Religion: Patent-of-the-Liturgical-Year

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U. S. patent No. 2,187,664 was granted to John L. Rogers of Hazleton, Pa., for a mechanical rosary which counts prayers by means of a push button.

Roman Catholic position: Such a gadget is harmless but not efficacious, in the same class as a prayer ring (which has ten notches so that the wearer may count his prayers). Indulgences (i.e., remissions of temporal punishment for repented sin) will not be granted for any number of push-buttoned prayers.