This presentation was used in my church as an adult educational seminar to help congregants understand the use of prayer beads for a study on the impact of prayer on resilience.
1. “The Use of the Rosary
and Sister Brigit-Carol,
a Solitary Who Makes
Anglican Rosaries”
By Pastor Cindy Alloway
2. Thousands of years ago people began to carry orThousands of years ago people began to carry or
wear stones, beads, or knotted ropes for a physicalwear stones, beads, or knotted ropes for a physical
reminder and connection to Godreminder and connection to God
The word bead comes from the Old English word bede,The word bead comes from the Old English word bede,
which means “prayer”, or “bidden to pray.”which means “prayer”, or “bidden to pray.”
The ancient Sanskrit name for prayer beads is “smarani”The ancient Sanskrit name for prayer beads is “smarani”
which means “remembrancer” or “japamala” which meanswhich means “remembrancer” or “japamala” which means
“repetition string of beads.”“repetition string of beads.”
The Muslim call their prayer beads “tashih” meaningThe Muslim call their prayer beads “tashih” meaning
“to praise God.”“to praise God.”
Tibetan Lamas call their prayer beads, “trengwa”, whichTibetan Lamas call their prayer beads, “trengwa”, which
refers to the purr of a cat, releasing the mind intorefers to the purr of a cat, releasing the mind into
detachment and comfort.detachment and comfort.
3. Early Christian RosariesEarly Christian Rosaries
““Paternosters” was thePaternosters” was the
name used, meaning:name used, meaning:
“Our Father”.“Our Father”.
The word “Rosary”The word “Rosary”
stems from “rosestems from “rose
garden” symbolizinggarden” symbolizing
carrying a garden orcarrying a garden or
garland of prayers.garland of prayers.
4.
5. The History of the AnglicanThe History of the Anglican
RosaryRosary
Prayer beads offer a focal point, a way of keeping the mind stillPrayer beads offer a focal point, a way of keeping the mind still
while praying. They allow prayer to be physical as well as mental.while praying. They allow prayer to be physical as well as mental.
The Anglican Rosary is a relatively new form of prayer which uses aThe Anglican Rosary is a relatively new form of prayer which uses a
blending of the Roman Catholic Rosary and the Orthodox Jesusblending of the Roman Catholic Rosary and the Orthodox Jesus
Prayer Rope. The thirty-three bead design came from thePrayer Rope. The thirty-three bead design came from the
Reverend Lynn Bauman ofReverend Lynn Bauman of PraxisPraxis while in pastoral ministry duringwhile in pastoral ministry during
the mid '80s. This form of rosary came into being through athe mid '80s. This form of rosary came into being through a
process of prayerful exploration and discovery in the context of aprocess of prayerful exploration and discovery in the context of a
contemplative prayer group.contemplative prayer group.
6.
The recitation of the Rosary has long been associated with the Dominican Order.The recitation of the Rosary has long been associated with the Dominican Order.
Legend has it that the Blessed Virgin gave the Rosary to Saint Dominic in the year 1214.Legend has it that the Blessed Virgin gave the Rosary to Saint Dominic in the year 1214.
The Rosary, because it is meditative and mantra-like, and because it brings alive to us theThe Rosary, because it is meditative and mantra-like, and because it brings alive to us the
mystery of the Incarnation, has a high esteem in the prayer-life of each Dominican.mystery of the Incarnation, has a high esteem in the prayer-life of each Dominican.
7. The number of beads and the way theyThe number of beads and the way they
are worn differs from religion to religionare worn differs from religion to religion
In many religions, ropes andIn many religions, ropes and
beads are used in prayer with abeads are used in prayer with a
sense of beseeching, makingsense of beseeching, making
the prayer more proactive.the prayer more proactive.
Repetition of the ChristianRepetition of the Christian
rosary prayers are to deepenrosary prayers are to deepen
reflection on the sacredreflection on the sacred
mysteries of God’s relationshipmysteries of God’s relationship
with us.with us.
Praying the rosary is thought toPraying the rosary is thought to
make the gospel story moremake the gospel story more
accessible to everyone hungryaccessible to everyone hungry
for a daily connection to faith.for a daily connection to faith.
See: http://www.rosary-
center.org/howto.htm
8.
9. Miracle/Healing Prayer BeadsMiracle/Healing Prayer Beads
UsingUsing Milagros:Milagros: “Miracle charms”“Miracle charms”
Milagros are small religious charmsMilagros are small religious charms
that people in Latin Americanthat people in Latin American
countries usually nailed onto sacredcountries usually nailed onto sacred
objects, pinned on the clothing ofobjects, pinned on the clothing of
saint statues, or hung with little redsaint statues, or hung with little red
ribbons or threads from altars andribbons or threads from altars and
shrines as signs of gratitude andshrines as signs of gratitude and
devotion.devotion.
Different milagros have differentDifferent milagros have different
meanings and uses for seekingmeanings and uses for seeking
healing and help from God.healing and help from God.
