I Pray The Rosary

These are some rosaries that I've made or repaired over the years. When I make a rosary, I choose the bead colors, shapes, and materials; I also choose a unique crucifix and a centerpiece specfically for the person and occasion. Sometimes I'll make a rosary at someone else's request, and they'll choose the parts. No matter who picked the parts, there are no other rosaries like these in the world. I also enjoy repairing rosaries, especially those that belonged to someone special.

I get most of my parts from Lewis & Company in New York.

- Scott

11. Carly

May 5, 2018 — My sister-in-law, Carly, asked me to make this rosary for her. She picked out the parts. The Hail Mary beads are made of mahogany wood (8mm). The Our Father beads are hand-crafted from rose petals. The centerpice features St. Patrick, with the inscription on the back, "St. Patrick pray for us." The crucifix features four hearts. I just love these colors; they remind me of an old church, perhaps pre-Vatican II, with ornate features and wooden pews. The crucifix, centerpiece, and chain are all sterling silver.

10. Mallory

May 5, 2018 — My sister-in-law, Carly, asked me to make this rosary for my niece, Mallory (her daughter with my brother Sean) for her First Holy Communion on May 12. The Hail Mary beads are Swarovski pearl (8mm). I've used these beads before, they're great to work with and that have a neat shine to them. The Our Father beads are hand-crafted from rose petals. This is the first time I've worked with rose petal beads. They're a little different to work with, and they leave the rosary with a very unique and traditional look. The centerpiece features a young person with a guardian angel and the inscription "My Guardian Angel Protect Me". This is great for a child; it reminds me of bedtime prayers. The crucifix features four hearts. The crucifix, centerpiece, and chain are all sterling silver.

9. Dave

May 21, 2017 — I recently re-connected with my best friend from from 4th grade (back when we lived in Pittsburgh). We hadn't spoken in 43 years, yet Dave entrusted me with the task of repairing his grandmother's rosary. What an honor! This is made with 5mm beads, but it only had 51. So I added 8 new beads (Dave had already found a good match), and I also replaced the entire chain with a new one made of sterling silver. The completed rosary was blessed by Fr. Tim Shillcox, O.Praem, our pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes.

8. Deacon Bernie

May 14, 2016 — I made this rosary for my friend Bernie Terrien on the occasion of his diaconate ordination in the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay. We've been riding together in the Rosary Run motorcycle ride since 2011. This is made with 8mm round, glass, fire-polished, faceted, beads. The Hail Mary beads are garnet and the Our Father beads are jet black. The overall color scheme matches Bernie's motorcycle.

7. Barb

June 30, 2013 — A coworker of mine asked me to make this custom rosary for her husband's birthday. The Hail Mary beads are fire polished jet black, while the Our Father beads are fire polished crystal. This makes for a nice contrast on a masculine rosary. The sterling silver crucifix is engraved on the back with her husband's nickname and birthdate. The centerpiece reads, "My Guardian Angel Protect Me".

6. Cooper

April 27, 2013 — I made this rosary for my nephew and Godchild, Cooper, for his First Communion. It was blessed by Pope Francis on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 during my visit to the Vatican. The crucifix along with all beads are made of wood (seems like a neat material for a boy). The metal frame of the crucifix is engraved with Cooper's name and the date. The centerpiece is a chalice.

5. Sam

February 27, 2011 — This is the rosary that I made for Sam for her Confirmation. I had been Sam's catechist for her last 2 years of religious education, and I was quite honored to be her Confirmation sponsor. The centerpiece says "Holy Spirit Guide Us." The bead colors have no particular significance, except that I like them. This is my 5th rosary.

4. Mom

November 7, 2010 — This is the rosary that I made for my Mom, Meredith, for my birthday (yeah, my birthday). I've always felt a certain level of appreciation for my Mother on my birthday. The centerpiece says "Saint Agatha Pray for Us." Saint Agatha is the patron saint of nurses and breast cancer patients. I also hung a pink breast cancer awareness ribbon from the center piece. The 53 Hail Mary beads are rose colored Swarovski beads from Austria. Mom's birthstone is the diamond, so I used crystal glass beads (which look similar to diamonds) for the 6 Our Father beads.

3. Casey

May 21, 2010 — This my third rosary, which I made for my daughter Casey for her 20th birthday. I used emerald (her birthstone) for the Hail Mary beads and alexandrite for the Our Father beads. The crucifix has her name and date engraved on the back, and the centerpiece is a depiction of Bernadette with Mary at Lourdes, with the inscription, "Our Lady of Lourdes Pray for Us". Both the centerpiece and crucifix are sterling silver.

2. Randy

March 30, 2010 — This my second rosary, which I made for my daughter Randy for her 16th birthday. I used aqua (her birthstone) for the Hail Mary beads and alexandrite for the Our Father beads. The crucifix has her name and date engraved on the back, and the centerpiece is a depiction of Bernadette with Mary at Lourdes, with the inscription, "Our Lady of Lourdes Pray for Us". Both the centerpiece and crucifix are sterling silver.

1. Carly

June 7, 2009 — This is the first rosary I made. I made it for my daughter Carly for her graduation from West De Pere High School. I used pearl (her birthstone) for the Hail Mary beads, and burgundy for the Our Father beads. The crucifix has her name engraved on the back, and the centerpiece is a depiction of Bernadette with Mary at Lourdes, with the inscription, "Our Lady of Lourdes Pray for Us". Both the centerpiece and crucifix are sterling silver.