Comments on: The Multi-Cultural History of Prayer Beads

By: Deb Eklof

Deb Eklof — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 05:33:32 +0000

I love your rosary article! There are dozens of excellent books about the rosary laying around. Good one by Pope John Paul II, with great illustrations, too. I must have six or more. Takes time, but with regular use, especially the meditations, become a part of your life!

By: 8 kids and a business

8 kids and a business — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 20:52:38 +0000

Thanks. This is really interesting. The first time I saw a Muslim using prayer beads, I was confused. I knew the family was Muslim but the wife was using prayer beads to pray for her husband who was sick. From where I was standing, it looked just like a wooden rosary. After that, I realized that Catholics are not the only people who use prayer beads of some sort.

By: ...

... — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 20:39:03 +0000

Tank you!

By: rometome

rometome — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 20:27:59 +0000

I meant Thank you, not tank.

By: rometome

rometome — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 20:27:38 +0000

Tank you for writing an informative piece. Great work!

By: ...

... — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 15:10:13 +0000

I found this article which explains in more detail the use of the knotted ropes/rosary in monastaries : http://www.chotkis.com/history.htm

thanks for letting me know about this- I will add this info to the post

By: rometome

rometome — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:31:26 +0000

@ServusFidelis I read the same information. Knowledge of the Psalms was expected so as to participate. The knotted cords were also used to say The Jesus Prayer up to 500 times.

By: ...

... — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 05:27:12 +0000

From what I read the early history of the catholic rosary is sketchy at best. If you run across information I can add to this please let me know. What you heard might be true! there is def. room for more info.

By: servusfidelis

servusfidelis — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 04:59:50 +0000

I’m surprised by some of the history. I had heard that the knotted cords were used in monasteries to help the monks say or sing the 150 psalms (50 beads or knots 3 times a day). I also had heard that in order to be admitted as a religious to these monasteries that it was mandatory that the entering member be tested to see if they knew all of the psalms since psalmody (the singing of psalms) was part of their daily life: the beginning of the present day breviary. Maybe that was just folklore but it was what I had heard previously.