What is the Rosary of Love?

A rosary is a set of prayer beads that connects our hearts with the unconditional motherly love of Mary as she leads us step by step, bead by bead through the life of her Son and the wonders of His love. As you hold this rosary, feel the lineage of the thousands of hearts linked together through the rhythm of the Rosary. May His ultimate healing be with you and may your journey with Him be strengthened through the Rosary.

This rosary holds the Christus Vincit crucifix, Jesus Christ Conquers. The crucifix is a summary of our faith and can be used as a teaching tool for others. It profoundly demonstrates God’s love for each and every person. Through the crucifix came our salvation. It is a symbol of victory and glory, a beautiful summary of the Christian faith.

Christ on the Cross

To look at Christ crucified is to look at a specific moment in time in which the fullness of God’s love was revealed to mankind. In his own words, Christ says, “Greater love has no one than this, that He lay down his life for his friends.“ (John 15:30.) The crucifix reminds us that an all-powerful God freely chose to give up His life for us because He loved us. This reality motivates our faith in Him. As St. Paul says, “I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Gal 2:20.) In addition to Christ on the Cross, the Christus Vincit contains many other important symbols that summarize some of the principle elements of our faith.

The Skull

Located at the bottom of the crucifix is a skull. The skull represents the sin of our first parents. It was to undo this sin and this tragic event that Christ came into the world.

The Scallop Shell

Located at the top of the crucifix is a scallop shell. The shell is a symbol of Baptism, our rebirth. What was lost in the beginning (represented by the skull) is redeemed by Christ on the cross (Christ crucified.) The loss of grace which was won by Christ is now given back to man through the Sacrament of Baptism. A new life with Christ begins. “Unless you are born of water and spirit you cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

The Greek Letters

The Greek Letters, IC-XC NIKA, located on the back of the crucifix mean Jesus Christ Conquers, Jesus Christ is victorious. —Father Daniel Massick, L.C.