Battle rosary, Miraculous Medal centerpiece and Saint Michael medallion

What is a combat rosary?

The combat rosary was born in the First World War, when the American army had sturdy rosaries made for its soldiers. They had to survive the mud of the trenches, sit in a pocket, and not break.

From that origin it keeps its form: metal rather than fragile beads, reinforced links, a plain look. The fight it accompanies today is an inward one — hardship, temptation, doubt, addiction, grief — but the object itself has not changed.

The three sacramentals on this rosary

The Miraculous Medal forms the centrepiece. Given to Saint Catherine Labouré in 1830 in the rue du Bac, it shows the Virgin crushing the serpent, hands open with rays streaming from them. It is the medal of trust and grace.

The medal of Saint Michael the Archangel goes with it. Leader of the heavenly host, Saint Michael has always been called upon in spiritual struggle, and the Church names him defender against evil.

The Pardon Crucifix closes the rosary. Approved by Pope Saint Pius X in 1907, it carries the invocation of pardon and reconciliation. It is a reminder that the Christian fight ends in mercy, not in victory.

A rosary made to last

This model is entirely metal, beads included. It measures 23 cm from the top to the centrepiece and 37 cm overall. Customers regularly remark on how solid it is: this is a rosary meant to be handled daily, pocketed, taken travelling, passed on.

If you would rather have something finer, we offer a combat rosary in 925 silver and hematite, and a Saint Michael combat rosary with a prayer booklet for those starting out.

How to pray a combat rosary

It is prayed like any rosary — sign of the cross, Creed, decades of the Hail Mary — but tradition adds an invocation to Saint Michael before beginning, and a kiss to the Pardon Crucifix at the end.

Many simply carry it on them, without praying it, as a reminder.

Who to give it to

It is one of the few devotional objects easily given to a man. It suits a confirmation, a departure, someone going through a hard stretch, or a serviceman, a firefighter, a nurse.

Our other models sit in the combat rosary category. See also our Saint Michael rosaries, our Miraculous Virgin rosaries and our Miraculous Medals.

Shipped from our shops in Lourdes.