!!!About the Anglican Rosary

!A blending of the prayer-bead tradition of the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, the Anglican Rosary was developed by the Rev. Lynn Bauman in the 1980s, the result of a contemplative prayer group.

The use of prayer beads has been a part of Christian spirituality from its earliest days.

The Anglican Rosary

proclaiming the gospel • healing the people • forming the saints

Evening Prayer

At the Cross !Leader O God, make speed to save us.!People O Lord, make haste to help us.!Together Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning is now and will be forever. Amen.!The Invitatory Bead !Together Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.!At the Cruciform Beads !(First time around) !O gracious Light,Pure brightness of the ever-living Father in Heaven,O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!!(Second time around) !Now as we come to the setting of the sun,And our eyes behold the Vesper light,We sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.!(Third time around) !You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,O Son of God, O Giver of Life,And to be glorified through all the worlds.!The Week Beads !(One line for each cycle) !Jesus, lamb of God, have mercy on us.Jesus, bearer of our sins, have mercy on us.Jesus, redeemer of the world, give us your peace.

The Anglican Rosary is made of 33 beads and consists of four parts: the Cross, the Invitatory Bead, the Cruciform Beads, and the Week Beads.

Praying the Anglican Rosary begins at The Cross. One grasps it and makes the sign of the cross while reciting the opening lines. From here we move to the Invitatory Bead, where we say the Invitatory sentence. After this follows the first Cruciform Bead.

The Cruciform Beads are so-called because the four of them together make the shape of the cross. These are the larger or uniquely-shaped beads. When we get to them we say a special prayer. In between the Cruciform Beads are the Week Beads. These are known by that name because there are seven of them (in the Roman Catholic Rosary, these are called “Decades” because there are ten).

The Anglican Rosary, when used corporately, is prayed through three times. This signifies the Holy Trinity. It also totals to one hundred beads, which is the number of knots in the Orthodox Prayer Rope. In this way, the Anglican Rosary joins the traditions of East and West into a unified tool for prayer.

A service for using the Anglican Rosary can begin with the reading of a passage of Scripture to serve as an anchor for prayer and reflection.

The repetition of the prayers is meant to draw one into a place of quiet contemplation, much like a mantra in meditation.

After the Rosary is finished, it is customary to sit in extended silence, listening for the voice of God.