Way back in my 10th grade world history class I remember learn about the idea of Memento mori and the Danse Macabre while we were learning about the late Middle Ages. I remember that in one of the books there was a cool picture of a rosary with skull shaped beads. That, and the image of dancing skeletons made a big impression on me. The call to “remember that you die” wasn’t just a morbid curiosity. For I high school kid it was refreshing to remember that we would all stand in front of our maker one day was refreshing. It was very democratic.
The Dance of Death (1493)
by Michael Wolgemut, from the Nuremberg Chronicle of Hartmann Schedel
While other kids where focusing on Carpe diem and hedonistically “seizing the day,” I was trying to “Remember Man that you are dust and unto dust you shall return.” (Gn 3:19) I was always one for the dramatic.
Fast forward a number of years… wow, a lot of years… and I noticed that someone was selling a really cool memento mori rosary. The price was much higher than I was willing to pay, but I really wanted it. I looked around, and I realized that the world probably has more rosary makers than it ever needs. Honestly people, what is the big deal?
So, being a crafty person, I did the only logical thing; became a rosary maker. I found that I could make the rosary that I wanted for less money, (see the featured image on this post), but probably not surprisingly it took a lot of time. (That is what you are paying for when you buy a rosary). Regrettably, I also found something that I like to do. Now I understand why so many people make rosaries.
