Praying with an Olive Seed Rosary from Bethlehem

Olive Seed Rosary from Bethlehem

Psalm 52:8-9

8 But I am like a green olive tree
in the house of God.
I trust in the steadfast love of God
forever and ever.
9 I will thank you forever,
because of what you have done.
In the presence of the faithful
I will proclaim your name, for it is good.

We were in a large Palestinian shop on the outskirts of Bethlehem, making the standard souvenir stop on our way to the Church of the Nativity.  High up on one wall, near the ceiling, among the scores of rosaries for sale, there hung one that looked different from all the rest.  I asked the shopkeeper to get it down for me, and was instantly taken by it – made from olive seeds (well, seeds sounds better than pits, but it was the latter.)  It was my companion in prayer  in and around Jerusalem for the next week, as I touched it to these holy sites:

The Pool of Siloam
The Nativity Star, Grotto of the Nativity
St. Jerome’s Church, Bethany
The Church of the Ascension Footprint, Mount of Olives
Holy Innocents Altar, Bethany
Dungeon of Caiaphas, the “Shadow of Jesus”
Church of Mary, Martha, Bethany
The Tomb of Lazarus, Bethany
The Wall of Jericho
Qumran
Church of the Pater Noster
Church of the Holy Sepulchre – Stations 11-14, the Anointing Slab, Golgotha
Grotto of St. Helena – the True Cross
The Temple Mount
The Western Wall
Church of St. Anne
The Steps of the Temple
Tombs of the Pariarchs, Hebron
The Oak of Abraham, Mamre

Grotto of the Nativity – Traditional Birthplace of Jesus

For nearly 30 years this rosary has been with me. sometimes used in prayer, often resting in a special box for years. I have recently begun praying with it again, restoring it with rubbings of olive oil and oil of spikenard. As I hold it in my hands during times of silent prayer, I can feel the gentle stirring of holiness in the beads, a reminder of my visit to the Holy Land long ago, and the presence of Christ with me today in our little Chapel Under the Eaves.

~ Will, ObJN