In one of our adult studies, a comment was made about different types of rosaries. The comment brought to mind, for me, several different topics. First of all, I thought about the time when Pope St. John Paul II developed a new set of Mysteries. I also thought about my “go to” rosary for prayer, “The Servite Rosary.” Then I thought about the many other forms of the rosary. This article will expand upon each of these concepts.
To begin, Pope St. John Paul II’s introduction of the “Luminous Mysteries” in 2002 was a new idea for many Catholics. I had a number of people, at the time, who asked me if they needed a new set of rosary beads since the pope had made the “change.” I assured them that they didn’t. The pope had proposed the Luminous Mysteries to “highlight the Christological character of the rosary.” These mysteries refer to “Christ’s public ministry between his Baptism and his Passion,” the Holy Father explained in his apostolic letter, Rosarium Virginis Mariae. It was a listing of mysteries that an individual could focus upon that the pope was giving, not an upheaval of the rosary itself. This list of mysteries would be added to the existing collection of mystery lists that were already being used by many pray-ers of the most common five decade rosary. The existing mysteries included the “Glorious Mysteries,” the “Sorrowful Mysteries,” and the “Joyful Mysteries,” so, now, individuals would have four different sets of events from Christ’s life to choose from while praying. I don’t think it is a stretch to say that the five decade rosary is the most prayed rosary of any, and the one that comes to mind when thinking about this prayer form. It isn’t, however, the only type of rosary.
Another somewhat popular rosary is the “Servite Rosary,” which is sometimes called the “Servite Chaplet.” I feel the term “rosary’ is a better fit, since a “chaplet” is often prayers said while using a set of beads that are quite different from the most common arrangement of five sets of ten beads (with a few others near the cross, or placed between each set). The Servite Rosary is prayed using beads that are arranged with seven groups of seven beads (with others added, as just mentioned). If you choose to pray this type of rosary, as I often do, you would need this special arrangement of beads. In this prayer form, the “mysteries” of the other rosary are now called “weeks.” Each week focuses on the Seven Sorrows of Mary. These are the times that Mary’s “heart was pierced” in her role of being the mother of Jesus. Events like losing Jesus in the Temple, or seeing Jesus carrying the cross, are among this list of seven times that must have been so very difficult for her. As a mother myself, I connect with the emotions that she must have experienced, even though mine are a mere shadow of her experience. Praying the Servite Rosary has made me feel much more connected to her as my mother, and role model for all mothers.
As I mentioned, these two ways to pray a “rosary” are not the only ones! The “Franciscan Crown” is a rosary of seven decades, so seven sets of ten. It focuses on the “Seven Joys” of Mary. Another rosary that is often called, simply, the “Franciscan Rosary” is a fifteen decade rosary that includes all fifteen mysteries that were in place prior to 2002. There are dozens, and dozens of other types of chaplets where the prayers said can differ. There are, also, tons of varieties of bead arrangements to make praying more convenient. Whether bracelets, rings, or any other form, these sacramentals (the term for objects that help us in prayer) are all great ways to include prayer in your life. Like Nike says, “Just do it!”
