We asked our team, “What makes your rosary special?”

Oct 7, 2020 by

Diane Kern

October is the month of the
Holy Rosary

One physical thing that can identify a Catholic is the rosary. Those special beads linked together lead us through a beautiful prayer that is a long tradition of our faith - given to us directly by our Blessed Mother.

The prayers are most certainly the most powerful thing about the Rosary, but sometimes, the physical strand of beads also tend to have their own story, significance, or special meaning to the person who holds them.

In celebration of October as the Month of the Holy Rosary, a couple of our eCatholic team members decided to share about a special rosary they have and tell why it’s significant to them.

Here is what they had to say:

1

Mother-Daughter crafted

"This time last year, my 4 year-old daughter and I got really into making our own rosaries. We spent an hour in the bead section at our craft store picking out different colors, or in Olivia's case, anything with sparkles. My favorite is inspired by Our Lady of Guadalupe; Olivia's favorite is pretty self-explanatory!"

- Natalie Johnson, eCatholic Evangelist

2

A well-traveled gift

"I've been praying with this rosary for 20 years! It was a Christmas gift from my grandparents after their retirement trip to Rome in the summer of 2000. When they bought it, they had it blessed by JPII during a general audience. Because I keep it in my wallet, this rosary travels with me pretty much everywhere including several pilgrimages to Italy, France and Poland!"

- Katie Cerni, Digital Marketing Evangelist

3

Recreated wedding bouquet

"After getting married, I sent my wedding bouquet to a Carmelite monestary where the sisters used its roses to make a rosary. Upon receiving it, I gave it to my husband as a gift. Even after seven years, it still smells like the roses I carried on our special day."

- Diane Kern, eCatholic Evangelist

4

Family, marriage, and tradition

"This rosary was originally a gift from my great-grandfather to his bride on their wedding day. Shortly before my wedding, my great-grandfather passed away and so my great great-grandmother decided to give me the rosary.

In keeping up with the tradition, on my wedding day I also gave my bride a rosary; for me it is a symbol of how our marriage should be centered on Christ and to remember, like Mary did, to turn to Him when we "have no more wine." On top of everything, I am very honored to carry this rosary with me daily as an active member of the Knights of Columbus in memory of my great-grandfather who was a very active Honorable Life Member of the Knights of Columbus."

- Jonathan Kocmoud, Software Developer

So, whether they dangle from a rearview mirror in the car, rest in a pocket, or hang upon a statue of Our Lady, they are the beads Catholics hold and pray with on pilgrimage, at the bedside of loved ones, in a chapel with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, or within a quiet spot of our own homes as we lift praises and petitions to the Virgin Mary.

So be sure to grab your rosary beads this month, and as often as you can, to pray, because the real significance is the spiritual practice that they represent.

What's the story behind your rosary? 

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us!