The Purpose of the Rosary

There are many traditions and items that correlate with Catholicism. The Rosary is one of them. The Rosary refers both the string of beads that is designed with a specific meaning, as well as the prayer said while using these beads.

The beads are meant to help you focus on your prayer, meditate, and keep your mind free. The Rosary prayer consists of six prayers, which focus on the great mysteries of the Catholic faith. The prayer begins with the Apostles Creed, moves on to one Our Father, followed by three Hail Marys, a Glory Be, and if desired, the Fatima Prayers. These are all followed by the Hail Holy Queen. You can find all of the prayers here.

The Mysteries of the Rosary are centered around events of Christ’s life. There are four sets of mysteries with five events each, creating 20 mysteries.

The Joyful Mysteries

• The Annunciation
• The Visitation
• The Nativity
• The Presentation in the Temple
• The Finding in the Temple

  

The Sorrowful Mysteries

• The Agony in the Garden
• The Scourging at the Pillar
• The Crowning with Thorns
• The Carrying of the Cross
• The Crucifixion and Death

The Glorious Mysteries

• The Resurrection
• The Ascension
• The Descent of the Holy Spirit
• The Assumption
• The Coronation of Mary

The Luminous Mysteries

• The Baptism in the Jordan
• The Wedding Feast at Cana
• The Proclamation of the Coming of the Kingdom
• The Transfiguration
• The Institution of the Eucharist

The design of the rosary beads is important, set up to help you keep track of your prayers. Most rosary beads are made up of a crucifix or a cross, a medal, large beads, and small beads. While holding the crucifix, the Apostle’s Creed is prayed. A larger bead follows the crucifix and is held while saying the Our Father prayer. Three beads follow this large bead and are used to track three Hail Marys. These three smaller beads are followed by another larger bead and the Glory Be prayer. The Hail Holy Queen prayer is said while holding the medal.

After the medal, there are five sets of beads consisting of one large and ten small beads, these sets are called decades. While going around the rosary beads, the prayers are recited and each decade is used to focus on different mysteries.

The main purpose of rosary beads is to help guide Catholics through their prayer. There is no specific age one must be before they receive their first rosary beads. Many people get them for their children as a gift after being baptized. Others give them to their children to help them sit still and keep track of the prayer.

Besides Baptism, rosary beads can make a great gift for First Holy Communion. Rosary beads are a special and sacred item that become prominent in a Catholic’s life, receiving such a gift during First Communion is a great way to fully welcome your children into the Catholic church.

By this time in their religious journey, your children will most likely know the purpose of the Rosary, the beads, and the prayers, but this is a special time for them and for you. Receiving their very own rosary beads could help your child focus more on their prayers, help them learn how to pray on their own, and keep them excited about their faith.

Teaching your children about Rosary and the beads at a younger age is a great way to get them interested in the prayers and the meaning. You can even use books like “The Mystery of the Rosary” and “I Pray the Rosary!” to help them learn in a friendly and simpler way.

St. Jude Shop offers many different books that can help you teach your children in a fun and interesting way, with picture books and easier explanations. After your child understands the Rosary, the purpose of the beads, and can recite the prayers, you can always get them their first rosary beads.

But if you are waiting for a special moment to give your child this sacred item, after their First Holy Communion would be a great time. Celebrate this religious moment with a religious gift. The First Communion is an exciting time in the Catholic church, and this is the perfect time to let your child start their own religious journey with their very own rosary beads.

If your child already has their own rosary beads when time comes for their First Communion, there are other holy gifts you can give to them. Get them a box for the rosary beads, a First Communion pocket token, or a blessing box! These are gifts they will keep forever and use throughout their religious journey. View the St. Just Shop First Communion gifts to find the perfect one for your child.

The Rosary and the beads that represent it are an important aspect of the Catholic religion and can be taught to children at a young age. But the gift of rosary beads during a First Communion could help your child invest themselves in the Catholic faith. Find the perfect rosary beads for your child through the St. Jude Shop!