This rosary is inherited from my grandmother. It is a worn wooden rosary, I got it when I was 12 years old. After 20 years of serious prayer I start wondering if this is the right rosary for me.
Understanding your prayer environment
This also brings to mind the location in which you will be using your rosary. A rosary that you plan to use in your bedroom to pray before bed would likely be very different from a rosary that you intend to carry in your purse to pray throughout the day. A walking meditation rosary would likely be quite different from a rosary that you intend to use in your daily prayers in your living room. And so, durability will play a large role in your choice of a rosary for daily use on a daily basis.
A rosary for daily prayer would require to be more durable than one used for weekly prayer. For example, traveling with a rosary would require a very portable rosary, yet very sturdy to withstand travel. And a rosary used in a bedroom would be best if it were delicate in nature and not prone to getting lost or broken.
Material considerations that matter
The wood of your rosary will naturally develop a patina as you prayerfully use your rosary. This is a wonderful characteristic of a wooden rosary because it makes for a very natural feeling rosary. As most people pray with their rosary on their knees on the floor, the rosary is pressed against the floor which is made of wood. That being said, it is very important to know that not all woods are created equal. There are certain qualities that differ from one type of wood to another. For instance, a rosary made from olive wood connects the person praying the rosary to the Holy Land whereas a rosary made from another type of wood connects the person praying the rosary to another place in the world.
Glass rosary beads are another option for those that like to have beads that catch the light. In recent years crystal rosary beads have become very popular, they vary in price but you can find simple pressed glass rosary beads as well as high-end gemstone rosary beads. In addition to wooden rosary beads there are also metal rosary beads available, these are typically made from silver or gold-toned metal. Metal rosary beads are extremely durable but may feel cold in winter prayer.
There are also Natural stones that you can use for the rosary beads. There are many to choose from, each having their own symbolism and spiritual properties. However, However, for daily serious prayer it is more practical to go for a rosary with beads made of Plastic or resin. They are cheap, so not too much of a problem if they are lost. They can also be very durable, and make very beautiful rosaries.
On the other hand, to many people’s surprise, plastic and resin rosaries can be so affordable, yet of such great quality. Yes, you read that right – of great quality and very affordable at the same time. That is why there are so many rosaries of this sort available for purchase. They are ideal for the children, as travel rosaries, as outdoor rosaries that can get lost or damaged quickly.
Bead size and hand comfort
A rosary with more beads of a larger circumference will cause you to pray at a slower pace. It can be very meditative. A rosary with a lot of smaller beads of higher circumference will cause you to pray the decades of the rosary at a faster pace. These types of rosaries are not as easy to use for people with arthritis in their fingers or for people with limited dexterity.
Most rosary beads are about 6mm to 8mm in diameter. These types of beads promote a good pace for prayer. Finger rosaries on the other hand have beads that have been compressed in order to fit on your finger. Typically these type of beads are about 4mm in diameter and smaller. Large rosary beads are 10mm in diameter or larger.
In terms of surface texture, smooth beads are generally the easiest to move from bead to bead, and so can be the most helpful for those who are looking for a distraction-free rosary. On the other hand, faceted or carved beads can have all sorts of surfaces, and thus can offer a great deal of variety for those who are looking for a rosary to use in their meditation, as well as to offer focal points for their prayers.
Chain and connector strength
The links that connect the different parts of a rosary can be the weakest link of the rosary.
Chains and connector issues on a rosary can be a huge problem. For carrying in a pocket on a daily basis, very delicate chains are usually not a good idea. There are heavier chains that can be used for daily Mass, but they are often too heavy or too large. Some people are very active in prayer and love wire wrapping for a rosary. Others like a knotted cord between the beads of a rosary. This is soft to the touch and very traditional. The strongest connection of beads is using metal jump rings. These do have the job well, but can get caught in clothing, in one’s bag, or in other items.
Crucifix and centerpiece selection
A good Crucifix or center piece of a Rosary is one that will not be a distraction to you during your prayer. They can be very ornate or simple, whichever you prefer to use for your meditation. The Crucifix should be proportional to the rest of the rosary. It should not be so large that it makes an unbalanced looking rosary and gets caught in your clothes from time to time. On the other hand, it should not be so small that it gets lost in the rosary and you can not even find it.
If you’re purchasing a handmade Catholic rosary, pay particular attention to how the centerpiece of the rosary is attached to the rest of the decades of beads. Worst case scenario with a rosary is when it breaks at the very center of the rosary. Take care to look for quality construction in this area. How the centerpiece is attached will determine how long the rosary will last and how it will perform for you in daily prayer.
Personal devotion and aesthetic preference
Besides looking for a rosary to express your personal devotion and favorite mysteries there are also many different rosaries for honoring different saints. The rosary can incorporate the saint’s colors and imagery.
Beauty cannot overcome practicality. A beautiful rosary does not mean it is good for you. Something that you might even admire could be something that is not good for your prayer life or for your use.
Finding the right fit
When choosing a rosary to aid in our prayers we need to start with our habits, choose a rosary that supports our practice. In this sense we can choose a rosary that is natural to us, that will complement our daily routine of prayer, in the environment in which we will be praying, and that will withstand the frequency of use that we intend to give it.
Your rosary becomes perfect once it has become for you like the rosary that Maria’s grandmother had – it has become an integral part of your way of prayer, beautiful in itself and not taking your attention away from God while you are praying with it.
