Making Rosaries

Page 52 in "Marian Devotions in the Domestic Church"

Catherine Fournier and Peter Fournier

The Rosary is perhaps the most popular of all Catholic devotions. It is a beautiful expression of faith, an effective practice, and a discipline of prayer. Our Blessed Mother told the three children of Fatima, Portugal, in 1917 that, among other things, the peace of the world and the salvation of souls depended upon praying the Rosary. "Otherwise," she said, "the evils of Russia will surround the world." 

While it is possible to pray the Rosary on your fingers, a well made, attractive rosary is a definite improvement. A well-made rosary is one that slides through your fingers smoothly and easily, has easily distinguished spaces between the Hail Mary beads and the Our Father beads, is sturdy enough to carry in a pocket or hang from a hook, and heavy enough to feel while still light enough to carry easily. A well-made rosary can be made of beads on wire, of beads on cord, or of knotted cord. 

The first time I attempted to make a bead and wire rosary, it took me about an hour to learn the techniques and then about ten hours to complete the rosary. With practice, the time has decreased to about five hours to complete one. You can make a beautiful rosary in a few evenings or afternoons. 

A rosary you've made yourself makes a wonderful gift. Once you've mastered making loops and bows, you can make matching rosaries as wedding presents—an inexpensive, easily mailed gift for a Catholic couple—and for First Communion and Confirmation gifts. 

In addition to making rosaries, learning the techniques will help you repair old rosaries. These beautiful treasures of our mother's and grandmother's day should not be forgotten in an old jewelry box or discarded. They should be rescued, restored, and handed down to our children and grandchildren. 

Some people make rosaries for missions and missionaries. This is a great gift of time, effort, and prayer. A person will treasure a beautiful hand-made rosary received from a friend or a loved one. We all treasure a rosary we make ourselves. In no small way, these rosaries can bring us closer to the loving arms of Mary. So, why not try making one yourself? 

Cord rosaries (consisting of "beads" made from special knots, or beads strung on cord and separated by knots) are also enjoyable to make. They are a lot faster and less expensive to make than wire rosaries: one or two could easily be made in an afternoon. Large "family" rosaries are usually made this way. 

Children can quickly master the skills for making cord rosaries. In many ways, the small, nimble fingers of children are better suited to this craft than those of an adult. The skill is especially suited to girls, who tend to be better at concentrating on such things. 

Beads, wire, and special jewelry- or rosary-pliers can be purchased at a craft or bead store, and crucifixes and other supplies can be purchased from rosary-supply companies. Here are a few companies that offer catalogues and free instruction booklets: 

Lewis and Company
391 Third Avenue
P.O. Box 268
Troy, New York 12181

Phone: 518-235-1700
Fax: 518-235-0786
URL: http:/ /www.rosaryparts.com

Our Lady's Rosary Makers
4611 Poplar Level Road
P.O. Box 37080
Louisville, Kentucky 40233

Phone: 502-968-1434
Fax: 502-969-8883

The Rosary Shop
2278 N. W. Mahala Way
McMinnville, Oregon 97128

Phone: 503-472-4727
Fax: 503-472-7937
URL: http:/ /www.rosaryshop.com

My own directions for wire and cord rosaries follow. Borrowing from the directions provided by the listed rosary companies, I have developed a few shortcuts and hints. The directions may seem complicated when you are reading them; but once you get started, the making of both kinds of rosaries is quite simple and straightforward. 

The best hint of all is to practice making a few bead loops or knots before you start making a whole rosary.