Catholic Rosary

“To recite the rosary is nothing other than to contemplate the face of Christ with Mary.” - Pope John Paul II

Praying the rosary well is more important than knowing its history, yet knowing the origins of the prayer can teach us much about it.

The beginnings of the rosary are found in the early Christian practice of reciting the 150 psalms from the bible, either daily or weekly, as a way of prayer. Those unable to recite the psalms began to recite 150 prayers, mainly the Our Father, 150 times, often using beads to count the prayers. By medieval times the custom of saying “Paternoster” beads (the Latin for Our Father) was common in many countries in Europe. While saying the prayers it was customary to meditate on the mysteries of the life of Jesus, from his resurrection.

The rosary in its present form arose in late medieval Christianity when Mary, the Mother of Jesus, was seen as a guide to the mysteries of her Son. A decade of prayers called the Hail Mary was preceded by the Our Father. Meditation on the mysteries of Christ remained at the heart of the prayer.

Through the centuries, saints like Saint Dominic, many of the popes, as well as countless ordinary Christians have found the rosary to be a school of prayer and a source of spiritual blessing. It is both simple and profound. Not beyond anyone’s reach, it’s repeated words bring peace to the soul. And the mysteries of Jesus that it recalls are also meant to be repeated on our own. We ask to “imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through Christ our Lord.”

Little Flower offers a variety of beautifully crafted rosaries including birthstone rosaries, crystal rosaries, precious metal rosaries, auto rosaries, and rosary bracelets. These rosaries range in price, color, design, and style to meet the needs of all those who pray the rosary. Shop our complete selection of catholic rosaries.