The rosary, in the Catholic Church, is a series of prayers to Mary, mother of Jesus, who commemorates the life of the latter. Reciting the rosary uses a beaded necklace (crown) to keep track of each prayer. Read on to find out how to make your own rosary crown.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Initial Phase
Step 1. Collect everything you need
A crown is made up of a crucifix, 53 beads of the same color that represent the prayers of the Hail Mary and 6 beads of another color that represent the prayers of the Our Father. The crucifix and beads are strung on a sturdy cord following a precise pattern.
- Religious supply stores sell small crucifixes suitable for making crowns. They also usually sell beads to represent the Hail Marys and Our Fathers.
- Waxed nylon thread is commonly used to make rosaries. Make sure you take a thread that goes through the hole in the beads of your choice. You should be able to slip them on easily without being too loose. You will need about one meter of thread.
Step 2. Arrange the beads
The rosary is divided into five "decades", sections that contain ten beads, and a smaller section that contains three more beads. Divide the Ave Maria beads into five groups of ten and then make a group of three beads. Place the Our Father beads in a separate group.
Step 3. Prepare the thread
Use a ruler and a marker to mark a point 15 cm from the end on the wire. Tie a knot over the spot to start building the crown. The knot should be large enough that the beads won't slip off.
Method 2 of 3: Thread the Rosary
Step 1. Thread 10 Hail Mary beads from the longest end of the thread
Make sure they slide up to the knot and are locked into it. Tie another knot at the end of the 10 beads.
- Leave some space so that the beads can slide, but not too much. When the person uses the crown to recite the rosary he must be able to move the bead a little as soon as a prayer is finished.
- If you need help tying a knot in a certain point, use this trick: tie a soft knot over the chosen point. Insert a toothpick into the knot and tighten it with the help of the toothpick to position it in the right place. Finally remove the toothpick.
Step 2. Insert an Our Father bead immediately after the second knot
It should be of a different color than the 10 Ave Maria beads. Tie a knot again right after this bead.
Step 3. Continue like this for the other 4 decades
After tying the knot immediately after the Our Father bead, add another 10 Hail Mary beads. Tie a knot. Put on the Our Father bead and tie a knot again. Continue until you have threaded all five decades with the exception of the last bead for the Our Father. Finish with a knot after the last 10 beads.
Method 3 of 3: Finish the Rosary
Step 1. Tie the ends together
Form a beaded necklace by joining the end with the first knot to the end with the last knot. You now have a circle with five decades and two strands hanging free.
- If the hole in your beads is large enough for both tails to pass through, you can leave them intact.
- If your beads, on the other hand, are too small, cut the shorter one with a pair of scissors. Use a little clear nail polish or glue to fix the last knot before continuing.
Step 2. Thread the last bead of the Our Father
Tie a knot immediately after.
Step 3. Thread the last three beads of the Ave Maria and tie another knot to secure them
Step 4. Add the crucifix
Secure it to the crown with a tight double knot after putting it on. Again use some nail polish or glue to seal the knots. Trim the excess thread.
Step 5. Have the rosary blessed
Before using it to say prayers, the crown is usually blessed by a priest; ask your pastor to do it and then pray or give the crown.
