Abbey-Roads2

Photo:  Wiccan prayer beads. 

More on the Cosmic rosary thing…again? 

Michael Brown of Spirit Daily has another post on the Cosmic Rosary - gosh - he just won’t let this go will he?  Why do people think this is such a big deal?  Catholics don’t have a copyright on prayer beads.

Religions predating Christianity have used stones or beads to count their prayers, as have later non-Christian religions, such as Islam.  In Persia, a string of prayer beads is called a Tasbih.  Prayer beads are far more ancient than Christianity; Hindus, Buddhists, and other pagan religions have all used prayer beads, some with amulets attached.  (In China the beads are called, Shu Zhu; in Japan, Juzu; in India, Japa Malas.)  The Marian rosary, as we know it, began as Pater Noster beads, 150 count, for people who did not know the psalter by heart.  (The Eastern Orthodox retain the use of so-called Jesus beads, developed by early hesychasts.) 

Catholics believe Our Lady instructed St. Dominic to promote the rosary amongst the faithful to defeat heresy and evangelize the people.  The rosary given by Our Lady at that time, was pretty much the same format as we pray it today.  Although in medieval art, the rosary is often depicted without a crucifix or even a centerpiece.  In fact, the Dominican method of praying the rosary does not include the first five beads of prayer between the crucifix and centerpiece.  (1 Pater bead, 3 Ave beads, 1 Gloria bead, etc.)

Today, non-Catholics, such as Lutherans and Anglicans, sometimes pray the traditional Roman Catholic rosary.  In fact, Anglicans have developed a variant on the rosary, but I am unfamiliar with it.  Today neo-pagans and New Agers have come up with they’re own style of prayer beads.  The “new” beads are obviously not the rosary of Our Lady.

But so what?

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Interestingly enough, the Lutheran rosary uses what they call the pre-Trent Hail Mary on the Ave beads, or an invocation of Martin Luther’s in honor of the Madonna:

Pre-Trent Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of they womb, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Evangelical praise of the Mother of God (Attributed to Martin Luther)

O Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, what great comfort God has shown us in you, by so graciously regarding your unworthiness and low estate. This encourages us to believe that henceforth He will not despise us poor and lowly ones, but graciously regard us also, according to your example.