Rosaries / Paternosters

[Sir William]

Wait, so one bead equates to the entire Lord's prayer?  How many times are you supposed to recite it?  That could mean a pretty long session of personal prayer.

Or does this have something to do with the penance portion where you're told to recite X number of Our Fathers and/or X number of Hail Marys?

Also, what constitutes the Middle Ages and when did crosses begin to show up on rosaries?

[Lord Dane]

Early monastic orders such as the Franciscans had crucifixes on rosaries since the late 13th century. Simple wooden crosses were more common amongst friars or monks as opposed 2 higher clerical officials like bishops or cardinals. I'd have 2 do more research on it. As far as rosary beads go, it depends on the user and purpose. I use mine as a prayer counter, one bead is one prayer so yes it could be used in that way for pennance. It is used for prayers regardless of reason or denomination.

[Sir James A]

From Historic Enterprises:

Longer evening hours means I had plenty of time to work on the new Paternoster collection.  As you may recall from previous newsletters, I've taken up paternoster making as something of a hobby. Researching the history and looking for examples in museums and period artwork is right up my alley, and making the paternosters themselves is a bit like making jewelry. I enjoy braiding the cords and selecting the beads, and love that the end result is something that was an iconic and ubiquitous accessory of the medieval period.  As with everything else we offer, my paternosters (and I use the term collectively, as I'm producing chaplets and rosaries as well) are more average and everyday than super fancy. My goal is to make them historically accurate in form and materials so they blend seamlessly into a period outfit. I hope you'll enjoy using and giving them as much as I enjoy making them!

[Sir William]

Well, some must be praying rather swiftly because I've seen some manipulate their beads in what looks like every two or three seconds.  I can't get the Lord's prayer out that fast- I tried, it takes me at least 15 seconds to get thru it all in my head.

[Jessica Finley]

http://www.newadvent.org/images/rosary.pdf

This seems relevant.

Jess

[Sir William]

Jess, thank you.  This is exactly what I wanted/needed.

[Lord Dane]

Yes, thank you Jessica. I did not look that deeply into the rosary as far the sequence of ritualistic prayers. That link was very useful.

[SirNathanQ]

That's how I pray my rosary. My family used to do it every night, but busy schedules dictate that most of my paternosters are said on my own time.