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The configuration of the Anglican Prayer Beads relates contemplative prayer using the Rosary to many
levels of traditional Christian symbolism. Contemplative prayer is enriched by these symbols whose
purpose is always to focus and concentrate attention, allowing the one who prays to move more
swiftly into the Presence of God.
The prayer beads are made up of twenty-eight beads divided into four groups of seven called weeks.
In the Judeo-Christian tradition, the number seven represents spiritual perfection and completion.
Between each week is a single bead, called a cruciform bead as the four beads form a cross.
The invitatory bead between the cross and the wheel of beads brings the total to thirty-three,
the number of years in Jesus’ earthly life.
To begin, hold the Cross and say the prayer you have assigned to it, then move to the Invitatory Bead. Then enter the circle of the prayer with the first Cruciform Bead, moving to the right, go through the first set of seven beads to the next Cruciform bead, continuing around the circle, saying the prayers for each bead.
It is suggested that you pray around the circle of the beads three times (which signifies the Trinity) in an unhurried pace, allowing the repetition to become a sort of lullaby of love and praise that enables your mind to rest and your heart to become quiet and still.
Praying through the beads three times and adding the crucifix at the beginning or the end, brings the total to one hundred, which is the total of the Orthodox Rosary. A period of silence should follow the prayer, for a time of reflection and listening. Listening is an important part of all prayer.
Begin praying the Anglican Prayer Beads by selecting the prayers you wish to use for the cross and each bead. Practice them until it is clear which prayer goes with which bead, and as far as possible commit the prayers to memory.
Find a quiet spot and allow your body and mind to become restful and still. After a time of silence, begin praying the prayer beads at an unhurried, intentional pace. Complete the circle of the beads three times.
When you have completed the round of the prayer beads, you should end with a period of silence. This silence allows you to center your being in an extended period of silence. It also invites reflection and listening after you have invoked the Name and Presence of God.
The following ending can be used with any of the prayers listed here.
After three circuits around the prayer beads, you may finish as follows:
Last time through:
The Lord’s Prayer
I bless the Lord.
Or, in a group setting:
Let us bless the Lord
Thanks be to God.
Once you become familiar with using the Rosary as a tool for prayer and meditation
you might like to write your own prayer ‘formula’.
You might like to use the same prayer for each type of bead (invitatory, cruciform, week) or use a
different prayer on each type of bead (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th cruciform for example).
You may also like to use of a combination of written prayers and meditative chants such as those
of the Taize community.
St. Matthew’s does not offer prayer beads for sale over the internet, though Anglican Prayer Beads are
widely available. There are many options to choose from when searching at Google. We recommend that
you look at the Anglican Prayer Beads made by the Solitaries of DeKoven as this will support these
Anglicans in their religious vocation. Their address is:
SOLITARIES OF DEKOVEN
VIGEAT RADIX HERMITAGE
1101 County Road 204 | Santa Anna, Texas, U.S.A. 76878
| Email Us at info@solitariesofdekoven.org
Perhaps the most fulfilling option is to make your own set. It is quite easy. You need a cross, and either
five larger beads and 28 smaller ones. Or the cross with one large bead in one style, four large beads in
a second style and 28 smaller beads.
Thread both sides of the strand coming from the cross through the first two large beads. Then on each side,
string seven smaller beads, a larger bead and seven smaller beads again. You will have used all but the final
larger bead. Put both of the two strands together again, and add the last bead, then tie off with a knot,
and cut the string close to the knot. You’re done. Looking at a picture of the beads as you string your
own set will make these directions easier to follow.
The Anglican Rosary is made up of a “Cross” and a total of 33 beads; 1 “Invitatory” Bead, 4 “Cruciform” Beads and 4 groups of 7 “Week” Beads. The design is rich in symbolism reminding the user of key tenets of Christian faith and tradition.
The total number of beads is 33, the number of years of Christ’s life on earth, reminding us that Jesus is the source of our faith.
The “Cross” recalls the saving grace of God; that God acts in our lives to bring us into the Kingdom of God.
The “Invitatory” bead calls us to prayer; to pray without ceasing.
The four “Cruciform” beads form the shape of a cross, again reminding us of the centrality of Christ in our lives. They also refer to the four points of the compass, the four elements, and the four seasons of the year. Thus we recall our connection with God, the earth, creation and Jesus’ great commission to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
The seven “Week” beads represent the seven days of creation, the days of the week, the seasons of the liturgical year and the seven sacraments of the church. Again we recall our connection with God, the creator of all that is. We are also reminded that prayer is the centre Christian life; in our daily prayers and in the liturgy and sacraments of the church.
The circular nature of the Rosary formed by the “Cruciform” and “Week” beads remind us of the sense of completeness or wholeness that one gains from a deep relationship with God which is achieved through our personal prayer life, and through our communal prayer life with the church.
