The origin of the word bead comes from the Middle English word bede, which meant a prayer. People use strung beads in order to keep track of a series of prayers, with Catholic rosaries being an example.
Catholic rosaries contain sets of 10 beads, called decades, separated by one bead in between each decade. The also have a chain of 5 beads and a crucifix hanging from the main chain.
Praying the rosary is a complex procedure that involves saying several different prayers and contemplating mysteries. Prayers include The Apostles’ Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary (said for each decade bead and the 3 smaller beads in the chain holding the crucifix), Glory Be, and Hail Holy Queen.
While a rosary looks like a necklace, Catholic children were told not to wear them because it was disrespectful.
These rosaries belonged to Stella (Houle) LeBlanc.
Rosaries
