In the beginning, rosary chains were
used for prayer only. Each bead signified a specific prayer, making
it easy to keep track of how many were done. Over time, simply
carrying a rosary with you gave way to wearing one as an expression
of one’s Catholic faith, although the practice is not unique to
Catholics, as some other Christian denominations use it as well.
Today, it is acceptable to wear a rosary outside of church, and keep
it on as you go about your day.
The History of Rosary Chains
Although the ideas behind the rosary
were established around the 13th century, and a 15th
century holy apparition was nicknamed “Our Lady of the Rosary,”
they did not become popular with Catholics until the 16th
century when they were embraced by Pope Pius V. The rosary is
associated with the Virgin Mary, hence the emphasis placed on the
Hail Mary prayer by worshippers.
The Beads on a Rosary
Like with all jewelry, some rosaries
are simple, while others are more ornate. The beads on them can be
made of any material, although high quality rosary chains have beads
made of sterling silver and various shades of 10-karat gold. As
described above, each bead calls for a specific prayer. The most
common set up requires ten Hail Marys (the smaller beads) with a
Lord’s Prayer represented by the larger, eleventh bead. The idea is
to keep you from having to count the prayers, and instead reflect on
their meanings as you move around the necklace.
Men’s Rosary Chains
There are rosary chains designed just
for men (although, as with most jewelry, all of them can be worn or
used by either gender). These tend to have a more masculine look,
complete with black PVD (physical vapor deposition – a type of
bonded metal coating developed by NASA) details. Stainless steel, 10K
yellow gold, 10K white gold and sterling silver also provide a
masculine edge, but what really makes a difference are the sizes of
the beads. They are larger and “chunkier” on rosary chains
designed for men.
Women’s Rosary Chains
Women can wear any of the men’s
rosary chains, particularly the tri-color chains that come with beads
made of 10K rose gold, 10K yellow gold and white rhodium surrounding
sterling silver. Other rosary chains for women include one made
entirely of 14K white gold with a diamond-accented heart at the
center from which the cross dangles.
No matter what type of rosary chain you
choose, the most important thing is that you wear it for the right
reasons: to show the world how much you appreciate your faith!
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