Rosary Collection Recognized in 'BOOK OF RECORDS'

  •   Wed, Nov 19 2025
  •   By Ivan Saldanha-Shet

November 19, 2025

Sabu Caiter, his wife Benetta, son Francis Aghil, (of Ernakulam, Kerala, India) have for years dedicated efforts to collect and display in many places, a wide unimaginable range of rosaries particularly and other Catholic holy objects. A few days ago they bagged a place in ‘ASIAN BOOK OF RECORDS World Record’ and were presented with a certificate. The actual Image of the Certificate follows:

The contents of the certificate says: ‘Collection of Rosaries in the World. This is to certify that Mr. Sabu Caiter, along with his wife Benetta and son Francis Aghil, is the holder of the World’s Largest Rosary Collection, comprising 103,000 unique rosaries from 107 countries across the globe. The collection, initiated in a moment of spiritual inspiration, has grown into a lifelong mission of devotion, culture, and unity. Since 2007, this extraordinary family has shared their sacred collection through over 300 exhibitions held in churches and venues across India, spreading the message of faith and the beauty of the rosary’.

This remarkable achievement reflects years of dedication, spiritual commitment, and the shared passion of a family united. Asia Book of world record. This is to proudly certify that Sabu Kaiter, born in Kochi, Kerala, has achieved a remarkable and spiritually significant milestone at the age of 59 year by being recognized for maintaining the Largest Rosary Collection (103000 Rosaries). This extraordinary collection stands as a symbol of deep faith, devotion, and a lifelong commitment to preserving spiritual heritage.

This inspiring accomplishment reflects not only his unwavering dedication but also his unique contribution to the preservation and celebration of religious tradition. In recognition of this exceptional achievement, his name was officially confirmed and registered in the Asian Book Of World Records on October 17, 2025, under the Unique Collections Category, honouring his devotion and remarkable record. ASIAN BOOK OF RECORD.

Indeed this is positively an exceptional achievement and people need to be aware and admire this inspiring feat in times when the trend is only for materialism, wealth and fame. Let us look at a report of one exhibition of the rosaries in Mangaluru, Karnataka India in 2017; this gives a basic insight into the details of collection, display and so on, pictures too are attached:

An exhibition of the rarest of the rare holy rosaries, used world over by Roman Catholics, in thousands from all parts of the globe is sure a thrilling experience to behold. A unique exhibition of more than 100,000 rosaries and related religious articles with essential information was on display at the Rosario Cathedral Cultural hall, Mangalore, witnessed by me as well years ago. It was the talk of Mangalore coastal areas and was later staged in many places around this region. Material and motivation came from a Keralite enthusiast and dedicated collector Sabu Caiter and family who were very present and interacting with delighted visitors who poured in.

‘Rosary’ is a chain of beads used by Catholics in a string of prayers dedicated to Mary, the Mother of Christ Jesus. The word Rosary means ‘Crown of Roses’, indicating a crown of prayers. The rose is the queen of flowers, and so the Rosary is the rose of all devotions and it is considered a most important prayer. In 1569, the Dominican Pope Pius V, officially established the devotion to the rosary in the Catholic Church. The Holy Rosary is considered a solemn prayer because within it lies the awesome story of our salvation. Many say it often, and it is said that rolling the rosary beads between the fingers can remove anxieties and calm the mind and body. The year 2018 was dedicated to the Rosary by the Universal Church.

Sabu Caiter Family: Hailing from Kerala, the story of this rare collector of rosaries and mementos is well on the way to becoming a legend. He solemnly proclaimed at every turn, the exhibition aims to motivate people to increase the practice of family prayer and the use of the Holy Rosary and devotion to Mother Mary.

Sabu Caiter's passion goes back nearly 50 years, he just entered his teens, when his grandfather passed away. At the grave site, young Sabu emotionally collected the rosary that was placed on his grandfather's body. Sabu mentioned that he was keen to have something as a memento of his grandfather. Little did he realise that it would create a passion for rosaries. Of course, it helped that both his parents were avid rosary collectors. Soon, Sabu excelled and when relatives and friends abroad asked him what he wanted, he always said, “A rosary that is different.” As a result of his constant effort his collection now is a wonder, with every rosary different from the other.

