The History of the Combat Rosary™
Did you know the U.S. government used to issue rosaries to soldiers upon request? In 1916, the U.S. military commissioned durable pull-chain rosaries for soldiers serving in WWI. Men clung bravely to these rosaries in the trenches of warfare, storming heaven for courage and hope in the darkest of times.
In 2006, Father Richard Heilman, a parish priest in the diocese of Madison, Wisconsin, founded the Knights of Divine Mercy, an apostolate to help men grow in spiritual strength and embrace the rich traditions of the Catholic Church. As Father sought to equip the Knights with strong tools of faith, he was inspired by the original WWI 1916 U.S. military-issue ‘service rosary’.
Inspired by Saints and Soldiers
Based on the antique original, Father designed the Combat Rosary™ to inspire a new generation to take up the supernatural weapons of faith and grow in heroic virtue like the saints and soldiers before them. As soldiers carried their rosaries onto the battlefield, imploring the protection of Our Lord and Our Lady, the Combat Rosary™ is a reminder to the faithful to seek peace and strength through prayer, in all life’s daily battles.
“I didn’t want to make an exact replica of the original. I wanted to respect the original that way. Instead, I wanted to make one based on the original, but well suited for us warriors – the Church Militant – to do full-on spiritual warfare. It was time to choose the most powerful medals and crucifix. I wanted it to be a powerful supernatural weapon, so I picked the Miraculous Medal and added the St. Benedict Medal as well and then … the Pardon Crucifix. It’s the only one that if you carry or kiss it, you receive an indulgence.” (Fr. Heilman as cited in Legatus, May 2020).
As demand for The Combat Rosary™ grew, Father reached out to family members for help producing and distributing the rosary, while he remained focused on his ministry.
Why the ‘Combat’ Rosary™?
The rosary was named, and remains, the original, authentic, Combat Rosary™. Its name pays honor to the armed forces who carried the original service rosaries into physical combat, seeking peace and protection through prayer; and it continues to call the faithful to wield the powerful prayer of the rosary in spiritual combat against temptation and sin as they strive to maintain peace through prayer. Countless popes and saints have pointed to the power of the rosary as an effective prayer for peace in the battle against satan and sin.
“The Rosary is a powerful weapon to put the demons to flight and to keep oneself from sin… If you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes, and in your country, assemble each evening to recite the Rosary. Let not even one day pass without saying it, no matter how burdened you may be with many cares and labors.” (Pope Pius XI)
The Swiss Guard Receives the Combat Rosary
On the 100th year anniversary of the original 1916 WWI pull chain ‘service rosary’, Father Heilman gave Combat Rosaries™ to approximately 150 new recruits of the Pontifical Swiss Guard. The Guard commander graciously accepted the gift, stating the Combat Rosary™ was “the most powerful weapon that exists on the market … Literally, the rosary for the fight.”
Stacked with sacramentals including the Pardon Crucifix, Miraculous Medal, and St. Benedict Medal, the Combat Rosary™ is now available in several versions, including the St. Joseph Strong Combat Rosary™, Our Lady of Guadalupe Combat Rosary™ and Patriotic Combat Rosary™, among others. Made with study pull-chain beads that are difficult to tangle or break, and available in gun-metal, sterling silver or antique bronze, the Combat Rosary™ is built tough for the battle of prayer.
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