Blog Updating

Because of my intense school schedule and the busy nature of post-novitiate here in Chicago, I haven’t had a chance to update this blog as much as I’d have liked. With a week before school starts again, I hope to add a little “flair” to the blog…and hopefully check in more often!

Another reason I need to update is because the needs and concerns of my province. I will soon be adding another page that specifically outlines the conditions I can make a rosary for someone. Unfortunately the Digital World is a great place for ministry, but is still filled with people who seek to scam or take advantage of the ignorance of others. I’ve had the chance to make rosaries for people in other countries than my own, but that may soon end.

If you’ve recently emailed me, I’ll attempt to get back with you about the particulars. However I will also include a link to the new standards I’ve been asked to use by my Order.

Thanks for understanding, and blessings to all of you who make The Holy Rosary a part of your prayer life.

La Paz… -vito

Finding Time During School

Getting back into the swing of school has been tough. Numerous papers, projects, and even a few speeches fill my time when I’m not committed to house matters or my ministry. People have still been asking about rosaries, but it takes a lot longer for me to finish them these days.

Most recently I finished this 15-decade rosary for a Dominican Friar in Ireland. I used onyx agate this time instead of wood, and used an 18 gauge tarnish-resistant wire for the wire-work. Dominican rosaries are a lot of work, but they look very nice when they’re finished. Living in Chicago has given me access to so much more supplies, I’m able to start experimenting with new materials while getting the things I need faster.

A Capuchin Rosary and Role of the Pendant

One of the wonderful friars from the NY province asked me for a rosary a few months back. While I found it tough to work my rosary-making skill into my school, ministry, prayer, and community time, I realize that this is still something that give me joy and allows me to enter into a state of prayer.

Today I finished the rosary and went out on the roof to get a few pictures of the rosary.

Back to Work

After getting classes figured out, realizing how much homework I have, and learning to integrate my time in a way much different from Novitiate, I’ve gone back to work at making rosaries. As seen from my previous rosary, the workshop has changed, but I’m still working on a crowded desk.

These are the beads I’m using for a Capuchin rosary. These are olive wood; a nice look for a very simple looking rosary.

Sorry for the bad quality. My Blackberry doesn’t take great night pictures. I’ll remember that in the future.

Rosary for a Benedictine

It seems like I’ve been asked by a lot of other religious to make rosaries as well. During my vacation break I was asked to make a rosary for a Benedictine out of Florida. It was hard to find the time to complete it. But this past week I spent a lot of time at our high school seminary, and had time to complete it.

Preparing to Move

After getting back from our final retreat here at Novitiate, we’ve got 14 days left before the year is done. It’s getting a little hectic with the packing, cleaning, and studying I have to do in preparation for the move, but I’m still finding time to make rosaries when I can.

If you’ve requested to purchase a rosary, I haven’t forgot about you!

Thanks for your patience. -Br. Vito

Finally Finished!

The crucifix on the left is more ornate, but the one on the right has better woodwork and a built-in hanger.

Almost 2 months ago I started on a Franciscan Crown for someone. The one hang-up was waiting for the San Damiano crucifix to come in. Ordinarily I use smaller ones, but the buyer requested something a little bigger. Unfortunately the place I ordered it from took a really long time to get the crucifix to me.

Yesterday I got it in, and was able to complete the rosary. I took pictures with both crucifixes to show the difference.

Business is Good

Being an ex car-salesman, it’s hard for me not to see the world in terms of numbers. For years I watched margins, gross profit, floor plan reports, and negotiated deals while trying to always ensure a profit. It seemed like my success was tied to my ability to make the company money.

Unfortunately that sometimes still carries over to the “business” of making rosaries.

Guide to Making a “Breakaway”

If you inspect a habit rosary worn by someone who wears it on a regular basis, you’ll often find a mechanism that allows the rosary to not break when it’s pulled, tangled, or caught on something. Especially a longer rosary (like the one I wear) is extremely susceptible to getting caught in a car door, stuck on a pew, or pulled by someone/something. 

This breakaway was made by another friar, made smaller than mine.

 

The term breakaway is what I’ve called this unique mechanism, simply because no one has provided me with a better name. I got the concept from the breakaway rim used in basketball: a device that keeps guys from crashing the backboard after a big dunk. The purpose of a rosary breakaway is to provide a means for the rosary to be torn away from the belt without destroying the rosary. Since the device is built to provide a weak-spot, the breakaway prevents eye pins or jump rings from being pulled out. It also prevents cord rosaries from snapping. 

I’ve been asked several times to make a guide for these. I took some time because, honestly, I’m still not an expert at it. However people tell me I’m my own worst critic, so I decided to post this guide on how to make a breakaway, especially for those religious who are interested in making their own habit rosary. 

Not Just Habit Rosaries

 

Just so you don’t think I only make habit rosaries, this is a rosary I made for someone last month. I used black onyx for the beads which gives the rosary a shinier look than wood.

I found it interesting that these regular rosaries were tougher for me to make than the large, habit rosaries. The biggest thing is the wire work. Usually I have plenty of space to bend and attach wire, but these smaller rosaries showed me that there’s a lot of work that goes into a regular rosary

Here’s how it looks up close: