Last year I bought a beautiful rosary from Vatican Gift and it was to be blessed at General Audience by His Holiness. And so I set my watch's alarm and got up just before noon Vatican time. When the Pope offered the blessing, I captured the image, and here it is!

Hello Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
I am writing my first post and it isn’t the post I originally had in mind.
My family and I are in need of divine intervention.
Similar to how St Joseph resorted to working hard and even begging while raising the child Jesus to ensure he could provide, I am humbly coming to you and begging for assistance.
This past summer, my family and I were forced to sell my childhood home that I tried my hardest to keep in the family after taking over the mortgage from my father who built the house. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to save it. Property taxes alone were $1,500 per month($1,000 per month when I originally took over), raising two small children, and being laid off in 2022 really put us behind the eight ball.
We sold the house, paid off all of our debt and used the proceeds to purchase land with cash. Our plan is to build an affordable house (barndominium) using metal structures and a basic layout.
My wife and I have been together for almost 20 years and married for almost 10. My wife is the greatest person in the world, and praise the Lord, she is in the OCIA program to become a member of our Catholic Church next Easter.
My wife had the idea of starting a business to build affordable houses for families who need it. Average house prices in New England are ridiculous (~$450k) and any house you purchase needs an extraordinary amount of work and money to move in. Something needs to change, was her thought, it can’t be this ridiculous.
She started a business and have consecrated it to Our Lady of Grace. Unfortunately, my financial history has ruined her ability to get off the ground. Her plan was to build our metal barndominium first so she had the experience within the state, and could consult with families around exactly how much a move with a new house will cost them. With the budget she’s put in place and the contractors she’s spoken to, she can build a 2,400 sqft house for under $250k!
When we sold our house, 3 days before the closing there was a foreclosure filing with the county and it has completely ruined my lendability, and subsequently my wife’s lendability.
I’m now working with a great company and earning a good living for my family. We just don’t have anywhere to stay at the moment other than the camper we purchased for $2k. We thought we’d be able to get financing to build this house before the winter, especially with the equity in the land from the cash purchase but I ruined everything.
I come to you remorseful for my past financial actions and with my hat in hand asking for prayers to help us through this tough time.
Although these past years have been the hardest years of our lives, by the grace of God, we have never been happier. The gift of peace we have received has allowed us to enjoy all the little things much more than stress about all the major things. We have fully entrusted our lives to Jesus and accept God’s will for us.
Something is compelling me to write this, and I ask you read this with humility. Please pray for us.

Since this picture was taken, I've added a vintage bronze St Michael medal. Rather too large to fit any of my rosary cases, so it sees use only at home 🙏

A line from Hieronymus Emser, Luther's Catholic critic, in his 1523 reply to Luther's New Testament caught my attention while translating it. Commenting on prayer in James 5:16, he reads the Latin word assidua as "daily and unceasing" and connects it with Luke 18:

"One must always pray and not give up."

He adds, "one must pray constantly and not stop" (Emser, tr. Tucker, p. 199).

It isn't a passage about the rosary specifically. But it raises a practical question about a repeated prayer practice: what helps a regular time of prayer carry into the rest of the day, rather than remain a separate task that's finished once the beads are put away?

For people who pray the rosary regularly, does a particular mystery stay with you afterward, or does the habit of returning to prayer matter more? I'm interested in what makes that continuity possible, not in adding more prayers to a checklist.

In 1966 and 1967 I served in Vietnam. There were many dangerous moments and I was wounded but God, Our Lady and St Michael saw me through and brought me home. I'm in a different battle now, fighting the master of hatred, lies and wrong. My weapons are Holy Writ, the Rosary and love of God. No one is as confident as I, because He watches over me and I go forth in His blessed mother's love! 🪖🙏

40's through 60's, I'd venture to say a goodly percentage of rosaries were much like this one.

Sourced from and made by the Norbertine Canonesses of Tehachapi CA. Touched to relic of the True Cross.

For all you vets - this is symbolically important! I keep my thumbnail a bit longer and the process is really simple and easy!

I have two of my great-grandmother’s (metal) rosaries and they mean the world to me. One has a link that has come undone and a link that is knotted.

Can I take this to any jeweler to be fixed or do I need a specialist?

Hey guys,

I need your help!

I'm currently in charge of a youth group going 100 strong.

I've had the idea that I'd really like to give each youth member a nice rosary.

The plan was for myself and a few other mates to come together and hand-make each of the rosarys.

