BARCELONA, Spain, JUNE 28, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Two Catalans have invented a small electronic pocket rosary to encourage more people to pray.
“We have seen that our invention is liked by young people because of the contrast implied in applying electronics to something as old as the rosary,” explained Jaume Clavé, who invented the device with Joan Figueras.
The electronic rosary, which has been patented, is a small gadget like a key ring. On one side it has a picture of Pope John Paul II with the inscription “Rosarium Virginis Mariae,” as a tribute to what he did for the rosary, the inventors told ZENIT.
“Rosarium Virginis Mariae” was the 2002 apostolic letter on the rosary.
The rosary has a push-button that enables one to count the prayers automatically. After praying each Hail Mary, the push-button is pressed and there is a small vibration. When coming to the last Hail Mary of each mystery, the vibration is longer to indicate the end of the mystery.
At the end of the fifth mystery, the push-button is inhibited to indicate that the rosary has finished.
Clavé and Figueras said that their device is not meant to substitute the traditional rosary.
However, “in certain cases,” Clavé said, “it is much easier, more discreet and obviously calls for less concentration.”
“In general, it’s not easy to have a rosary in one’s hand,” he noted. As it “can be worn around the neck or put on a table, it leaves one’s hands free if one wishes to do some routine work. It is also very useful for trips and outings as it can be taken discreetly in one’s pocket.”
“Our intention is to encourage many people to pray the rosary, either in its totality or, as is frequently the case, just one mystery,” Clavé said.
