The Anglican Rosary

For nearly 500 years, using prayer beads to guide an individual in his prayer rituals, have been part of the tradition of different groups more likely in the Christian world. One such kind of prayer beads is the Anglican rosary.

The Anglican rosary, also called Christian or ecumenical prayer beads, is a ring of beads which is used by Anglicans and other Christians to aid in their prayers. It was believed to be first used in the 1980s by Episcopalians.

The Anglicans are members of the Anglican Communion which is an international organization of different Anglican churches. This association of churches is in full communion with the Church of England with its primate as the Archbishop of Canterbury. There are estimated 80 million Anglican members around the world – the world’s third largest organizational communion.

Anglican rosary is considered as a new form of prayer, mixing the Catholic Rosary and the Prayer Rope. It was designed by Rev. Lynn Bauman in the 1980s during an Episcopal prayer group.

Unlike the Catholic rosary, the Anglican rosary consists of thirty three beads, which signifies the number of years that Christ had stayed on Earth. These beads are divided into four groups with seven beads each that signifies the seven days of God’s creation.

Each group of beads is called a week, unlike in the Dominican rosary which uses five groups of ten beads that are called decades. Cruciform beads are beads that can be found between four beads and are usually larger in size. They are called cruciform because when you open the bead loops, these beads form the four points of the cross. The invitatory bead can be found after the cross. During prayer, an Anglican begins while holding the cross or the invitatory bead. The beads that are used to make an Anglican rosary are usually made up of wood, semi-precious and precious stones, gold, sterling silver, glass and even seeds. The Celtic, San Damiano, Coptic or Peace crosses are usually found on an Anglican rosary.

The design of the Anglican rosary is a symbolism of a meditative prayer to many levels of Christian traditions. It is believed that our prayer is enriched by these beads which have the purpose of focus and concentration, allowing a Christian to pray with Divine presence.

Anglican rosaries are purposely utilized to guide an individual in different types of prayers and meditations. This type of rosary is being used by different Christians from various traditions and groups.

It is recommended to pray the rosary around the beads three times to symbolize trinity to allow the repetition to transform into a rhythmic and peaceful lullaby in order to attain peace of mind and heart and to be still and calm.

Some people call the Anglican Rosary as the rosary for all Christians. As the title suggests, this type of rosary can be used by Anglicans, Episcopals, Baptists and other Christians from different traditions and groups alike. This kind of rosary is believed to draw a deep and a different walk with God. Many people have great experiences while using this rosary in their daily prayer life.

Anglicans believe that when we use the rosary or prayer beads in our prayers, it brings us into a contemplative prayer which is deeper and getting us closer to God.