About

Hello there! I’m Ali, the proud owner of Mater Dei Rosaries! Firstly, thank you so much for being here, your support means the world to me!

How it began…

Established in 2017, my rosary business endeavour began. At this time, I was finishing off a Bachelor of Teaching, and running a business was more or less something I did ‘on-the-side’. I always wanted to run a business and, for as long as I can remember, I’ve had an ingrained desire to create and produce beautiful things!

2018 rolled around, and I began teaching at a small school in rural South Australia. This undeniably required my full attention and my little ‘start-up’ fell to the wayside, but the yearning to create lay heavy on my heart.

When 2019 came along, so did a teaching contract for the entire year! This was inevitably more demanding than my first position, and my little business became more of a ‘side-hustle’. And it did quite well! My products found their way to my incredibly supportive customers within Australia and abroad! Then, in April 2019, most of my attention was directed toward wedding planning when my now husband proposed to me in the beautiful wine region of McLaren Vale. So, I was teaching, planning a wedding, moving out of my childhood home, buying a home… and running a small business. My husband and I wed six months after our engagement on a sunny November day!

2020 was without a doubt challenging for us all! Nonetheless, the deep longing to devote time to my business endeavours arose to the forefront of my mind, and, in true Ali-fashion, I wanted to do it all! Crochet, macramé, rosary beads, blogging… you name it! I sold rosaries, crochet and macramé earrings, and wrote a blog. This undertaking was doing reasonably well, but then in mid-2020 I landed myself a permanent teaching position and an increase in responsibilities. I was able to maintain my little business for some time but my attention was divided.

Fast-forward to March of 2021, we learnt of the biggest blessing of all! We were expecting our first child and the birth of our beautiful son put a halt on my teaching and my business. While the first few months with a new baby in the home were a whirlwind, I had much needed time to slow down, take a breath, spend time in prayer and reflection, and enjoy the blessings of motherhood. Though, the desire to create still niggled at my mind. So, in prayer, I asked the Lord how I could best use this passion and gift, and my attention was continuously directed towards the creation of rosary beads.

The name ‘Mater Dei Rosaries’ was placed on my heart, not only because I now share the experience of motherhood with the Blessed Mother, but mostly because the title of ‘Mother of God’ honours Our Lady to the highest degree. She is Our Lord’s resting place; the vessel through which he entered our world.

What sets us apart?

As Catholics, we know that seeking beauty, goodness and truth ultimately leads us to God. My aim is to produce beautiful rosaries to assist you in this endeavour; in your prayer life . However, growth in the spiritual life takes daily practice and is a lifelong journey, which means the prayer tools we use must stand the test of time. It is my goal to provide you with beautiful, strong and durable rosaries, which is why the rosaries I produce are threaded together with waxed cord.

My prayer and hope is that this growing business, started by a mother, will help to increase devotion and honour to Our Lord through the prayer given to us by His most Blessed Mother. In the words of St. Maximilian Kolbe, “never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.” And that is what I long to do.

Thank you again for being here. I am forever grateful.

God bless,
Ali xx