The Original Story
I'm the Franciscan type so I lean toward the San Damiano crucifix. I like it because it tells a story while still being a crucifix. It's center is Christ crucified, but surrounding Him is the story of the Cross and our salvation. It's an expanded meditation tool. So, the choice of what kind of crucifix to use to anchor this home-made rosary was no problem. There you have it. St. Francis, pray for us, and may God speak to our hearts as he did to yours, to do the work of "repairing His Church."

The rosary is a tool for meditation. It is not, really, not something one used to worship Mary. Can we stop thinking like that please? OK, good. Certainly we are asking her to intercede for us, or someone, or some particular thing, when we are praying the rosary. Underneath it we are meditating on the Center of all things, Jesus. The goal is to be drawn closer into His Heart. So, I think of it that way, as a meditation tool - something to keep with you when you might have time to turn your mind to God during the day. I have grown to like the idea of a small rosary, what are called "one-decade rosaries." The traditional rosary most people have has 5 decades (sets of 10 beads) with the one bead in between each decade, you've seen them I assume. That's fine if you have time to pray all 10 decades, but just walking around during the day, or at work, or whatever, I think that's generally not the case for most of us. There have been one-decade rosaries around for a long time. I'm just saying I like that concept - something to have in your pocket for anytime and anywhere. So, there you go, you see my one-decade rosary. It has lately become one of those things I stick in my pocket as I get dressed for the day - change, wallet, rosary, etc.

Now, you see that loop at the end? That's not a normal part of most rosaries. That's extra equipment added by the Irish during what they call their "penal times." You know me and Ireland, right? OK, this penal rosary idea came about during the great time of Catholic persecution in Ireland under English rule, after England had become a politically "protestant" nation. One of the ways they tried to control the Irish was to outlaw the practice of their faith - nice. Anyway, some clever Irish person invented a small pocket-sized rosary with a finger ring at the end so you could keep it in the palm of your hand and not be seen with it. This is something I've incorporated into my design there as you see - not a metal ring but a tied loop. I can put my index finger through there and keep hold of it as I pray. Handy.

To set things off I added a Celtic knot design silver "Our Father bead" - you just learned what to pray on that bead. One at the beginning and one at the end to cap it off. I chose an overall "natural" look to the thing (again with the Franciscan thing) - note the wooden beads too. To me it's simple, monastic, not too fancy - symbolic of several meaningful things.

I have found this tool a very good thing for me in the last month or so. I have the opportunity at work during the day, to step outside, if I like, and take a little 5 minute walk around a yard next the parking lot. It has large trees and grass. Walking around this rectangle yard is perfect timing for praying and meditating through this small rosary. Could be anywhere I guess - taking a walk in the evening, mowing the yard, in the car, wherever.

OK that's that. I just thought it might be interesting to share about something like this that I've found helpful for focusing my head during the day. Peace to you.