What is a pocket rosary?

A pocket rosary is a single decade rosary, convenient to carry around in your pocket. They are often constructed with ten Hail Mary beads, one Our Father bead, and either a centerpiece or a medal. My favorite is to have a string of prayer beads, with a crucifix on one end and a holy medal on the other.

I make pocket rosaries from smooth polished gemstones, because I love the feel of them in my hand. They fit in your purse or pocket, and they don't tangle. They are easy to use while walking (my favorite time), while driving, or while waiting.

Pocket rosaries were traditionally used by men, and sometimes called "tenners". The construction is similar to the Irish penal rosary, which was invented at a time it was illegal to even possess a rosary.

What is a rosary bracelet?

A rosary bracelet is a single decade rosary designed to be worn on the wrist. It is made from 10 Ave (Hail Mary) beads and one Pater (Our Father) bead, with a cross or crucifix and often a miraculous or saint medal. Some include an entire 5 decade rosary, usually on a coil of memory wire.

I like the idea of a rosary bracelet. You can have it with you at all times, and it encourages spontaneous prayer. And like other religious jewelry, it can make a "statement". Even though the basic design elements of the rosary bracelet are pre-determined, the variations are endless. You can use crystal, glass, gemstones, pearls...

Welcome to Beads of Heaven

Today is a great day. Today we've launched beadsofheaven.net, a website to share the rosaries and rosary bracelets I've been making for a few years now. For now, Beads of Heaven is small, but the idea is big... to transform lives through the mercy of Jesus Christ... and to grow closer to him by meditating on the mysteries of the rosary.

"One Hail Mary said with a loving heart has the power to stop wars, bring nature into harmony with God's plan, convert an unbeliever, save a vocation, deliver a soul from purgatory, and change the future forever. Think, then, of the power of a whole rosary said with love." (Jesus to the visionary Maureen Sweeney-Kyle 9/18/1999)