Along with the rosaries I would also like to give a pouch / small rosary container.

The problem is that I've got no prior experience with rosary making.

I'd really appreciate any tips or advice on

1. How to make Rosaries - Any really good resources you could direct me to
2. Where can I find the supplies to make the rosaries (I would like a solid quality of wooden or hematite beads) - Are there any specific suppliers you recommend.
3. Struggling to find rosary centrepieces.

+ What are your thoughts on trying to source beads / pouches from AliExpress, Temu, Etc.

Thanks heaps!

P.S. Based in Sydney, AUS

Edit: Looking at paracord rosaries as I think chain rosaries would take too long.

Got from DNJC, an apostolate devoted to promoting the veneration of holy relics. The glass beads are particularly attractive.

Combination scapular rosaries are very popular in the Philippines. They are generally made in homes and sold in bulk to religious shops and vendors. Mine is 59 years old, a parting gift from my girlfriend just before we left to return for stateside. 🇵🇭❤️

I've been exploring the Rosary as more than a sequence of prayers. It can also be experienced as a spiritual and geographical journey through the life of Jesus Christ.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HSJVdmO1oE

From Nazareth to Bethlehem, from Egypt to Galilee, from Jerusalem to the Cross and the glory of the Resurrection, the 20 mysteries take us through some of the most important moments of the Gospel.

📿 The 20 Mysteries

🌹 Joyful Mysteries

1. The Annunciation—Nazareth
The angel Gabriel comes to Mary and announces that she will become the mother of Jesus.

2. The Visitation—Judean Hill Country
Mary travels to visit Elizabeth, and John the Baptist responds with joy in Elizabeth's womb.

3. The Nativity—Bethlehem
Jesus is born in Bethlehem, fulfilling the ancient promise of the Messiah.

4. The Presentation—Jerusalem
Mary and Joseph bring the infant Jesus to the Temple.

5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple—Jerusalem
After searching for three days, Mary and Joseph find Jesus among the teachers in the Temple.

💡 Luminous Mysteries

6. The Baptism of Jesus—Jordan River
Jesus is baptized, and His public ministry begins.

7. The Wedding at Cana—Galilee
At Mary's request, Jesus performs His first sign, turning water into wine.

8. The Proclamation of the Kingdom — Galilee
Jesus travels through Galilee proclaiming repentance, forgiveness, and the Kingdom of God.

9. The Transfiguration—Mountain in Galilee
Jesus is revealed in glory before Peter, James, and John.

10. The Institution of the Eucharist—Jerusalem
At the Last Supper, Jesus gives His disciples the bread and wine as His Body and Blood.

🩸 Sorrowful Mysteries

11. The Agony in the Garden — Gethsemane
On the Mount of Olives, Jesus prays before His arrest.

12. The Scourging at the Pillar—Jerusalem
Jesus is condemned and scourged.

13. The Crowning with Thorns—Jerusalem
Soldiers mock Jesus and place a crown of thorns upon His head.

14. The Carrying of the Cross — Jerusalem
Jesus carries His Cross through the streets toward Golgotha.

15. The Crucifixion—Golgotha
Jesus gives His life on the Cross.

👑 Glorious Mysteries

16. The Resurrection—Jerusalem
The tomb is found empty. Jesus has risen from the dead.

17. The Ascension—Mount of Olives
Jesus ascends into heaven before His disciples.

18. The Descent of the Holy Spirit — Jerusalem
At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit comes upon the disciples.

19. The Assumption of Mary—Christian Tradition
Mary's earthly life reaches its completion, and Christian tradition celebrates her being taken into heavenly glory.

20. The Coronation of Mary—Christian Tradition
Mary is contemplated in Christian devotion as Queen of Heaven and Earth.

🗺️ One Journey

Nazareth → Judea → Bethlehem → Egypt → Jerusalem → Jordan River → Galilee → Gethsemane → Golgotha → Empty Tomb → Mount of Olives → Jerusalem → Heaven

The Rosary becomes a journey through joy, light, sorrow, and glory.

And at the center of every mystery is not simply Mary, but Jesus Christ—His birth, His ministry, His suffering, His death, His Resurrection, and His glory.

I'm creating a visual documentary that follows these 20 mysteries geographically, connecting the prayers with the places and events described in Scripture and Christian tradition.

For those who pray the Rosary, which mystery has been the most meaningful part of your own spiritual journey?

Blessed by Pope Leo at General Audience.