“The Use of the Rosary and Sister Brigit-Carol, a Solitary Who Makes Anglican Rosaries”

By Pastor Cindy Alloway

Thousands of years ago people began to carry or Thousands of years ago people began to carry or wear stones, beads, or knotted ropes for a physical wear 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 means which means “remembrancer” or “japamala” which means “repetition string of beads.”“repetition string of beads.”

The Muslim call their prayer beads “tashih” meaning The Muslim call their prayer beads “tashih” meaning “to praise God.” “to praise God.”

Tibetan Lamas call their prayer beads, “trengwa”, which Tibetan Lamas call their prayer beads, “trengwa”, which refers to the purr of a cat, releasing the mind into refers to the purr of a cat, releasing the mind into detachment and comfort.detachment and comfort.

Early Christian RosariesEarly Christian Rosaries

““Paternosters” was the Paternosters” was the name used, meaning: name used, meaning: “Our Father”. “Our Father”.

The word “Rosary” The word “Rosary” stems from “rose stems from “rose garden” symbolizing garden” symbolizing carrying a garden or carrying a garden or garland of prayers. garland of prayers.

The History of the Anglican The History of the Anglican RosaryRosary

Prayer beads offer a focal point, a way of keeping the mind Prayer beads offer a focal point, a way of keeping the mind still while praying. They allow prayer to be physical as well as still while praying. They allow prayer to be physical as well as mental. mental.

The Anglican Rosary is a relatively new form of prayer which The Anglican Rosary is a relatively new form of prayer which uses a blending of the Roman Catholic Rosary and the uses a blending of the Roman Catholic Rosary and the Orthodox Jesus Prayer Rope. The thirty-three bead design Orthodox Jesus Prayer Rope. The thirty-three bead design came from the Reverend Lynn Bauman of came from the Reverend Lynn Bauman of PraxisPraxis while in while in pastoral ministry during the mid '80s. This form of rosary pastoral ministry during the mid '80s. This form of rosary came into being through a process of prayerful exploration came into being through a process of prayerful exploration and discovery in the context of a contemplative prayer group.and discovery in the context of a contemplative prayer group.

    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 Legend has it that the Blessed Virgin gave the Rosary to Saint Dominic in the year

1214. 1214. The Rosary, because it is meditative and mantra-like, and because it brings alive to us The 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.the mystery of the Incarnation, has a high esteem in the prayer-life of each Dominican.

The number of beads and the way they The number of beads and the way they are worn differs from religion to religionare worn differs from religion to religion

In many religions, ropes and In many religions, ropes and beads are used in prayer with a beads are used in prayer with a sense of beseeching, making sense of beseeching, making the prayer more proactive.the prayer more proactive.

Repetition of the Christian Repetition of the Christian rosary prayers are to deepen rosary prayers are to deepen reflection on the sacred reflection on the sacred mysteries of God’s relationship mysteries of God’s relationship with us.with us.

Praying the rosary is thought to Praying the rosary is thought to make the gospel story more make the gospel story more accessible to everyone hungry accessible to everyone hungry for a daily connection to faith. for a daily connection to faith.

See: http://www.rosary-center.org/howto.htm

Miracle/Healing Prayer BeadsMiracle/Healing Prayer BeadsUsing Using Milagros:Milagros: “Miracle charms” “Miracle charms”

Milagros are small religious charms Milagros are small religious charms that people in Latin American that people in Latin American countries usually nailed onto sacred countries usually nailed onto sacred objects, pinned on the clothing of objects, pinned on the clothing of saint statues, or hung with little red saint statues, or hung with little red ribbons or threads from altars and ribbons or threads from altars and shrines as signs of gratitude and shrines as signs of gratitude and devotion. devotion. 

   Different milagros have different Different milagros have different

meanings and uses for seeking meanings and uses for seeking healing and help from God.healing and help from God.

The Ecumenical Prayer Rosary

A new way to use The Catholic Rosary

Website: ecumenicalrosary.org

The Eastern Orthodox Prayer The Eastern Orthodox Prayer RopeRope

To this day, Orthodox monks are To 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 or with a string of 103 knots or wooden beads.wooden beads.

The woolen prayer rope is worn The woolen prayer rope is worn on the left wrist as part of the on the left wrist as part of the monastic and Episcopal dress.monastic and Episcopal dress.

Theology of the Orthodox Prayer Theology of the Orthodox Prayer RopeRope

The Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on The Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." Historically these ropes have 103 knots, although me, a sinner." Historically these ropes have 103 knots, although prayer ropes with 50 or 33 knots can be found in use today. There prayer 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 certain is typically a knotted cross at one end, and a few beads at certain intervals between the knots. intervals between the knots.

