A "tenner" is a single decade rosary. According to some traditions, tenners originated in Ireland, during the Penal times of the late sixteenth to early seventeenth centuries, when British rulers attempted to force Irish Catholics to accept Christian reform established by the Anglican Church. It is said that publicly displaying Catholic religious items during these times could result in stiff punishments from British authorities in Ireland, and therefore rosaries needed to be somewhat discreet. The Irish Penal tenner consisted of ten Aves (Hail Mary beads) and one Paternoster (Our Father bead) in a straight string. On one side, the tenner terminated with a ring that was moved from thumb to pinky finger in order to count out the decades. On the other end, the rosary had a short-armed cross, somewhat crude in its design, with symbols of the Passion of Christ.
Modern tenners come in two different styles, one being the traditional design of a straight strand, the other being a closed circle of ten Aves with a rosary center and either a traditional rosary tail (two Paternosters and three Aves) or a short tail with three Aves and a Paternoster. Both styles have a crucifix, and the straight strand style has either a ring or a medal on the other end. Another form of single decade rosary is the automobile rosary. Safety agencies often decry the safety of having long items hanging from the rearview mirror of automobiles, due to the damage they can cause if an accident occurs or if visibility is impaired. Our auto rosaries are designed to lessen these dangers by being shortened to a length that is more proportionate to a rearview mirror. They consist of a single decade of Aves, divided in the middle by a clasp and terminating with a traditional rosary tail. To access our online shop, please click "Purchase Information" above.
Modern tenners come in two different styles, one being the traditional design of a straight strand, the other being a closed circle of ten Aves with a rosary center and either a traditional rosary tail (two Paternosters and three Aves) or a short tail with three Aves and a Paternoster. Both styles have a crucifix, and the straight strand style has either a ring or a medal on the other end. Another form of single decade rosary is the automobile rosary. Safety agencies often decry the safety of having long items hanging from the rearview mirror of automobiles, due to the damage they can cause if an accident occurs or if visibility is impaired. Our auto rosaries are designed to lessen these dangers by being shortened to a length that is more proportionate to a rearview mirror. They consist of a single decade of Aves, divided in the middle by a clasp and terminating with a traditional rosary tail. To access our online shop, please click "Purchase Information" above.