Rosaries for Feb. 20/ The Feast of St. Jacinta of Fatima

 

  On May 13, 2017, Pope Francis canonized Jacinta Marto, the youngest of the three children who saw Mary, the Blessed Mother, in the Cova da Iria near Fatima, Portugal in 1917.  Her feast day is celebrated on February 20.

Jacinta was not canonized because she experienced visions of Mary.  She was canonized because of her extreme bravery in defending her faith.

 

Jacinta,  her brother, Francisco, and  their cousin, Lucia, said that they saw the Blessed Mother and that she wanted them to return to the same place on the 13th of every month.  Large crowds gathered on the field  to pray on the 13th of June and July.   The loud crowds upset the Chief Magistrate of the area, Artur Oliveira Santos,  so he developed a plan that he thought would stop the activity.

On August 13,  the Magistrate tricked the children by saying he would drive them to the site in his carriage.   Instead of taking them to the Cova da Iria, however, he drove them to the local jail and locked them in a cell with adult prisoners.    The Magistrate threatened to boil the children in oil if they did not admit that they had lied about seeing the Blessed Mother.    When some of the adult prisoners encouraged six year old Jacinta to save her life by saying what the Magistrate wanted to hear, Jacinta refused.   No matter how many ways the Magistrate tried to scare her, Jacinta stuck to her story and insisted that she had seen the Blessed Mother.

Eventually, the Magistrate allowed Jacinta and the other children to return home to their parents.  His plan to scare Jacinta into  saying that she lied about Mary had failed.

Mary did not appear to the children on August 13 because they were locked in jail on that day.   The children saw Mary on August 19 when they were outside saying a rosary.

Church authorities in Portugal approved the rosary above that honors St. Jacinta.  Part of the profits from this rosary revert to charities that honor causes that St. Jacinta supported.

This St. Jacinta rosary has pink Hail Mary beads and white Our Father beads.  The cross has images of Fatima.  The center medal has a picture of St. Jacinta.

 

The reverse of the cross says St. Jacinta pray for us in Portuguese.  The reverse of the center medal has an image of Our Lady of Fatima.

 

 

The Ghirelli Company, supplier of religious articles to the Vatican, also made a rosary to honor St. Jacinta. The Pater beads (Our Father beads) of this rosary have an image of St. Jacinta.

The reverse of the Pater beads has an image of Mary based on the description provided by Lucia, the oldest of the three children of Fatima.

The St. Jacinta Marto Rosary is a reminder that young children can be heroes of faith.

To learn more about rosaries, read The Rosary Collector’s Guide by Gloria Brady Hoffner and Helen Hoffner.   Published by Schiffer Publishing,  this hardcover, 152 page book contains over 200 color photographs of rosaries, crosses, and center medals ranging from the Boxwood Rosary owned by England’s King Henry VIII to rosaries honoring Pope Francis.  The Rosary Collector’s Guide is available at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and other book stores, religious article stores, and online vendors.

To learn more about Catholic customs, read Catholic Traditions and Treasures: An Illustrated Encyclopedia by Helen Hoffner, illustrated by Deirdre M. Folley.  Catholic Traditions and Treasures: An Illustrated Encyclopedia explains customs such as why we pray to St. Anthony when something is lost and why we bury a statue of St. Joseph to sell our houses.  Catholic Traditions and Treasures: An Illustrated Encyclopedia is published by Sophia Institute Press.  This book is available from The Catholic Company, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and other book stores and religious article shops.

 

Prepare for Lent with the Stations of the Cross Chaplet

Lent will begin on March 6, 2019.   One of the most unique rosaries used during Lent is the Stations of the Cross Chaplet.

 

The Stations of the Cross beads shown are known as a chaplet, a term used for any prayer beads that differ from the traditional five decade rosary. The Stations of the Cross Chaplet consists of fourteen groups of three beads each, with medals representing each station. The worshipper begins at the first station by saying the prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, ” We adore thee, O Christ, and praise thee”. Then the next three beads are used to say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be to the Father.  The sequence is repeated at each group of three beads, offering the opportunity to reflect upon every station.

 

To learn more about unique rosaries, chaplets, crosses, crucifixes, and center medals, read The Rosary Collector’s Guide, a 152 page hardcover reference book with over 240 color photographs published by Schiffer Books. The Rosary Collector’s Guide is available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, the Catholic Faith Store, Schiffer Publishing, and other book stores, online sellers, and religious article stores.

 

 

To learn more about customs of the Catholic Church read Catholic Traditions and Treasures: An Illustrated Encyclopedia by Dr. Helen Hoffner.  This 109 page hardback book published by Sophia Institute Press explains liturgical practices and common customs such as burying a statue of St. Joseph to sell a home, praying to St. Anthony when something is lost, and placing religious articles in an automobile.  This book is available in book stores and religious article shops.

