I’ve written a lot about the rosary before: how to pray the rosary, reasons to pray the rosary, interesting facts about the rosary, and tips for praying the rosary. What can I say? The rosary is a beloved devotion within the Catholic church, and I’m a person who tends to fall in the camp of “more information is better.” I like to learn, and I like to share what I learn. 

Today, in honor of the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary, I thought I’d offer some practical ideas on how to choose a rosary, either for yourself or for a loved one. There are so many rosaries available, and while they typically share the same patterns of beading, there are countless variations in terms of style, color, texture, and size. There’s no one rosary that is better than another, but there may be one that is a better fit for your needs and preferences. 

Here are a few considerations to keep in mind as you are choosing a rosary.

Consider personal taste

For the longest time, I prayed the rosary using a cheap, plastic set of beads that I received in first grade or so, along with the other 180 kids who went to my parish school. I hope I’m not sounding snotty or ungrateful when I fail to speak only positively about this rosary. There was some nice group of people, or an individual, who made all those rosaries for all those kids, and it warms my heart with gratitude to think of them! And the rosary served me well for a long time!

But… my tastes have evolved over the years, and there came a time for me to upgrade my rosary. Sure, all rosaries can accomplish the same thing, but I do tend to believe that aesthetics matter. Just like prayer becomes a full sensory experience when you enter a church and smell the beeswax, feel the smoothness of the pews, and see the beauty of the light streaming through the stained glass windows, praying the rosary can become a more fully rounded experience when we take delight in the feel and look of our beads. So, consider the color of the rosary you are choosing, as well as the material, style and size, and pick ones that sparks joy and and nurtures peace in within you. 

Consider sturdiness 

To put it bluntly, how hardy a rosary is will matter for some people and not for others. No one should be playing rough with a rosary, but let’s just be realistic and note that your six-year-old nephew is more likely to tug on the crucifix or fidget with the beads while praying than, say, your elderly mother-in-law. That said, if you are giving a rosary to a young person, you might consider wooden beads like these ones. Or, for a really young child, instead of giving a traditional rosary, consider this Wood Rosary Pray & Play set.

Consider the symbolism 

While the numbering of beads remains standard across rosaries, the symbolism is greatly varied. For instance, the cream and peach beads of this rosary represent the graceful beauty of Mary's praying heart. Or, this rosary carries the message to “Be not afraid,” quite overtly with a pendant engraved with the words in JP2’s handwriting. Or this St. Joseph rosary features an image of St. Joseph with the child Jesus. There are so many options. Do yourself a favor and read the descriptions of at least a dozen or so different rosaries before choosing one. 

Whether you are choosing your first rosary or your fifteenth, a rosary as a gift for a loved one or a rosary to share with a stranger in need, you’ll find many options available. I hope that the process of picking one fills you with gratitude, hope, peace and joy.