A Guide To Paternoster Beads

What Does Paternoster Mean?

"Pater Noster" is the Latin term for "Our Father," which is the beginning of the Lord's Prayer. The Lord's Prayer is a central Christian prayer taught by Jesus Christ to his disciples, as recorded in the Bible in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4.

The prayer begins with "Our Father," which acknowledges God as a loving and caring Father figure. The prayer then asks for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, for daily bread, for the forgiveness of sins, and protection from temptation and evil.

The phrase "Paternoster" is often used to refer to the Lord's Prayer as a whole and is sometimes used as a title for specific prayers or hymns based on the Lord's Prayer. It is a significant prayer in Christianity and is frequently recited in Christian worship services and private prayer.

What Are Paternoster Beads?

The Paternoster beads, also known as the Our Father beads, are a set of prayer beads used in Catholic and Anglican Christian traditions. They are used as an aid to prayer, especially for reciting the Lord's Prayer or Pater Noster.

The Paternoster beads typically consist of a strand of beads with a cross or crucifix attached to one end and a tassel or medal attached to the other. The strand contains fifty total beads or five decades, each consisting of ten beads.

How To Use A Paternoster

To use Paternoster Prayer Beads the user holds the cross or crucifix and begins by reciting the Apostles' Creed:

"I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen."

Then, moving to the first bead and recite the Lord's Prayer or Pater Noster. After each prayer, they move to the next bead and recite a Hail Mary prayer. This is repeated for each of the five decades of beads.

Lords Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Hail Mary Prayer

Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

The use of Paternoster beads is a form of devotional prayer and is often used as a way to focus the mind and deepen one's spiritual connection with God. It is a popular form of worship for many Christians and is often used in personal and communal settings.

View Paternoster Prayer Beads in our shop.

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