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EARLY CHURCH TRADITION Where do we go to understand why skulls were / are used in rosaries and chaplets? We can track the use of skulls in prayer beads, rosaries and chaplets back to the late middle ages (1066-1485) . The custom was especially popular from the 15c through the middle of the 19c in Italy, Germany and Mexico (from Spain) with religious (priests and nuns). Skull beads are found in prayer counters from other religions, too. It helps to understand more about the customs of El Dia de los Muertos (see below). Also see Memento Mori. EL DIA de los MUERTOS
see the skull rosaries below A SPLENDID REWARD - ATONEMENT - CHAPLET TO RISE AGAIN great information not to be missed MEMEMTO MORI' - SECRET OF THE SKULL DIA de los MUERTOS - MORE OLD CUSTOMS for more links BOTTOM OF PAGE |
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VICTORY OVER DEATH Bright multicolored skulls bring a smile to ones face! We were surprized these rosaries sold before they were even on the internet. But couldn't help merge the idea of the rainbow and how in Genesis, Gods promise tied together. So Victory Over Death' seemed to be the perfect name of this rosary. For more information call 877 695 3561 about RDLM.21040 or click icon above. + HALLOWE'EN Hallowe'en - Hallow-een, Hallow's Eve - All Hallow's Eve = Hallowe'en! You probably knew that! But this popular holiday loved so much by children and those who are young at heart has its roots in traditions of the Catholic Church, (actually earlier in Celtic Tradition) but for now, lets look at its Christian roots. For many, during the Reformation, the doctrine of the Communion of Saints and praying for the dead was dropped, thus calling 'All Hallows Eve' (empty). 'Hollow' Eve! |
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But how is this celebrated within the Church? All Hallows Eve is celebrated on 31 October as the vigil of two feast days: All Saints Day (1 November) and All Souls Day (2 November). It is a day to pray for the dead and help release them from purgation, evil, thus skeletons, devils, ghosts, witches and the like became the theme. In Latin America these combined days are called 'Day of the Dead' or (Dia de la Muertos). See more under Pictures and links above. |
~ 'A SPLENDID REWARD' ROSARY ~ |
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ALL SKULL BEAD ROSARY This first rosary was especially designed for Father Robb's at his request. He loves to show it to the children at our local Catholic school (they love it!) and it gives him a chance to talk about the teachings of the church in 3 parts (Those on Earth - Militant, in Purgatory - Penitent and in Heaven - Triumphant). The skulls are crushed bone mixed with resin, cast in a skull mold, then antiqued. |
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solid bronze - sorry, no chaplet available. 31.5 in. |
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He then took up a collection among all his soldiers, amounting to two thousand silver drachmas, which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice. In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, in asmuch as he had the resurrection of the dead in view; ... |
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~ 'ATONEMENT' ROSARY ~
FROM FINE BOXWOOD |
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solid bronze |
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~ 'ATONEMENT' CHAPLET ~
THEME |
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solid bronze |
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PURGATORY' ROSARY The second rosary was designed for Father Joe. The Ojime skulls are hand carved by master carvers from fine boxwood and can take up to 4 hours to carve each one. He shared: Thank you so much for the special rosary to pray for the holy souls in purgatory rosary. This was a BIG BIG surprise. I must admit it is a reminder of the grace and prayers that are needed for souls to make it to God's heaven. Where in the world did you find those skulls and what are they made of? + The first thing that caught my attention was no center piece in this rosary. Rosaries from Croatia are often made this way. I have even thought of wanting a rosary with skulls for the Our Father beads to pray to remember my death and the departed loved ones. No such chaplet, chotkis or rosary with skulls is for sale in American Catholic stores. |
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~ 'TO RISE AGAIN' ~ |
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Little hand carved Ave skulls keep company with hard to find dark wooden skulls for Pater Beads. Also available with the St Benedict Cross (below) in cart. +
ALL PARTS AVAILABLE The rare crucifix shown below is from the Greek 'Treen' style which carries two small skulls at the foot of the cross, symbolizing Adam and Eve or 'Victory over Death.' Christ: the second Adam, Mary, the second Eve. An ancient tradition. |
