Differentiating Rosaries from Chaplets

While rosaries and chaplets may have a lot of similarities, they are not the same and it can be difficult differentiating between the two if one has not been part of the Catholic Church for a long period of time. Both are sacramentals in the Catholic Church, they are symbols and sacred signs instituted by the Church that signify spiritual effects and favors obtained through the Church’s intercession. The Rosary focuses on the life of Jesus Christ and is prayed to show devotion in honor of the Virgin Mary.

The term 'rosary' is derived from the Latin word rosarium, which translates to “a crown of flowers.”

There are a number of variations to praying the rosary, but the most common involves prayers that include the Apostle's Creed, Our Father, Glory Be and Hail Holy Queen along with five Decades with five Mysteries. Each decade represents an important chapter or mystery in the life of Christ.   Chaplets, on the other hand, are more of a devotional prayer card, with the amount of beads being tied to the specific prayer, often to a saint. Chaplets have fewer beads and make use of different prayers, depending on one's the devotion to the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ, or a specific Saint. Two of our favorites are the Chaplet of the Five Wounds and the Chaplet of Saint Michael. By using a chaplet or rosary, you tap into the power of focus in prayer. There is no rule when it comes to praying both a rosary and a chaplet. If you pray the rosary, you can always add a chaplet prayer during your prayer time to add a personal devotion. Sue Anna Mary, offers a great selection of handcrafted catholic rosaries and chaplets featuring semi-precious gems such as amethyst, aquamarine, Canadian Jade, garnet, and more. [caption id="attachment_1818" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Catholic Women's Rosary Handmade with Blue Apatite[/caption] Whether it’s for personal use or a loved one, sacramentals are great gifts for birthdays, a child’s First Communion, wedding, or any other special occasion. Additionally, Sue Anna Mary puts her faith at the center of her enterprise by donating 10% of all proceeds to the Franciscans that maintain Jerusalem’s holy sites.