There exists a renewed interest in various forms of the Rosary which in fact have little to do with the classical rosary prayer itself. The term used commonly to designate these prayer forms is chaplet, probably because of their use of the beads. Some of these chaplets have a strong Marian connotation, others are more directly related to some saints. Not all of these variants of the authentic rosary are based on solid theology and devotional practice. The following are examples of chaplets. They are not researched as to historical accuracy and theological orthodoxy.

I. Chaplets of Our Lord

II. Chaplets of Our Lady

 III. Chaplets of the Angels

IV. Chaplets of the Saints

V. Chaplets for Special Needs and/or Themes

Chaplets of Our Lord

Blessed Sacrament Beads

These consist of a medal of the Blessed Sacrament and thirty-three beads, recalling the thirty-three years of Christ’s life on earth.

On the medal one makes a spiritual communion as follows: As I cannot now receive Thee, my Jesus, in Holy Communion, come, spiritually into my heart, and make it Thine own forever. On each bead say: Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, have mercy on us!

Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Method:

The Chaplet of Mercy is recited using ordinary rosary beads of five decades. At the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts the Chaplet is preceded by two opening prayers from the Diary of Blessed Faustina and followed by a closing prayer.

Optional opening prayer:

You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.

O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You!

Begin the Chaplet with the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Apostles’ Creed. Then, on the large bead before each decade pray:

Eternal Father,

I offer you the Body and Blood,

Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son,

Our Lord, Jesus Christ,

in atonement for our sins

and those of the whole world.

On the ten small beads of each decade, say:

For the sake of His

sorrowful Passion,

have mercy on us

and on the whole world.

Conclude with:

Holy God,

Holy Mighty One,

Holy Immortal One,

have mercy on us

and on the whole world. (repeat three times)

Optional closing prayer:

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion-inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.

* Celebrated on the Sunday after Easter.

Chaplet of the Infant Jesus

Beads:

There are three and twelve for this chaplet.

History:

This chaplet to the Holy Infant owes its origin to the zeal of Venerable Marguerite of the Blessed Sacrament of Beaune (France) who died in 1648 at age 27. It centers on the mystery of Jesus Christ’s infancy, highlighting especially purity of heart and innocence.

Method:

Our Father (3x) in honor of the Holy Family (3 beads)

Before each Our Father say: And the word became flesh, and lived among us.

Hail Mary (12x) in honor of the twelve years of Jesus’ infancy

Before the first Hail Mary say: And the word became flesh, and lived among us.

At the end of the chaplet say: Holy Infant Jesus, bless and protect us.

This chaplet (3 and 12 beads) has a medal with the image of the Holy Infant. It bears on its back the following invocation:

Divine Infant Jesus, I adore Your Cross, and I accept all the crosses You will be pleased to send me.

Adorable Trinity, I offer You for the glory of the Holy Name of God all the adorations of the Sacred Heart of the Holy Infant Jesus.