The Use of Beads in Prayers
Throughout history, Christian and non-Christian religions alike have used different forms of prayer counters with which to repeat shorter invocations many times each day. Christians of both Western and Eastern Rite traditions have a long acquaintance with such counters, prayer beads or rosary beads.

At the outset, it is important to note that the early Christians used various means of counting prayers. St. Paul of Thebes, for example, used to have a bag with three hundred pebbles and placed one pebble for each of the prayers he said into another, empty bag. This was also how the sister of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare, prayed.

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Rosary - from the latin 'rosarium' meaning Rose Garden. A Rosary is a system in which a set number of prayers are recited. A string of beads is usually used to keep count.The string of beads is what is known as a Chaplet ... but it is often referred to as a Rosary. The practice was started by the Eastern Christian Monks in the Third Century. The Roman Catholic Rosary is associated with St. Dominic in the 13th Centruy. In the Western church, the rosary commonly consists of 5 (originally 15) decades, or sets of 10 beads, for the recitation of the Hail Mary (Ave Maria), separated by a single bead for the recitation of the Our Father (Paternoster, or Lord's Prayer). The Glory Be to the Father ( Gloria Patri) is generally said after each decade. During the recitation of the prayers, meditation on a series of biblical themes, called the joyous, sorrowful, and glorious mysteries, is recommended. A feast of the Rosary is kept on October 7, the anniversary of the Christian victory over the Muslim Turks at Lepanto (1571).

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Make Your Own Rosary - (5 Decade)

• 53 - 8mm (faceted or smooth) - These are Called (AVE'S)
• 6 or 10 or 12mm (faceted or smooth) - can also be shaped (roses, etc.) - These are Called (PATERS)
• 3 point connector - Or you could just use a large bead as your center piece.
• Pendant - Cross, Crucifix, anything that appeals to you.
• String - I'm not sure what length ... so make it really long

1. Start by attaching the string to one of the top loops on the 3 point connector.
2. String 10 of the 8mm rosary beads on - If you'd like, you can tie a knot between each bead on your rosary.
3. After the 10 beads are on, tie a knot in the string, then add one of the larger beads, tie another knot, and string on 10 more beads. Then a large bead, then 10 beads, Large bead, 10 beads.
4. You have now used 50 of the 8mm beads, and 4 of the larger beads.
5. Tie the loose end of the string to the second top loop on the 3 point connector.
6. Cut off any extra string.
7. Tie a piece of string to the bottom loop on the 3 point connector.
8. Add one large bead, the remaining 3 smaller beads, and then the final large bead.
9. Tie the end into a knot.
10. Tie this end onto your pendant, and cut off any extra string.

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Links :
Making a Rosary
Our Lady's Rosary Makers
Rosary Center
The New Advent
History of Prayer Beads © IBRAG

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Use of Beads at Prayers Medical articles about the health benefits of prayer beads in general, specifically rosaries. In addition, on my Chaplets page, you will see a variety of chaplets, complete with provenance and prayers, a great resource for those who would like to make them. It is by no means a comprehensive list (there are hundreds) but these are certainly among the most popular. There is more than one "rosary" --- the Dominican with 5 decades (considered THE rosary), the Franciscan with 7 decades, and the Servite (Sorrows) with 7 septets (or septades --- what IS the proper term, anyway?); I have examples of these. The word rosary comes from the German "rosenkranz" which meanss crown (or garland) of roses.

Although St Dominic's role in the history of the rosary is somewhat different than the legend, it was significant, as is described on this page, which is part of the prayers library which I am developing as a resource for rosary-makers, and anyone else who might be interested: St. Dominic and the Rosary