Parents who don't get it

[Slartibartfast]

Originally posted by OnyxCougar
OK< I asked my epicopalian friend and she told me the words, so now I have a more specific question about the rosary. I know that there are 10 beads, then one bead, then 10 beads, then one bead. There are 5 sets of ten, then on the bottom there is a "father bead" then 3 mary beads then a father bead.

Is there a different or special significance to the lower beads?

The rosary is more than just saying the prayers on each bead.
Every set of ten small beads has a 'mystery' associated, and one is supposed to meditate on its significance as one says the prayers. You say the words -which once you know them is almost automatic- but you pray over the religious theme. That stops the rosary from just being a repetition of the same words over and over, which is what some detractors say it is.

It's sort of a form of prayer multitasking.