11. The Eastern Orthodox PrayerThe Eastern Orthodox Prayer
RopeRope
To this day, Orthodox monks areTo this day, Orthodox monks are
given the "Chotki" or "Vervitsa"given the "Chotki" or "Vervitsa"
which is a woolen or leather cord,which is a woolen or leather cord,
with a string of 103 knots orwith a string of 103 knots or
wooden beads.wooden beads.
The woolen prayer rope is wornThe woolen prayer rope is worn
on the left wrist as part of theon the left wrist as part of the
monastic and Episcopal dress.monastic and Episcopal dress.
12. Theology of the Orthodox PrayerTheology of the Orthodox Prayer
RopeRope
The Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy onThe Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on
me, a sinner." Historically these ropes have 103 knots, althoughme, a sinner." Historically these ropes have 103 knots, although
prayer ropes with 50 or 33 knots can be found in use today. Thereprayer ropes with 50 or 33 knots can be found in use today. There
is typically a knotted cross at one end, and a few beads at certainis typically a knotted cross at one end, and a few beads at certain
intervals between the knots.intervals between the knots.
It is attributed toIt is attributed to SaintSaint PachomiusPachomius in the fourth century as an aidin the fourth century as an aid
for illiteratefor illiterate monksmonks to accomplish a consistent number of prayersto accomplish a consistent number of prayers
and prostrations. Monks were often expected to carry a prayerand prostrations. Monks were often expected to carry a prayer
rope almost constantly, to remind them to pray constantly inrope almost constantly, to remind them to pray constantly in
accordance with Saint Paul's injunction in I Thessalonians 5:17,accordance with Saint Paul's injunction in I Thessalonians 5:17,
"Pray without ceasing.""Pray without ceasing."
13. The New Anglican RosaryThe New Anglican Rosary
An adaptive form of contemplativeAn adaptive form of contemplative
prayer.prayer.
Daily PrayerDaily Prayer
Cross/Crucifix:Cross/Crucifix:
Lord's Prayer (New Testament or BCP 364)Lord's Prayer (New Testament or BCP 364)
Invitatory Bead:Invitatory Bead:
A Collect (BCP 159-261)A Collect (BCP 159-261)
Cruciform Beads:Cruciform Beads:
A Prayer or Thanksgiving (BCP 814-841)A Prayer or Thanksgiving (BCP 814-841)
Week Beads:Week Beads:
for each bead say line from a Psalm (Old Testamentfor each bead say line from a Psalm (Old Testament
or BCP 585-808)or BCP 585-808)
Repeat the Cruciform and Week Beads full circle theRepeat the Cruciform and Week Beads full circle the
exit with . . .exit with . . .
Invitatory Bead:Invitatory Bead:
Confession (BCP 360)Confession (BCP 360)
Cross/Crucifix:Cross/Crucifix:
Lord's PrayerLord's Prayer
[Close with a period of silence][Close with a period of silence]
(BCP = Book of Common Prayer)(BCP = Book of Common Prayer)
14. The circle of the Anglican Rosary symbolizes the wheel of time.The circle of the Anglican Rosary symbolizes the wheel of time.
Prayer, which moves around thePrayer, which moves around the wheelwheel of the Rosary, represents theof the Rosary, represents the
Christian's spiritual pilgrimage through time following Christ as Lord.Christian's spiritual pilgrimage through time following Christ as Lord.
With the Rosary in your hand:With the Rosary in your hand:
1. Empty thoughts1. Empty thoughts
2. Focus on the weight, and2. Focus on the weight, and
temperature, and texture oftemperature, and texture of
the beads.the beads.
3. Focus on communication3. Focus on communication
with God.with God.
15. Number Symbols in the Anglican RosaryNumber Symbols in the Anglican Rosary
The 33The 33 beads represent the number of years Jesus wasbeads represent the number of years Jesus was
on earth.on earth.
44 groups ofgroups of 77 calledcalled weeksweeks ; between each; between each weekweek is ais a
single bead. The numbersingle bead. The number 44 represents the 4 quadrantsrepresents the 4 quadrants
of the church's year.of the church's year.
77 represents wholeness and completion as in therepresents wholeness and completion as in the 77
days of creation.days of creation.
77 is repeated four times in the Rosary to create ais repeated four times in the Rosary to create a
conventionalconventional monthmonth. In the Judeo-Christian tradition,. In the Judeo-Christian tradition,
7 can represent spiritual perfection.7 can represent spiritual perfection.
16. Theology and Use of theTheology and Use of the
Anglican RosaryAnglican Rosary
The use of the rosary or prayer beads helps to bring us into contemplativeThe use of the rosary or prayer beads helps to bring us into contemplative
prayer to God by use of mind, body, and spirit. The touching of the fingers onprayer to God by use of mind, body, and spirit. The touching of the fingers on
each successive bead is an aid in keeping our mind from wandering, and theeach successive bead is an aid in keeping our mind from wandering, and the
rhythm of the prayers leads us more readily into stillness.rhythm of the prayers leads us more readily into stillness.
