My Rosary Story: Rosaries and Memories

Sherry Hayes-Peirce reminisces about the prayer connections attached to each Rosary in her collection.

How many Rosaries do you have? I was surprised to find that there were seven in my prayer box. In looking at them I realized each one of them was attached to a person or or an experience in my life.

Sherry HP 1

In fact, I always have a Rosary in my purse with the intention of offering at least a decade for a co-worker who is battling cancer these days. The Rosary in my purse has been there for nearly two years and it is pictured to the far right. It is a simple black Rosary that belonged to my parish priest Msgr. Thomas Acton who died nearly two years ago next month. The Rosary was given to him by the Knights of Columbus at my first parish Maria Regina in Gardena. His family, was kind enough to give it to me when he died. It reminds me of him and the many times his prayers for me and my family were offered when he prayed the Rosary.

The next Rosary has a picture of Pope Francis. It was promoted through social media during his visit to the United States and I thought that it might be nice to have Rosary beads that would remind me to pray for the Holy Father. It arrived in a beautiful box and I’ve only used them twice: to pray the Rosary for his birthday in December 2015 and 2016.

Sherry HP Rosary 2

The third Rosary is from my current parish of 23 years, American Martyrs Catholic Community. It was given to me as a gift during a celebration of volunteers and it was perfect because the beads were a sapphire blue like my birthstone. The mystery beads are represented by one of the North American Martyrs who gave their lives for our faith.

Number four is for the 100th anniversary of Fatima. It was given to me by a friend who’s daughter traveled to Portugal for the celebration. It is a lovely lavender color and reminds me of how our Blessed Mother chose three children to share her messages to the world. When I pray with this Rosary it reminds me to love and understand God’s will for my life and accept it like these obedient children.

My fifth Rosary is one that I purchased in Cancun, Mexico. We were walking through the Mayan ruins and there were a number of artisans making handmade Rosaries for sale. The crucifix is made out of black Obsidian that is unique to this part of the world. Sadly, I have never prayed with this Rosary. Note to self to start praying the Rosary with it in coming weeks.

A simple plastic Rosary with a white crucifix with pink and blue beads was the last Rosary that my father prayed with while in the hospital recovering from a massive stroke. This sixth Rosary was given to my dad by the nuns at the Catholic rehabilitation center where he died. When they gave us his personal effects, this Rosary was part of them, and when I hold it, it is like holding his hand. I remember him praying the Rosary many times through my life. My earliest memory was when I was in the hospital with pneumonia about 4 or 5 years old.

Number seven is the Seven Sorrows of Mary Rosary. My parish hosted Imaculee Illibagiza, and she introduced us to this powerful prayer practice. Before she prayed it with us I was only familiar with the Feast Day of Our Lady of Sorrows and that September is dedicated to it. Meditating on the dolors of Our Lady has helped me to overcome sadness and anxiety during the pandemic.

I am sure that more will join my collection, but the ones that I clutch in prayer for now connect me to people and places that have helped me to grow in faith.

What are your tales of the Rosary?