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solid bronze 21 in. |
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~ 'MEMENTO MORI' CHAPLETS ~ |
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solid bronze |
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Actually, skull beads are universal and have been used as prayer counters in almost all religions on earth. Carved from wood, bone, ivory and sometimes seen formed in crystal. They are often two faced, one of a mans face, the other his skull. Crystal skulls were very, very popular. They were part of the term 'memento morie' or 'remember thy death'. + REMEMBER ---- Although the Dia de los Muertos probably does not relate directly with the rosaries above, it helps us understand traditions of 'memento mori' ("remember thy death," "Remember that you are mortal," "Remember you will die," "Remember that you must die,") theme. Also see our information on skull and crossbones seen on early crucifixes worn by religious. What does it have to do with Adam? See below: |
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And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. |
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~ THE SECRET of the SKULL ~ |
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FIT INTO THIS MYSTERY? + closeuo of the skull beads
+ GENESIS 3:5 ... I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel." |
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ANTIQUE SKULL BEADS MADE FOR CONVENT ROSARIES Ya gotta love 'em or hate 'em! |
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WHAT IS THE MYSTERY OF ADAM'S SKULL & GOLGATHA ? for more information click any icon above |
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~ MORE CUSTOMS ~ |
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CUSTOM FROM CROATIA When I was in grammar school my dad's uncles from Croatia and family would go to the graveyard the week before Easter to visit family graves. We carried with us special cakes, food and special wine to spread a table cloth over the family plot and had a nice party eating and talking about the departed loved ones. My special duty was to bury the mass cards under the head stones to remind Grandpa and other family members that we were remembering themm and praying to get them out of purgatory. I remember my dad sharing a glass of wine with his dad by pouring it out over the grave. + Then my dad would gather his family around and pray a blessing over us and sprinkle holy water on our heads. Each family did that. Even after all these years I remember part of the prayers. Then the oldest family member would pray: |
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+ We trust in the mercies of our Holy Savior who will come to judge the living and the dead and the world by fire. Make the Sign of the Cross. Amen |
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~ COMMENTS ~ |
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FIRST: -- your skull rosaries are magnificent! My first post to Rosary_Makers was about skull rosaries - the skull is a symbol I love. Like Ash Wednesday! SECOND: -- thank you for doing something so BOLD. I've been quaking about even just acknowledging some of the mystics/poets who inspire my rosaries - afraid they might be too "out there" - that somebody somewhere might be offended. I've been forcing myself to go ahead and do it -- and I want you to know that it's TREMENDOUSLY INSPIRATIONAL to see you bolding forging forward with such zest & good cheer! Carry on! Laura E ...
purgatory rosary ...
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~ VISIT - DIOS de la MUERTOS ~ |
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MISSION STATEMENT Our vision is to provide the finest handmade rosaries, chaplets and other fine religious art forms for personal worship we can make using the best supplies available. The Guild believes the work of our hands should give visual Glory to God, therefore for us, the best for you is very, very important. + LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SKULL IN ART BY FOLLOWING THE LINKS BELOW AND ALSO USE THE SEARCH BELOW BY ENTERING 'SKULL' TO SEE ALL ON OUR SITE. read about the tradition of the skull THE SKULL IN ART - THE NEW ADAM OLD EUROPEAN CRUCIFIXES see our Rosaries using skulls, following old tranditions RDLM SKULL ROSARIES - MEMENTO MORI and also see these links DIA de los MUERTO (a Celebration in Mexico) OLD BELIEVERS ICONS & CRUCIFIXES and did you know about this? CAN YOU IDENTIFY THIS? (two skulls) + TOP OF PAGE |
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secure-online - credit card -[or]- mail in - mo/personal check |
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