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[ Back to index of September articles ] Spiritual Life The
Anglican Rosary
The Anglican Rosary In the mid-1980s the Rev. Lynn Bauman, an Episcopal priest, developed a set of Anglican prayer beads with the help of his contemplative prayer group. This strand, known variously as the Anglican Rosary, Anglican Prayer Beads or the Christian Rosary, was inspired by the Marian Rosary of the Roman Catholics and the Orthodox prayer rope. It consists of 33 beads - one for each year of Christ's life and a multiple of the number three - for the Trinity. The beads are divided into four groups of seven called the Weeks. Between each set of seven beads is a single bead called the Cruciform, named because these four beads represent the four corners of the cross. The Weeks symbolize the seven days of creation, the temporal week, the seasons of the church year and the seven sacraments. The number seven is also significant in the Judeo-Christian tradition, where it represents spiritual perfection and completion. The four groups of beads represent the four seasons of the year. They also embody the four cardinal virtues of moral theology: prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance; the four cardinal directions: north, south, east and west; and the four primary elements: earth, water, wind and fire. A cross starts and finishes the strand, and an Invitatory bead leads into the prayer circle. How to use the beads: First, choose prayers for the cross and for each bead. Try to learn the prayers by heart. The prayers are not fixed - there is more than one set to choose from, and a selection can be found at http://www.kingofpeace.org/prayerbeads.htm. A sample prayer from this Web site is shown below. To begin, hold the Cross and say the prayer assigned to it. Next, move to the Invitatory bead. Enter the prayer circle with the first Cruciform bead on the right, then continue around the strand, saying the prayers assigned to each bead. Pray around the circle three times. Then remain silent, for a period of reflection and listening. Here is one sample prayer, but there are many others. You can also pray the beads online at http://www.kingofpeace.org/prayerbeads/trisagion.htm Sample prayer: Trisagion and Jesus Prayer
Saint day: Sept. 3 Symbol: Gregory is depicted
in full pontifical robes with tiara and double cross. A dove is his emblem,
from a story recorded by Peter the Deacon: A curtain was drawn between
Gregory and his secretary while he was dictating homilies on Ezekiel,
Peter wrote. When Gregory remained silent, the secretary peeked through
a hole in the curtain, and saw a dove seated on his head with its beak
between his lips. When the dove Time and place: born in Rome in about 540, died March 12, 604. Known for: The first monk to become pope, and one of only two popes to have the title "great" assigned to his name, St. Gregory is best known for his efforts to convert the English to Christianity and for his role in the creation of the musical worship now known as the Gregorian Chant. A prolific ecclesiastical writer, Gregory also earned the title "Doctor of the Church" for his doctrinal contribution. Illustration: St. Gregory at work. Burghley House/Bridgeman Art Library, London
“But Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today; …The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.’” Exodus 14:13-14
The Rev. Rona Harding, [ Back to index of September articles ]
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I have read that this was a favorite lesson of Abraham Lincoln. He turned
to it often in his life, first when his wife broke off their engagement
for the first time, later in the dark hours of the Civil War, and again
when his son died. I too have found that it has given me much solace and
patience in doing ministry, calming my fears, giving me courage to stand
firm in what I believe, yet waiting on the Lord in faith. This verse was
spoken by Moses when the Red Sea was splashing at his ankles, the army
of Pharaoh was thundering down upon him and his people were crying out
with fear. It reminds me whenever I am anxious, to be calm; surprising
solutions do come, and we are delivered into new land for God is with
us. “Be not afraid, be still, stand firm, and see the salvation
of the Lord will do for you today, the Lord shall fight for you, and give
you peace."