Students Make Rosaries to celebrate Our Lady of the Rosary

I had to get creative this year with campus ministry activities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. I wanted to ensure that students can gather, but remain safe. Meredith Millin (Waynesburg ’22), an officer of the Waynesburg Newman Club, finds making rosaries relaxing. I asked her to share her talent this month and teach her classmates how to make cord rosaries. Meredith learned to do this on a retreat in high school and has found the practice calming and centering ever since.

During the activity, students remained socially distanced but felt united by working on an activity simultaneously. After Meredith showed us the process, we were able to each create our own rosary. It was apparent that Meredith had done this for years because she moved much quicker than the rest of us and her rosaries looked much more professional.  For others, it was a lesson in humility. There was a lot of laughter as we tried a new activity and each person took a rosary home at the end of the night. Many students took extra cord back to their dorm rooms with them so they can continue to practice.

As I pray the rosary this month, I offer each one up for the college students at the campuses where I work.  May they be inspired by Mary’s courage to say, “Yes,” when asked to navigate this difficult time with patience and grace.


Meredith Millin demonstrates how to make a rosary.


Newman Club President Jess Glover, ‘21, learns how to make a rosary.



Freshman Kellianne Shaub shows off her finished rosary.