Use the link below to purchase this book:

https://www.sophiainstitute.com/products/item/catholic-traditions-and-treasures

 

Please send questions and comments to rosarycollector@aol.com

The Wise Men and the Christmas Rosary

 The Christmas journey was taken not only by the Holy Family but also by the three Wise Men who came to honor Baby Jesus.  The Christmas rosary made by the Lumen Mundi Company shows the many who gathered on Christmas Eve.  The center medal depicts Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus surrounded by the three Wise  Men.

 

The crucifix of this rosary has glass particles to remind the prayerful of the stained glass windows found in many churches.  The stained glass gives further honor to the role of the Wise Men.

The Catholic Church traditionally celebrates the Feast of the Epiphany, the day that the Wise Men presented gifts to Baby Jesus, on January 6 although it is often remembered in many places on the first Sunday after the first Saturday in January.

Many families celebrate the Epiphany by “Chalking the Door” of their houses.  They use chalk which has been blessed by a priest to write C + M + B above the front door, the porch, or an interior part of the home.  The letters represent the first initials of the three Wise Men: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar.  Those letters also are related to the Latin phrase, “Christus mansion Benedict”, which means “May Christ bless the house”.  The crosses symbolize Christ’s cross.

To learn more about unique rosaries, read The Rosary Collector’s Guide by Gloria Brady Hoffner and Helen Hoffner.  This hardcover reference book has pictures and historical background on rosaries ranging from those owned by England’s King Henry VIII to those honoring Pope Francis.  Published by Schiffer Publishing, The Rosary Collector’s Guide is available at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and other book stores and religious article stores.

To learn more about Catholic traditions such as Chalking the House on the Feast of the Epiphany read, Catholic Traditions and Treasures: An Illustrated Encyclopedia by Helen Hoffner.  This book gives the origin of customs such as praying to St. Anthony when an item is lost, burying a statue of St. Joseph to sell a home, and placing a St. Christopher medal in a car.  Catholic Traditions and Treasures: An Illustrated Encyclopedia is available at the Catholic Company, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and other book stores, religious article stores, and online vendors.  An electronic version is available for Kindle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Divine Mercy Sunday will be celebrated in the United States on April 8, 2018.

 

On April 30, 2000, Pope John Paul II declared, “Throughout the world the Second Sunday of Easter will receive the name Divine Mercy Sunday, a perennial invitation to the Christian world to face, with confidence in divine benevolence, the difficulties and trials that mankind will experience in the years to come.”   The pope made that proclamation during the mass in which he canonized Saint Faustina. ( The Feast of Mercy, EWTN, http://www.ewtn.com).

Saint Faustina was given the name Helen Kowalska at birth and took the name Sister Maria Faustina when she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy.  It is said that Christ came to her and asked her to spread word of his mercy.  This Polish nun was instructed to have a painting made showing Christ with blood and water flowing from His sides and the words, “Jesus, I trust in you.

  Many rosaries have been created as remembrances of Divine Mercy.  The rosary shown above has a center medal showing Christ and it comes in a box that honors Saint Faustina.

Pope Francis declared a Jubilee Year of Mercy that stretched from 2015 to 2016.  The Ghirelli Company created a rosary to honor that special time.  The Ghirelli Year of Mercy Rosary has a cross that shows both Christ and Pope Francis.

The center medal of the Ghirelli Year of Mercy Rosary shows the Prodigal Son to emphasize the beauty of mercy and forgiveness.

 

The Divine Mercy Rosary shown above has beads of red and white to symbolize the blood and water flowing from Christ.  The center medal has Saint Faustina on one side and Christ on the reverse.

Catholics are encouraged to say the prayers known as the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at any time of the year.  Divine Mercy is especially remembered, however, on the Sunday following Easter.

To learn more about rosaries, center medals, crosses, and crucifixes, read The Rosary Collector’s Guide by Gloria Brady Hoffner and Helen Hoffner.  This hardcover reference book published by Schiffer Publishing contains over 200 color photographs ranging from the carved boxwood rosary owned by England’s King Henry VIII to rosaries honoring Pope Francis.  The Rosary Collector’s Guide is available at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, The Catholic Faith Store, and other book stores, religious article stores, and online sellers.

 

 

Irish Horn Rosaries

When we think of Irish rosaries, our thoughts often turn to those made of Connemara marble or those with Celtic crucifixes. The Irish Horn Rosary, however, is perhaps the most symbolic of Ireland because it represents the hard work of the people of Dublin.