The collection grew rapidly after he received two rosaries at Velankanni. His collection consists of rosaries gifted to Sabu by Popes, Bishops, Cardinals, Priests, Nuns, relatives and from his friends across the globe and grows rapidly. . He has been fortunate enough to be gifted with rosaries used by Saint Mother Teresa, which she gave him in person. Rosaries made of gold, silver, ruby and emeralds are in his possession. A rosary costing about 5 lakhs, made in Singapore with white gold and red diamonds is the costliest. His prized possession includes a rosary given to him by Pope Francis. His request to Pope Francis for a rosary, brought also special blessings from the Pope, not only in the form of the Rosary which he wanted but also a rare Holy Cross, a memento and a letter by the Pope, for Sabu's commendable work - this definitely serves as his most powerful motivator.

His wife Benetta and son Francis Aghil are also contributing to the collection, he added. Sabu, who has a stock market background, felt that the blessings in the form of rosaries matter to him a lot. His collection, in that way, is priceless, he added. He also has a collection of statues, relics, old documents, literature and so on.

Rarest of the Rare: The exhibition carries at least 15,000 certified rosaries. There are also Holy Rosaries from Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Fatima and Lourdes. Rosaries made out of rubber, wax, stone, Crosses, one of Rudraksha' exclusive Indian origin. Many impressed recorded their comments in the visitor's books kept at the venue. The visitors were made up from all walks of life, of all ages, even a few elderly in wheel chairs were seen. Each rosary is different in colour, size, design, material and other things. Some were special from the point of their antique value; there are 800 such old rosaries. Three hundred are from Vatican City alone, most are Italian made.

Sabu has organised this exhibition in Karnataka region for the first time in 2017, this is definitely a springboard to him he mentioned and will visit this region more often. He later took it to some places in Mumbai and surroundings, which was appreciated by many. He said he has displayed his rosary collection in Bengaluru and Mysuru, apart from many places in Tamil Nadu and Kerala and the first one in Mangaluru (2017) which was the 125th major edition at that point in time. He has displayed parts of his collection in at least 150 churches for short durations.

Here are rosaries flowing, blessed by Saints, St John Paul the second and Mother Theresa. It also has nearly 400 statues of Mother Mary in different shapes and 100 Crosses, nearly 700 other statues and 400 Relics- all collections of Sabu, a layman. Our readers will recall that others too have started to follow and have achieved something - in particular at this point we recall Fr Ivan Madtha, of Mangaluru, who lost his arm in a train accident too as a side line of his retreat preaching and other religious activities has and displays Rosaries and religious objects around Mangalore and other places. Caither’s exhibition is intended to help the devotees understand the rosary more and use it; to others it is to know. His family has dedicated itself to organise such exhibitions across the country free of cost. He says that he wants a large number of people to come and patronize this Expo, he still is given rosaries by many.

Some of the rosaries are even made of tulsi leaves, coir, and olive wood. His most astonishing rosary is one in which there are a thousand beads. A friend from Kerala made it especially, and this Rosary is special for the Caither family. An ardent devotee of Mother Mary, having prayed more than a lakh times using this rosary. Mother Mary means everything to this family. The most unusual rosary is the one made in the USA. It is called, ‘Unborn Child’. Each bead represents Mother Mary’s tears for aborted children,” said Benetta. In 2002 Pope John Paul II introduced the Luminous Mysteries, in an Apostolic Letter on the Rosary, Rosarium Virginis Mariae.

Pope John Paul II had said that Rosary was his favourite prayer, we also need to follow in his footsteps and say Rosary daily and gain many blessings. At the end of the exhibition in Mangaluru, 5 Karnataka Bishops, Dr Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Bangalore, Dr Francis Serrao SJ Bishop of Shivamogga, Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza then bishop of Mangalore, Bishop Lawrence Mukkuzhy of Beltangady and Bishop Jerald Lobo of Udupi, felicitated the admired Sabu and family. Indeed there is no doubt that such displays and expositions can aid prayer, peace and harmony in world civil society, asserts Sabu. Don't miss the chance to see this collection sometime.
By Ivan Saldanha-Shet
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Title: Rosary Collection Recognized in 'BOOK OF RECORDS'



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