It is attributed to It is attributed to SaintSaint PachomiusPachomius in the fourth century as an aid in the fourth century as an aid for illiterate for illiterate monksmonks to accomplish a consistent number of prayers to accomplish a consistent number of prayers and prostrations. Monks were often expected to carry a prayer and prostrations. Monks were often expected to carry a prayer rope almost constantly, to remind them to pray constantly in rope 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."

The New Anglican RosaryThe New Anglican Rosary An adaptive form of contemplative An 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 Testament for 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 the Repeat 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)

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 the Prayer, which moves around the wheelwheel of the Rosary, represents the of 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, and 2. Focus on the weight, and temperature, and texture of temperature, and texture of the beads. the beads.

3. Focus on communication 3. Focus on communication with God.with God.

Number Symbols in the Anglican RosaryNumber Symbols in the Anglican Rosary

The 33The 33 beads represent the number of years Jesus beads represent the number of years Jesus was on earth. was on earth.

4 4 groups of groups of 7 7 called called weeks weeks ; between each ; between each week week is is a single bead. The number a single bead. The number 44 represents the 4 represents the 4 quadrants of the church's year. quadrants of the church's year.

77 represents wholeness and completion as in the represents wholeness and completion as in the 77 days of creation. days of creation.

7 7 is repeated four times in the Rosary to create a is repeated four times in the Rosary to create a conventional conventional monthmonth. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, . In the Judeo-Christian tradition, 7 can represent spiritual perfection.7 can represent spiritual perfection.

Theology and Use of the Theology and Use of the Anglican RosaryAnglican Rosary

The use of the rosary or prayer beads helps to bring us into The use of the rosary or prayer beads helps to bring us into contemplative prayer to God by use of mind, body, and spirit. The contemplative prayer to God by use of mind, body, and spirit. The

touching of the fingers on each successive bead is an aid in keeping our touching of the fingers on each successive bead is an aid in keeping our mind from wandering, and the rhythm of the prayers leads us more mind from wandering, and the rhythm of the prayers leads us more

readily into stillness.readily into stillness.

Why Protestants have not had Why Protestants have not had Rosaries in the PastRosaries in the Past

The Reformation involved a strong antipathy to The Reformation involved a strong antipathy to things which had their origin in Papal teaching things which had their origin in Papal teaching including the rosary. including the rosary.

The ruling authorities under King Edward of The ruling authorities under King Edward of England declared, “prayer beads are vain and England declared, “prayer beads are vain and superstitious.superstitious.

In 1616, Thomas Atkinson was executed at York In 1616, Thomas Atkinson was executed at York for being identified as a priest based solely on the for 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.

Sample PrayersSample PrayersThe 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 O Lord, my strength and my

redeemer.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.

Gabriele Whittier, a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Bethlehem, says Gabriele 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.

Contemporary Solitary Prayer Contemporary Solitary Prayer Life Life

Solitaries of DeKovenSolitaries of DeKoven is a Religious non-profit organization in is a Religious non-profit organization in the the Episcopal Church Episcopal Church with a three fold purpose:with a three fold purpose:

1. To provide information and education concerning the Solitary 1. 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 persons 2. 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 those 3. To provide a vehicle of ministry and financial support of those called to the Solitary Religious life who live under vows as called to the Solitary Religious life who live under vows as Solitaries of DeKoven.Solitaries of DeKoven.

Sister Brigit-CarolSister Brigit-Carol

At present there is one Solitary Religious who has made At 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 under Carol, 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 prayer She lives as a hermit, spending her time in prayer including the Divine Office, contemplation, and including the Divine Office, contemplation, and intercession, study, and manual labor. Besides the intercession, study, and manual labor. Besides the normal domestic tasks involved in living a simple life in normal domestic tasks involved in living a simple life in an old army barracks-turned-hermitage, she makes an old army barracks-turned-hermitage, she makes Anglican Prayer BeadsAnglican Prayer Beads as a way to support herself and as a way to support herself and as a vehicle to intercessory prayer. as a vehicle to intercessory prayer.

Prayer for the Solitaries of DeKovenPrayer for the Solitaries of DeKoven

 Solitaries of DeKoven have as their patron Solitaries of DeKoven have as their patron Blessed James Blessed James DeKovenDeKoven, a deeply spiritual and courageous man who stood , a deeply spiritual and courageous man who stood against the tide of his times in the mid 1870's. It is his fierce against the tide of his times in the mid 1870's. It is his fierce

spirit of vocation and devotion to prayer that is the spirit of vocation and devotion to prayer that is the inspiration of the Solitary of DeKoven.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