

our choice of beads will reflect us, or the person that is receiving

them as a religious gift. Thus, rosaries have a special place in the

hearts of many people who follow this prayer tradition.

Significance!

Whether it is a gift for someone special, or for yourself, you should

understand a rosary's significance and role. Originating as knots on a

string to keep track of repetitive silent prayer, this string of beads

is used to ease the process of counting the numerous prayers that are

delivered to complete the recital of the rosary. By relieving the mind

from keeping mental count of the number of repetitions, it is free to

meditate deeply on the prayer.

The string of beads is comprised of a crucifix, a single bead, a set of

three beads and another single bead in a line. This is attached to a

connector, which is fixed to five ten-bead sets, each divided by a

single bead. Each bead represents a prayer that is to be recited and

allows us to keep track of the number of times a prayer has been said.

After a prayer is completed you move your fingers to the next bead.

What Are They Made Of?

A Rosary may be made from many different kinds of materials. In the

past, there have been rosary beads made from bone, glass, wood, crushed

flowers and glass. Prayer beads can also be made from different stones

like agate, amber, amethyst, and hematite. For those with different

tastes rosary beads appear in materials like crystal, coral, silver,

gold, mother of pearls, and diamonds. There really is no limit to the

materials used in the manufacture of rosary beads. Hand carved Olivewood

is a favorite of mine.

Traditional or Not?

Traditional five-decade rosaries are mostly used for private prayer

sessions. But there are more types of rosaries than the standard prayer

beads. A rosary bracelet is a delicate, stylish piece of religious

jewelry that we wear on our wrists. It contains only one decade versus

the five decades of a standard rosary. This is a simple yet elegant

religious gift that will always be remembered, as it will be worn by

the person who receives it every day.

For those that want to carry a one decade rosary with them but prefer

it to be somewhat more concealed, 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 gift choice is a wall rosary. Many people of

faith will adorn their wall with a beautiful wall rosary. It is a

tasteful piece of home d?cor but also makes a statement about the

beliefs of the people that live there. One of the most popular is an

Olivewood Wall Rosary. Each bead is hand carved for a unique item each

and every time.

Gift Occasions!

No matter what the preference of your loved one, they 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 favorite.

So, whether you want to buy a rosary for yourself or want to gift it to

someone dear, this gift choice will hold a special place in the hearts

of those who receive it.