In 1927, the Mitchell Rosary Factory opened in Dublin and began production of rosaries made of horn, a material derived from naturally shed antlers of deer and goats. While many celebrated the creation of new jobs, there was also a cost to the city. The horn was boiled in large vats to soften it for bead making. The smell of boiling horn was extremely strong and annoyed many residents. Young girls working in the factory covered their hair with nets in the hopes of keeping the smell from clinging. There were many objections to the smell and the Mitchell Rosary Factory stopped making horn rosaries circa 1960.

In his memoir, It’s a Long Way from Penny Apples, Bill Cullen discussed his family’s work with the Mitchell Rosary Factory. In addition to the many full-time factory workers, others who lived in Dublin picked up supplies and then strung beads at home. They were paid by the decade.

Irish horn rosaries usually have a heart-shaped center and a horn crucifix with a white corpus.

To learn more about antique and unusual rosaries, read our new book, The Rosary Collector’s Guide, available at Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, the Catholic Faith Store, and other booksellers.

Snowy Day Rosary

 

A winter snowstorm has hit many parts of the United States.  Have you ever experienced a summer snowstorm?

According to legend, a summer snowstorm occurred in Italy in 352 A.D.    On the night of August 4,  a wealthy couple prayed to Mary, Our Lady, because they wanted a child to make them a family.   That night, Mary appeared to them in a dream and instructed them to build a church in her honor on the Esquiline Hill.  Mary said that the site for the new church would soon be outlined in snow.   On the same night, Mary also appeared to Pope Liberius and announced the coming of a miraculous summer snowfall.  When residents awoke on August 5, they found the Esquiline Hill covered in snow.  The outline of a church could be seen in the snow.  Less than two years later, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major was built on that site.   In honor of that summer snowfall,  Mary is sometimes referred to as Our Lady of the Snows.

 

The rosary shown here has clear blue beads and a center medal honoring Our Lady of the Snows.    In place of Pater Beads, it has medals honoring additional titles for Mary including Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Our Lady of Lourdes. and Our Lady of Perpetual Help.   Rosary makers have created many rosaries to commemorate the miraculous summer snowfall.  Some have bubble beads with images of Mary while others have unique pater beads.

 

To learn more about antique and unique rosaries, read The Rosary Collector’s Guide by Gloria Brady Hoffner and Helen Hoffner.  Published by Schiffer Publishing,  The Rosary Collector’s Guide has over 200 color photographs of rosaries including those owned by England’s King Henry VIII, military rosaries of World Wars I and II, and rosaries honoring the events of September 11.   The Rosary Collector’s Guide is available in the Catholic Faith Store, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and other religious article stores, book stores, and online sites.

A Rosary for Christmas

 

 Our grandparents usually owned a single rosary which they cherished throughout their lives.  In recent years, rosaries have been created to celebrate special occasions and holidays such as Christmas.

The Christmas Rosary shown above has Ave beads (Hail Mary beads) of red and Pater beads (Our Father beads) of green.

The crucifix of the Christmas Rosary has a poinsettia background.

The center medal shows the Madonna and Child.

The Ghirelli Company, founded in 1987, has designed rosaries for the Vatican.  Their Christmas Rosary, made in 2002, has a unique Star of David Crucifix.

The Center Medal of the Ghirelli Christmas Rosary shows a manger scene.

A Christmas Rosary can become a family heirloom of the season.

To learn more about unique rosaries, read The Rosary Collector’s Guideby Gloria Brady Hoffner and Helen Hoffner.  This 152 page hardcover book has 240 color photographs of rosaries, crosses, crucifixes, and center medals.

Why do Catholics pray to St. Anthony to find lost treasures?  Why should you carry a St. Christopher medal in your car?  Why bury a statue of St. Joseph to sell a home faster?  Find the reasons and origins for these traditions in Catholic Traditions & Treasures: An Illustrated Encyclopedia.  This book shows that these traditions are not superstitions but practices that the saints followed.   Catholic Traditions & Treasures: An Illustrated Encyclopedia is available in the EWTN Religious Catalogue. https://www.ewtn.com/everywhere/?utm_source=ccc&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=everywhere

https://www.ewtn.com/everywhere/?utm_source=ccc&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=everywhere

Fr. Patrick Peyton: The Rosary Priest

 On December 19, 2017, Pope Francis issued a decree confirming that the late Father Patrick Peyton lived a life of heroic Christian virtue.  The decree moves this American priest one step closer to being declared a saint.

Father Peyton has been called the Rosary Priest because he encouraged families to pray the rosary together.  His motto was, “The family that prays together, stays together”.   In 1942, he wrote to every bishop in the United States to ask them to promote the family rosary.  He also recruited Hollywood stars such as Bing Crosby and Lucille Ball to motivate everyone to pray.

Father Patrick Peyton died in 1992.  His life was spent in service to the Catholic Church with special dedication to the rosary.

