Rosary: Personent Hodie

Personent hodie voces puerulae - 

On this day earth shall ring with the song children sing -

This rosary is based on the wonderful medieval Latin carol traditionally sung by boys. It became a particular favorite of my older son, Gregory, when he was a young chorister. He told me just recently that at the time, he had no idea what the words meant--he just loved the way the carol sounded. I make this rosary each year at Christmastime. It's especially appropriate this year since Gregory and his wife are about to become parents for the first time.

The rosary is made of vintage (1950's) fine Venetian millefiori beads about 8mm in size. This year's Venetian beads are a great deal finer and more delicate than the 1970's versions I have used in former years which are no longer available to me. These beautiful beads have a red ground, which makes them very festive. The Pater beads are simple rounds of shiny 10mm black onyx.

The center medal for this rosary depicts the Infant of Prague in a radiant background. It harmonizes beautifully with the radiant crucifix. This rosary is one of a kind.