Rosary for ChildrenRosary beads are a most precious
gift for a Roman Catholic child. Roman Catholic children receive two holy sacraments
around the age of seven, the sacrament of Reconciliation and the sacrament of
the Holy Eucharist, and there is no better gift to mark these events than that
of rosary beads. The devotion of the rosary has a special connection with children;
most of the Marian apparitions are first experienced by children. In many of these
apparitions, Mary encourages the children who see her to pray the rosary,
and she often appears with rosary beads on her person. A child, perhaps, sees
better than we grownups do, and can truly appreciate what is holy.
The
sacrament of Reconciliation is the first sacrament the Roman Catholic child receives
after baptism. Usually, the child will take two years of religious instruction,
preparing for it and his or her First Holy Communion. The sacrament can be a scary
one for a seven or eight year old child, so much is done by the teacher and parents
to take the fear out of going into the confessional box. In these modern times,
Roman Catholic children can choose a "face to face" confession with
the priest instead of kneeling behind a screen. Although it is not as celebrated
as the First Holy Communion, a rosary would be a most fitting way to commemorate
this, the
child's first sentient sacramental experience.
The First
Holy Communion usually occurs in the second grade school year of the child. The
whole family gets caught up in this momentous occasion. The girls are dressed
like little brides and the boys are sometimes donning their first suits. Parents
often rent restaurants or halls in which to celebrate with their children after
the Mass. They are filled with pride because for the first time, their children
will walk up the aisle and receive Communion with them. Friends and relatives
give gifts to the child after the ceremony, and among these there should always
be rosary beads. The rosary has always been the consummate family prayer of the
Roman
Catholic Church. It was also the only kind of catechism many Roman Catholics
received in England when the Anglican Church came into power and the Roman Catholic
religion was outlawed. The rosary represents Roman Catholic history and dogma
as well as being itself a well-loved prayer. It is the perfect gift for children
who are taking the first steps to becoming members of their Church¹s congregations.
I offer many different rosaries made to fit a child's smaller hands. They
come with a variety of style crosses and beads. Some are made of gold and silver
but there are also less expensive ones, made of silver over pewter. The beads
can be semi-precious stones, wood or Swarovski crystal in a variety of colors.
Take the time to choose the rosary best fitting the child whose gift it will be,
and be assured it will be a gift kept and treasured for years to come. |