17. Why Protestants have not hadWhy Protestants have not had
Rosaries in the PastRosaries in the Past
The Reformation involved a strong antipathy toThe Reformation involved a strong antipathy to
things which had their origin in Papal teachingthings which had their origin in Papal teaching
including the rosary.including the rosary.
The ruling authorities under King Edward ofThe ruling authorities under King Edward of
England declared, “prayer beads are vain andEngland declared, “prayer beads are vain and
superstitious.superstitious.
In 1616, Thomas Atkinson was executed at YorkIn 1616, Thomas Atkinson was executed at York
for being identified as a priest based solely on thefor being identified as a priest based solely on the
fact that he was carrying a string of beads.fact that he was carrying a string of beads.
18. Sample PrayersSample Prayers
The CrossThe Cross
Our Lord’s PrayerOur Lord’s Prayer
The CruciformsThe Cruciforms
Oh, Lamb of God that takethOh, Lamb of God that taketh
away the sins of the worldaway the sins of the world
have mercy upon us,have mercy upon us,
Oh, Lamb of God that takethOh, Lamb of God that taketh
away the sins of the worldaway the sins of the world
have mercy upon us,have mercy upon us,
Oh, Lamb of God that takethOh, Lamb of God that taketh
away the sins of the worldaway the sins of the world
give us Thy Peace.give us Thy Peace.
The InvitatoryThe Invitatory
Let the words of my mouthLet the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heartand the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in you sight,be acceptable in you sight,
O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14Psalm 19:14
The WeeksThe Weeks
Almighty and merciful Lord,Almighty and merciful Lord,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
bless us and keep us. Amen.bless us and keep us. Amen.
19. Gabriele Whittier, a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Bethlehem, saysGabriele Whittier, a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Bethlehem, says
using prayer beads helps her focus, which brings her closer to God.using prayer beads helps her focus, which brings her closer to God.
20. Contemporary Solitary PrayerContemporary Solitary Prayer
LifeLife
Solitaries of DeKovenSolitaries of DeKoven is a Religious non-profit organization inis a Religious non-profit organization in
thethe Episcopal ChurchEpiscopal Church with a three fold purpose:with a three fold purpose:
1. To provide information and education concerning the Solitary1. To provide information and education concerning the Solitary
Religious life within the Episcopal Church.Religious life within the Episcopal Church.
2. To provide information and encouragement to those persons2. To provide information and encouragement to those persons
desiring to seek more solitude and prayer in their daily lives.desiring to seek more solitude and prayer in their daily lives.
3. To provide a vehicle of ministry and financial support of those3. To provide a vehicle of ministry and financial support of those
called to the Solitary Religious life who live under vows ascalled to the Solitary Religious life who live under vows as
Solitaries of DeKoven.Solitaries of DeKoven.
21. Sister Brigit-CarolSister Brigit-Carol
At present there is one Solitary Religious who has madeAt present there is one Solitary Religious who has made
a commitment as a Solitary of DeKoven. Sister Brigit-a commitment as a Solitary of DeKoven. Sister Brigit-
Carol, SD is Solemnly Life Professed, and is underCarol, SD is Solemnly Life Professed, and is under
vows to the Bishop of the Diocese of Northwest Texas.vows to the Bishop of the Diocese of Northwest Texas.
She lives as a hermit, spending her time in prayerShe lives as a hermit, spending her time in prayer
including the Divine Office, contemplation, andincluding the Divine Office, contemplation, and
intercession, study, and manual labor. Besides theintercession, study, and manual labor. Besides the
normal domestic tasks involved in living a simple life innormal domestic tasks involved in living a simple life in
an old army barracks-turned-hermitage, she makesan old army barracks-turned-hermitage, she makes
Anglican Prayer BeadsAnglican Prayer Beads as a way to support herself andas a way to support herself and
as a vehicle to intercessory prayer.as a vehicle to intercessory prayer.
22.
23.
24. Prayer for the Solitaries of DeKovenPrayer for the Solitaries of DeKoven
Solitaries of DeKoven have as their patronSolitaries of DeKoven have as their patron Blessed JamesBlessed James
DeKovenDeKoven, a deeply spiritual and courageous man who, a deeply spiritual and courageous man who
stood against the tide of his times in the mid 1870's. It isstood against the tide of his times in the mid 1870's. It is
his fierce spirit of vocation and devotion to prayer that ishis fierce spirit of vocation and devotion to prayer that is
the inspiration of the Solitary of DeKoven.the inspiration of the Solitary of DeKoven.
Blessed Lord, we thank you for calling people throughout the ages to serve you in
a special vocation of solitude and prayer. Bless the Solitaries of DeKoven, the
Companions, and all who seek you in silence and solitude with your peace. Be
present to them in their lives and work, and bless all that come into contact with
them. Gather us, we pray, into a spiritual community of humble hearts drawn
closer and closer in bonds of affection through a common goal of devotion and
vocation as envisioned by our patron, Blessed James DeKoven. This we pray
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
