Why is rosary round

Roman Catholic Rosary In the Roman Catholic tradition, the term rosary refers to both the string of beads and the prayer said using that string of beads. To pray the rosary is to recite specific prayers corresponding with particular beads on the string. A rosary is a made up of a crucifix, one larger bead, three small beads, another larger bead and then a medal.

After the medal comes a larger bead again, followed by a group of 10 smaller beads. Around the rosary chain there are five sets of each of these beads one large, 10 small. The larger bead is separated from the smaller beads, signifying the different prayers recited while holding the bead.

These sets — one bead followed by a group of 10 — are called decades. A more complex Hail Mary is recited while holding the medal. The prayers are recited around the whole of the rosary with each decade signifying a meditation on one of the mysteries of Redemption. The thoughts during the prayer are directed to focus on a different mystery for each decade that corresponds with a specific time of year.

These mysteries represent the significant events in the life of Jesus Christ. The history of the rosary in Catholicism can be traced back to the time of St. Dominic in the south of France in the early s. It is said that St. Dominic was shown a string of beads by the Virgin Mary and instructed to preach the rosary among his people to battle against sin. Eastern Orthodox Chotki Eastern and Orthodox Catholics use a prayer rope or a string of beads called the chotki Russian or komboskini Greek.

Originally there was a woolen rope tied in 33, 50 or knots, ending in either a cross or a tassel. Are you wearing it with no intention of actually praying the rosary or as an ornamental expression of your faith?

If the answer to either of these is yes, you are wearing the rosary for the wrong reasons. Some people and religious orders have a special devotion to praying and meditating on the rosary. Because of this, some religious habits include wearing a rosary, often as a cincture. In particular cases, some laypeople may have a specific devotion to the rosary and wear it so that they constantly have it on hand.

The reason for wearing any religious habit is outwardly expressing an interior relationship to God, not to make a statement or appear a certain way to the world.

The thought of wearing a rosary should be met with the same careful consideration. Wearing a rosary inspires us to examine how and why we pray the rosary in the first place.

It is indeed a great gift, necessitating great respect. Thus, it is vital to keep a constant check on your intentions. Can you just as well keep the rosary in your pocket so you can have it on hand?

Unlike many media companies, The Catholic Register has never charged readers for access to the news and information on our website. Ben Davis March 12, Is wearing a rosary as a necklace disrespectful?

Can you make your own rosary? What do rosaries symbolize? Where are rosaries made? Why are rosaries called rosaries? Are rosaries made of roses? Who makes rosaries out of roses? How many roses does it take to make a rosary? In fact, many religious congregations wear the rosary as part of their habit, usually hanging from a belt.

There are also several historical cases of laypeople wearing the rosary for devotional purposes. For example, in his book "The Secret of the Rosary," St. Louis de Montfort illustrates the positive results of this practice in an episode from the life of King Alfonso VI of Galicia and Leon.

I think that the key to answering this question can be found in St. Paul: "So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God" 1 Corinthians In other words, there should be no indifferent or irrelevant actions in the life of a Christian.

If the reason for wearing a rosary is as a statement of faith, as a reminder to pray it, or some similar reason "to the glory of God," then there is nothing to object to. It would not be respectful to wear it merely as jewelry.

This latter point is something to bear in mind in the case of wearing a rosary around the neck. In the first place, while not unknown, it is not common Catholic practice.

Second, in relatively recent times, certain controversial public figures have popularized the fashion of wearing the rosary as a necklace, and not precisely in order to "do all to the glory of God.