Our Lady’s Rosary Makers

Classes demonstrate techniques for making a chain-link rosary. 

Story by Joe Pisani

When Ajeesh Ouseph was a boy growing up in India, his family would gather before dinner to sing religious songs, read the Bible and pray the rosary. His mother’s devotion to Mother Mary had a strong influence on him.

“From childhood, she used to pray the rosary, and she told me to carry it with me all the time,” he says. “It is insurance that Mary is with you.”

He has prayed the rosary every day since he was a boy and believes his devotion to the Blessed Mother and the influence of his parents led him to the seminary and his love of making rosaries, a skill he learned from a family in his hometown. 

He still recalls when 54 seminarians would kneel in the grotto before the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, praying together for Mary’s guidance and protection. 

Ordained on Jan. 5, 2018, in the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in India, Father Ouseph came to the Archdiocese of Hartford in 2023. Today, he serves as parochial vicar of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish, with churches in North Haven, and St. Ambrose Parish, with churches in Northford and North Branford. 

When he celebrated his first daily Mass at St. Barnabas Church in North Haven, about 15 to 20 women stayed afterward to pray the rosary; so, he joined them. This gave him the idea to share his love of the rosary with parishioners and teach them how to make their own handcrafted rosaries from materials that came from his native India. 

“We shared our intentions and prayed,” he recalls. “Then, one day the thought came to me, ‘Why don’t I teach them how to make a rosary?’”

When Father Ouseph later returned to his hometown in Konni, India, he purchased the necessary materials to make rosary beads — including wooden beads and pieces of cord. However, due to the weight restrictions on his flights, he was only able to transport half of the rosary materials. He also had to leave behind some food his mother made him.

Last autumn, the priest held two rosary-making classes at St. Barnabas Church Hall, attracting some 65 people. 

“I introduced the rosary and explained its importance and told them (the participants) it’s a spiritual weapon that gives us Mother Mary’s protection,” Father Ouseph says. “Then, I showed them step-by-step how to make one.” He was assisted by members of the rosary group. 

“As we made the rosaries, we listened to a Gregorian chant, and I explained that making the rosary is not a craft project but a spiritual activity,” he adds.

Last year, Father Ouseph made 100 rosaries and was able to sell them for $5 apiece at one of the church’s Christmas bazaar. The revenue benefitted the parish. He gave away a few remaining rosaries as gifts.

Since coming to the United States and getting his first car, Father Ouseph says he always keeps a strand of rosary beads in the vehicle. Before driving, he says a “Hail Mary” to seek Our Lady’s protection on the road.

Rosary-making classes are held regularly for parishioners of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish and St. Ambrose Parish. The next rosary-making class is scheduled for May 24, 10 a.m. to noon, at St. Monica Church Hall, 1321 Middletown Ave., Northford. A materials fee is charged. For more information and to sign up, call parish offices at 203.239.5378 or 203.484.0403. For class dates later this year, visit stelizabethofthetrinity.org or nbcatholics.org.