A rosary is a special string of beads that Catholics use to help them pray and meditate. The beads are arranged in a circle with a small crucifix hanging from them, and each bead represents a specific prayer. As people pray, they move from bead to bead with their fingers, which helps them keep count and stay focused.

Catholics think of each prayer as offering a rose to Mary, the mother of Jesus. When someone “prays the rosary,” they're working through a series of prayers while thinking about important moments in Jesus's life, called mysteries. The repetitive nature of moving through the beads creates a rhythm that many people find calming and meditative.

You might see a rosary hanging from a car's rearview mirror, worn as a necklace (though this isn't its intended purpose), or kept in someone's pocket. Some rosaries are simple wooden beads, while others are made from precious materials and passed down through families as treasured heirlooms. The rosary has been used for centuries as a devotional tool, combining physical touch, repeated words, and quiet reflection into a single practice.