Ambassador of the Rosary: The Prayerful Mission of Suganthi Rose

In the heart of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, faith is not merely a practice—it is a way of life. For Suganthi Rose, this spiritual journey began in a devout family where prayer, discipline, and trust in God shaped everyday living. These early foundations nurtured in her a deep love for the Catholic faith and a lifelong devotion to the Rosary.

Supported by her family and her husband, Jacob Jayaseelan, a civil engineer, Suganthi has dedicated herself to promoting Marian devotion through prayer and witness. Her commitment was recently recognised with a rare honour when Bishop Francis Kalist of Pondicherry named her an Ambassador of the Rosary.

In this conversation, Suganthi shares her spiritual journey, her remarkable Rosary collection, and her mission to spread devotion to the Blessed Mother.

From Hobby to Calling

Suganthi recalls that after completing her postgraduate studies, she developed hobbies such as collecting coins, stamps, and gemstones. Her husband’s involvement in church construction projects brought the family into close contact with priests and parishes. During these visits, she began receiving Rosaries as gifts, and what began as a simple collection gradually took on deeper spiritual meaning.

A turning point came in 2000, when Bishop Ambrose Mathalaimuthu of Coimbatore gifted her a gold Rosary that had originally been presented by Pope St. John Paul II. “I felt there was a divine plan behind it,” she says. “That moment inspired me to study the Rosary more deeply.”

Her search led her to acquire Rosaries associated with saints and different traditions from countries such as Israel, Egypt, and Italy. Over time, what began as a hobby became a vocation to spread devotion to the Rosary.

A Unique Collection

Today, Suganthi’s collection includes more than 10,000 Rosaries from around the world. Some were obtained through auctions, while others came through personal contacts and travels.

Among the rare pieces is a handcrafted “Catacomb Rosary,” traditionally associated with the relics of early Christian martyrs. She recounts how she once placed a high bid for it online, only to realise later that the amount was beyond her means. When she explained her situation to a priest connected with the auction, the Rosary was eventually gifted to her. “I experienced it as a moment of grace,” she says.

To support her collection, Suganthi chose to request monetary contributions instead of gifts on birthdays and anniversaries. With the support of her family, she used those savings to acquire rare Rosaries from several European countries.

The Rosary Museum

As her collection grew, Suganthi preserved the Rosaries in wooden boxes at home. A visit from a priest associated with Madha TV led to the idea of documenting the collection. Sixteen half-hour episodes featuring the Rosaries were later broadcast, drawing significant public interest.

With the increasing number of visitors, the family created a dedicated space for the collection, named Madhavin Manigal (“Beads of Mother Mary”). The Rosary Museum was inaugurated on November 14, 2016, by Bishop Thomas Aquinas of Coimbatore.

The museum features Rosaries made from a wide variety of materials, including seeds, flower buds, glass, shells, and precious stones. Some contain stones from the Holy Land, while others are linked to specific devotions such as the Sorrows of Mary, the Joys of St. Joseph, the Holy Spirit Rosary, and the Holy Face Rosary. It also houses Rosaries released by the Church for major events such as canonisations and Jubilee celebrations, as well as the electronic “eRosary” introduced during the pontificate of Pope Francis.

One particularly moving section displays Rosaries handcrafted by cancer patients, who created them as an expression of faith amid suffering.

Experiences of Faith

Suganthi speaks of several spiritual experiences connected with her ministry. She recalls praying for a visiting French priest using the Rosary of St. Gemma Galgani, patron saint of those suffering from spinal ailments. According to her, the priest later reported significant improvement after medical evaluation. “Moments like these strengthen my faith in the power of prayer,” she says.

Spreading Devotion

With the encouragement of Church authorities, Suganthi began organising Rosary exhibitions across Tamil Nadu. Since 2016, more than 300 exhibitions have been held, reaching over one lakh people. Through these events, she seeks to inspire families and young people to rediscover the Rosary.

She also shares reflections and information about Rosaries through the Madhavin Manigal YouTube channel.

The Spiritual Message of the Rosary

For Suganthi, the Rosary is more than a devotional object—it is a path to Christ. “Though the Rosary is dedicated to Mother Mary, it leads us to meditate on the life of Jesus,” she says. “Through its mysteries, we learn faith, humility, and love. The Rosary brings peace and healing to both the soul and the body.”

Despite occasional criticism, she remains steadfast in her mission. “The Rosary has the power to draw hearts back to God,” she reflects. “That is the grace I have witnessed again and again.”

Through her prayer, witness, and unique collection, Suganthi Rose continues to inspire many to rediscover the beauty and strength of the Rosary in daily life.

By Catholic Connect Reporter