Rosary Beads

[Winter_Rose]

Hi guys and gals, I wasn't sure where to put this, so I hope it's ok in this section. I'm thinking of writing a fan fiction of my favourite British comedy sitcom Allo Allo: 'Allo 'Allo! - Wikipedia!

The plot I'm hoping to use is that the characters smuggle in rosary beads from one place to another. I would like to know what sort of materials would WW2 rosaries be made of? Or what would be easiest to smuggle?

Also what were the Nazis like towards Catholicism? Were they open to it or not?

Many thanks and God Bless!

 

[Michie]

Hi guys and gals, I wasn't sure where to put this, so I hope it's ok in this section. I'm thinking of writing a fan fiction of my favourite British comedy sitcom Allo Allo: 'Allo 'Allo! - Wikipedia!

The plot I'm hoping to use is that the characters smuggle in rosary beads from one place to another. I would like to know what sort of materials would WW2 rosaries be made of? Or what would be easiest to smuggle?

Also what were the Nazis like towards Catholicism? Were they open to it or not?

Many thanks and God Bless!

Battlefield rosaries were made of steel. I have one if you'd like me to post a pic. Nazis did not care for Catholicism and infact killed some priests and nuns in the Jewish extermination camps. I imagine the easiest rosary to smuggle would be a rosary ring or card.

 

[Davidnic]

Nazi's were pretty brutal to Catholics in many places. Dachau had a priest block specifically for Priests prisoners in that camp. Some places had it worst than others. In France the relationship was more complex where the Church stayed visually on the good side but helped the resistance. You know the episode where Rene and Evette want to get secretly married and the priest goes to the Bishop to get permission because they are in the resistance. The Church in France walked a tightrope like that.

The Nazi's in general allowed people to keep their Catholicism as long as they did not get too much in the way. Some did and were killed. Some helped the resistance on the side. Some, like the great Catholic theologian Deitrich von Hildbrand fled and led an intellectually resistance from a distances attacking the philosophy of National Socialism.

Occasionally resistances wold smuggle rosaries to jewish people along with forged Baptism certificates. It helped save Jewish lives under the thought...only a Catholic would have a rosary.

In the war era personal non Combat rosaries were often Lead Crystal, even Clay bead. In Allo Allo, as long as Michelle of the resistance does not have the clay ones made of plastic explosive...it should be safe

 

[chevyontheriver]

Hi guys and gals, I wasn't sure where to put this, so I hope it's ok in this section. I'm thinking of writing a fan fiction of my favourite British comedy sitcom Allo Allo: 'Allo 'Allo! - Wikipedia!

The plot I'm hoping to use is that the characters smuggle in rosary beads from one place to another. I would like to know what sort of materials would WW2 rosaries be made of? Or what would be easiest to smuggle?

Also what were the Nazis like towards Catholicism? Were they open to it or not?

Many thanks and God Bless!

While smuggling is quite possible, and I'm sure it happened, they are easy to make. String knotted in the right way, string with wooden beads, string with any sort of beads, all can be made quietly without government consent.

The Nazis couldn't quite eliminate Catholicism from Germany or controlled areas, but they did kill many priests and imprison many more. Nazi paganism was it's own religion, but I'm not going to get into that here. There were Catholic soldiers and officers in the regular German armed forces so I suspect they had rosaries even there.

 

[Davidnic]

As far as the Nazi interests in rosaries...they did not pay much attention unless it was a famous one. Much like how they went after pieces of art. In France they would have been interested in the rosary of King Louis IX (St. Louis) who would have had one of the oldest...or Cardinal Richelieu or some other historical figure. But they were not, to my knowledge, contraband.

 

[Saint Beloved]

Cool idea! I've seen a few episodes here and there.

 

[Winter_Rose]

Cool idea! I've seen a few episodes here and there.

I've been a fan for quite a while as one of my uncles has got the DVD box sets and sometimes when I go and visit, we watch a few episodes.

 

[Rhamiel]

at that time I think most "nice" (think upper middle class family heirloom) rosaries would be high quality glass, so cut crystal

if it was of nobility or the ultra rich it could even be gemstone, one or two gemstones and semi-precious stones

more affordable would be simple glazed beads or wood

 

[Michie]

You guys might enjoy this link to a Rosary Museum.
Rosary Workshop: Museum - Antique Rosaries - (index)

 

[Winter_Rose]

Thanks for the info everyone!

 

[rockytopva]

I had bought the black pacific pearls from a vendor in Nuka Hiva, French Polynesia for around $20. The pearls were great but the necklace rope itself was of poor quality and eventually broke. I bought a Catholic, "Gunmetal Military Rosary - WWI Service Combat Rosary" on EBay and had a local jeweler recreate the necklace. Turned out real nice! I am real pleased!

 

[Michie]

I had bought the black pacific pearls from a vendor in Nuka Hiva, French Polynesia for around $20. The pearls were great but the necklace rope itself was of poor quality and eventually broke. I bought a Catholic, "Gunmetal Military Rosary - WWI Service Combat Rosary" on EBay and had a local jeweler recreate the necklace. Turned out real nice! I am real pleased!

I have a WW1 and 2 field rosary as well. Yours is a lot heftier than mine are.

 

[rockytopva]

I have a WW1 and 2 field rosary as well. Yours is a lot heftier than mine are.

God bless! Love my rosary beads! I have often been tempted to ask their worth… But… Would I be willing to sell?

 

[Michie]

God bless! Love my rosary beads! I have often been tempted to ask their worth… But… Would I be willing to sell?

If they are blessed you are not allowed to sell. But you could gift them.

 

[rockytopva]

If they are blessed you are not allowed to sell. But you could gift them.

They are a thing of value and not for sale. I did not know I was not allowed to sell them, thanks for the info. That does not hurt my feelings!

 

[Michie]

They are a thing of value and not for sale. I did not know I was not allowed to sell them, thanks for the info. That does not hurt my feelings!

I have a pretty big collection. I tend to rescue them from estates, etc. But yeah, anytime anything is blessed, we are not allowed to sell it.