Rosaries & Chaplets: How are They Different?
Rosaries & Chaplets: How are They Different?
Both rosaries and chaplets have grouped beads for prayer. Yet, how are they different from one another? How are they similar?
5 Key Differences Between Rosaries & Chaplets
- CHAPLET: any set of beads used for prayer
- ROSARY: technically, a type of chaplet
A Rosary is a Type of Chaplet
By definition, a chaplet is any set of beads used for prayer. Although the Rosary is technically a chaplet, it is known simply as a rosary. Here, we are comparing the 5-decade Rosary to chaplets in general.
UPPERCASE OR LOWERCASE: Of note, Rosary with an uppercase “R” refers to the form of prayer. When it has a lowercase “r”, it refers to the prayer beads themselves. For example, we say Rosary prayers with our rosary beads. Chaplets generally have a lowercase “c” unless if they are a title. For example, the St. Michael Chaplet is a type of chaplet.
1
The Bead Layout is Usually Different
Both rosaries and chaplets use beads or knots to identify the prayers. They free us to focus our hearts and minds rather than being concerned about the next prayer. Yet, the groupings are different.
All rosaries have decades, which are groups of ten beads. They also have a group of three at the beginning. Single beads separate them. While they can also have a single decade or 20 of them, they always have the same basic layout.
Chaplets have so many different groupings that there is no single way to describe them. I made a binder of patterns to keep them organized. Of note, some chaplets have the same bead layout as a rosary but with different prayers.
- ROSARY: 5 decades
- CHAPLET: varies
- ROSARY: Mysteries, Our Father, etc.
- CHAPLET: varies
2
The Prayers are Different
The foundation of the Rosary is the four different mysteries. They are biblical and based on the key events in the lives of Jesus and Mary. Other than some variation in the closing prayers, we have said it the same way for generations.
Chaplet prayers are unique or in different combinations. Some contain both familiar prayers and unique prayers. To make it easier to pray, we provide a prayer card with each chaplet.
Both are occasional or daily prayers. A popular chaplet devotion is a novena for the nine days leading up to a feast day or solemnity.
3
What We Call Them
A rosary might have a descriptive name, like a Paracord Rosary, but it is always a “rosary”.
A chaplet can have a different title. For example, some are called beads, a crown, a corona, or even a rosary. The difference is in the prayers. For example, a 7 Sorrows Rosary is, in fact, a chaplet with different prayers from those of the Rosary. A Franciscan Crown looks like a rosary, only with two extra decades and a different bead layout in the beginning section.
- ROSARY: Rosary
- CHAPLET: chaplet, crown, rosary, etc.
- ROSARY: appearance
- CHAPLET: prayers & appearance
4
Chaplets Have Specific Themes
We can pray the Rosary for specific intentions or concerns. We can also pray it in thanksgiving or praise. The center medals often feature an image of Jesus, the Blessed Mother, a saint, or another theme. Yet it always has the same prayers and mysteries.
Chaplets have countless themes with specific prayers. For example, there are Divine Mercy prayers that go with the chaplet. There are over 100 different chaplets with unique themes.
5
Church Approval Differs
In 1569, Pope Pius V approved the 5-decade Dominican Rosary that we pray with. It is an indulgenced prayer with special blessings. Popes and saints have encouraged the faithful to pray it often, even daily.
Some chaplets have official approval, and others do not. For example, Pope Pius IX approved the Saint Michael the Archangel Chaplet in 1851. Others contain approved Catholic prayers. There are also those based only on private inspiration.
- ROSARY: approved in 1569
- CHAPLET: sometimes approved
How are Rosaries & Chaplets Similar?
- Both are prayer beads.
1
Prayer Beads
Since the term “chaplet” refers to prayer beads in general, the Rosary is a specific type of chaplet. Yet both rosaries and chaplets are forms of prayer beads.
2
Where and When We Pray Them
We can pray with a rosary or chaplet in groups. The two most common group prayers (at church or prayer meetings) are the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
Both rosaries and chaplets can also be private devotions. We can pray with them during the free moments of the day. For example, some enjoy a rosary walk.
We can pray with them daily or at specific times. For example, parishioners often pray the Rosary before Mass, especially during May and October. The Divine Mercy Chaplet is popular during Holy Hour (3-4 pm) and the 9 days leading up to Divine Mercy Sunday.
- We can pray with them both privately and in groups.
- Rosaries & Chaplets can both be blessed.
3
Both Can Be Blessed
A priest, deacon, bishop, or the Pope can bless either a rosary or a chaplet. Once blessed, the beads become a sacred object meant for prayer (a sacramental). They are no longer just beads that can be made into a bracelet or thrown out if they break. What to do with them? A possible option is to arrange a repair or donate them. Even broken sections or loose beads can be donated to repair other rosaries or chaplets. We can respectfully bury or burn them if there is no other solution. Alternatively, we can also keep broken rosaries or chaplets on a prayer table.
4
Dual Benefits
When prayer beads are blessed, they become “sacramentals” and carry special blessings. Some approved prayers, like those with indulgences attached to them, can also benefit us. When we pray with blessed beads, whether a rosary or a chaplet, we benefit from the blessings of the prayers and those of the beads themselves.
- When the beads and prayers are indulgenced or approved, both the rosaries and chaplets have dual benefits.
In Conclusion
The Rosary is a type of chaplet. It is an indulgenced prayer, with special blessings. It usually takes about 15 minutes to pray.
Chaplets also enrich our prayer routines. There are chaplets for almost every need and devotion.
What is important is that we develop a routine of prayer. Prayer is at the root of our faith because it is our connection with God. St. Pio described prayer as the oxygen of the soul.
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CREDITS
The LOGO image of Our Lady of Grace is original artwork by Martin Lariviere in 2009. We have the artist’s permission (my son). It is our exclusive trademark logo image.
A beautifully photographed sky by Donald Tong inspired the website’s colour scheme. Cropped portions of it are the background for the footer Bible verse. He shared it as a free download on pexels.com.
Raphael painted The Sistine Madonna circa (1513-1514). We made circular cut-outs from the original image.
Our information is from general knowledge, experience, and shared internet resources. We ask that you use it as a starting point for your research so that you can verify facts and build a reference list.
IN REVIEW
Any set of beads used for prayer (including Rosaries) is technically a Chaplet. However, Rosaries and Chaplets are different from one another.
- The bead layout is usually different.
- The prayers are different.
What we call them is usually different, but it can be the same. For example, the 7 Sorrows Rosary is a chaplet. Even though it is called a “rosary”, it has different prayers and bead groupings.
- Chaplets have prayers for specific themes.
- The Rosary and some chaplets or chaplet prayers have Church approval, while others do not. For example, the Rosary is an indulgenced prayer with special blessings.
There are also similarities. For example, they can both be blessed.