Seat of Wisdom

Rosary for Troops

For instructions:

Printable page:  How to Make Knotted Cord or Twine Rosaries

Instructions are made available by the Rosary Army website.
For more information or to get involved with their ministry, check out their website at  http://www.rosaryarmy.com/

Video Instruction:  http://rosaryarmy.newevangelizers.com/make-them/

For supplies:

Our Lady's Rosary Makers  -  black plastic crucifixes  -  item M51

Twine by Design  #36 rosary cord:

  ♦  Army Camo  for the woodland camouflage uniform
  ♦  Desert Camo  for the desert camouflage uniform

Twine colors listed above have been approved for rosaries used by troops outside the wire.  FNT tan and FNT camo colors are still acceptable, if anyone has a supply on hand.  Other shades of tan/gold cord are NOT suitable for our recipients.  If you have already made cord rosaries in black or other military colors, we can refer you to some other groups which collect them for our troops.

Thanks to a benefactor:  I notice you asked for tips on getting the twine through the holes.  What I do actually is when I measure out my length for the rosary I cut the twine using a candle, just put the place you want to cut right in the flame.  Have a cup of water close by.  As soon as it's cut with the flame, wet your fingers and roll the twine into a point.  If you get a good enough point the twine will fit through the hole.  Also, if you get your black crucifixes from Our Lady's Rosary Makers (http://www.olrm.org/), item M51 has a bigger hole. They are 500 for ten dollars.  The other black crucifixes can be bought cheaper here: http://www.crossesformary.com/, but those have the regular sized holes.

Another suggestion is to fold a short piece of fishing line in half to use as a "threader".  Pass this loop through the hole of the crucifix, put the end of your twine into the loop and pull it through.

The hole of  item M51  crucifix from Our Lady's Rosary Makers is large enough to fit a single thickness of #36 cord wrapped with masking tape at the end.

Recruit a Helper:

If you know of anyone who might be interested in making camouflage rosaries for our troops, please send them an email link to this page.

With your pastor's approval, this printable flyer could be posted on a bulletin board in the church vestibule or meeting hall.

from Chaplain of Marines:
 
05 NOV 2009
 
Your donations of rosaries, chaplets, and prayer books were received by me and on behalf of the Marines and Sailors, I thank you for them.
 
These sacramentals will certainly aid our troops to grow in their Catholic faith.
 
As I write this letter to you, they are right now in various stages of supporting our troops who are in harm's way in Afghanistan, Iraq, and stationed in other duty stations around the world.
 
Again, thank you very much for supporting our troops!
 
In Christ

from Most Reverend Henry J. Mansell, Archbishop of Hartford, CT:
 
January 22, 2008
 
I commend you for your concern for our troops who serve in such difficult circumstances.  I am sure that the support of people like you bolsters their morale immeasurably.  In particular, the rosaries and other religious items that you send must be a source of great spiritual comfort to them.
...
 
I urge you to continue to support our troops with your prayers.
 
Be assured of my prayers and best wishes.

from the mother of a Soldier:
 
10-2-09
 
Just a note to thank you again for your prayers for Stephen.  He has been home for his two week leave and is returning to Afghanistan in two days.  It has been so wonderful to see him!
 
He and many of his men have been carrying their rosaries with them all the time - he took his out of his uniform pocket to show me as soon as he came home.
 
Please keep him and his men in your prayers.

from Battalion Chaplain of 3/11 Marines:
 
31 Aug 2009
 
Greetings from Afghanistan!  Accept our deep appreciation and gratitude for the prayer beads and care packages we have received, as well as your continued support of our Marines and Sailors of 3d Battalion, 11th Marines.
 
Every item received is greatly appreciated and cherished.  When a Marine or Sailor receives items from caring people such as you, they are reminded of why they serve in the Armed Forces and are encouraged to press on with their daily tasks.
 
Serving away from home is highly stressful; spouses are separated from each other, parents are separated from their children and everyone has loved ones back home that they miss dearly.  Your thoughtfulness brightened the hearts of our Marines and Sailors.  Thank you once again for your care and support of our Nation's troops.
 
Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we continue in our duties and responsibilities to our beloved country.

from Chaplain, 1st Battalion-7th Marines:
 
December 17, 2007
 
Thank you so much for your support to our troops here in Iraq.  Since we are far away from home it is always good for a morale boost for our men to get letters and packages from people who do care and appreciate the sacrifices they are making here.  Some times the simplest of things we receive are greatly appreciated and make all the difference in our days.  We are also so far away from anything that resembles a store that the care packages you sent are greatly appreciated.
 
Our Battalion, First Battalion-Seventh Marines, serves in the al Anbar Province, conducting sustainment missions in support of the Iraqi Army and Police.  I am happy to report that both entities are beginning to develop into adequate forces and that life for the Iraqi people is getting better each day.
...
 
January 2, 2008
 
I appreciate all the support you have given to the Marines and Sailors of First Battalion, Seventh Marines.  Your unselfishness has made our deployment that much easier.
...
 
Our deployment has been very successful.
...
Our efforts here have resulted in the people of our area going back to work in a safe environment, improved infrastructure, and lots of construction.  The Iraqi Army and Police are also gaining competence every day and should be able to sustain the safety of the people even without our direct oversight.
...
 
Again, my sincere thanks at your support and may God richly bless you.
 
In Christ