To learn more about the rosary, read The Rosary Collector’s Guide, by Gloria Brady Hoffner and Helen Hoffner.  This 152 page hardcover book published by Schiffer Publishing has over 200 color photographs and information on rosaries ranging from the Boxwood rosary owned by England’s King Henry VIII to rosaries honoring Pope Francis.  The Rosary Collector’s Guide is available in Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and other book stores, religious article stores, and online venues.

 

 

 

 

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Rosary of Our Lady of Guadalupe/ Roses in the Winter

Many rosaries commemorate the vision known as Our Lady of Guadalupe. According to legend, on a winter day in 1531, Juan Diego, a member of the Aztec tribe who had recently converted to Catholicism, was walking in the hills of the Tepeyac Desert near Mexico City. He had a vision of a lady who asked him to tell the local bishop to build a church on that site. Juan made the request to Bishop Juan deZumarrage but the bishop wanted proof of the vision.

Juan went back to the scene of the vision and once again saw the lady. When Juan asked the lady to give some proof of her appearance, she told him to climb to the top of the hill and pick some flowers for the bishop. Although it was winter, Juan found Castillian roses growing on the desert hill. Castillian roses never grew in that area. Juan scooped the flowers into his cloak and went to find the bishop. When he arrived at the bishop’s home, the flowers fell from his cloak and formed the image of the lady. That cloak is now displayed in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Juan Diego Cuahtlatoatzin was made a saint in 2002.  The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated every year on December 12.

The rosary shown has a Stanhope Cross. The term Stanhope is given to crosses and crucifixes which have a peephole. The peephole has a small lens with a magnifying glass through which images of holy places or saints can be seen. This cross has an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe hidden inside.

The pendant of this rosary ( the first Our Father bead, three Hail Mary beads, and second Our Father bead) spell the name Maria (Mary).

The center medal has an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The reverse of the center medal shows the roses found by Juan Diego.

The Our Father beads have images of the vision of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Many materials have been used to create rosaries honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe. The rosary shown above was made in Italy and has beads of Murano Glass.

The center medal of the Murano Glass rosary has an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The reverse of the center medal shows Juan Diego with Our Lady.

http://www.amazon.com/Rosary-Collectors-Guide-Gloria-Hoffner/dp/0764345354

To learn more about unusual rosaries, crosses, crucifixes, and center medals, read The Rosary Collector’s Guide by Gloria Brady Hoffner and Helen Hoffner, This 152 page hardcover reference book has 240 color photographs and helps historians, antique dealers, and rosary collectors identify unique religious articles. The Rosary Collector’s Guide is available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com, the Catholic Faith Store Online, and other book stores, religious article stores, and online suppliers.

Helen Hoffner and Gloria Brady Hoffner, authors of The Rosary Collector’s Guide, are often able to bring their rosary collection to show to church groups, school groups, and community organizations. If you would like to arrange a presentation in New Jersey, Delaware, New York, or Pennsylvania or if you have a question about rosaries, contact the authors at rosarycollector@aol.com

Rosaries of the United States : A July 4 Celebration

Independence Day, July 4, is a time when Americans can show their love for their country with their rosaries.

 

 

Metal rosaries were given to soldiers during World Wars I and II.  They were often called pullchain rosaries because they resembled the pullchains used on plumbing and lighting fixtures.  Some soldiers blued (darkened) their rosaries so that they would not shine and reveal their location to enemies.

At times, soldiers received beltbags that contained rosaries and prayerbooks.

 

   Soldiers have carried rosary rings onto the battlefield because they could easily be slipped into a pocket.

 

     

St. Kateri Tekakwitha was the first Native American to be named a saint.  Rosaries honoring St. Kateri are made in many colors to show her love for the environment.

Rosaries have been created in remembrance of one of the most tragic days in American history, September 11, 2001.  The 9-11 rosary, created by the Ghirelli Company, has beads that honor all of the 50 states.

        

 

The center medal of the 9-11 rosary shows Christ at the Twin Towers.

          

The crucifix of the 9-11 rosary replicates steel found at the site of the World Trade Center.

 

 

When Pope Francis visited the United States in 2015, he joined in the red, white, and blue spirit with commemorative rosaries.

Pope Francis knew that Americans could celebrate their country with their rosaries.

 

To learn more about rosaries, read The Rosary Collector’s Guide by Gloria Brady Hoffner and Helen Hoffner.

The Rosary Collector’s Guide is available at Barnes and Noble, the Catholic Faith Store, Amazon, and other book stores, religious article stores, and online vendors.  This 152 page, hardcover reference book published by Schiffer Publishing has over 200 color photographs of rosaries ranging from the Boxwood rosary of England’s King Henry VIII to those honoring Pope Francis.