About MeThe term Anglican Rosary popped up about 15 years ago. It has a very exclusive ring to it and that is sad because these prayer beads are a wonderful prayer tool.  Did you know that most major religions have prayer beads?  The word bead is derived from bid, as in bidding prayers.  Prayer beads help you focus on praying and when you carry them thoughout the day you become aware of the power of prayer.  You do not have to memorize prayers, you just hold them in your hands and talk to God.  Doesn't that sound simple and inviting!  How you pray with your prayer Beads is your choice. 

In the eighties a new version of the Roman Catholic Rosary was introduced by a former Episcopal Priest.  This new version is a blend of Orthodox Beads and Roman Catholic.  I make some of these beads.  They are distinguished by the San Damiano Crucifix or St. Francis Cross.  The second set of Prayer Beads below is a traditional Anglican Rosary.

These Prayer Beads have 33 beads, representing the number of years in the life of Christ.  The beads are divided into four groups of seven small weeks beads, separated by four larger Cruciform beads.  In addition, there is an Invitatory bead between the first cruciform bead an the Cross.

The symbolism of this arrangement is founded in theology.  The weeks beads may represent the days of the creation and hence the days of the week, the seasons of the Church year, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, or the seven last words from the Cross.  The four Cruciform beads represent the centrality of the cross in Christian faith, and may further represent the number of weeks in a month.  By praying the entire round of beads three times, we celebrate the Trinity.

Each set of Prayer Beads that I make represents about 3 hours of work. I try not to make identical sets of beads, because I would be very bored doing that.  I enjoy using natural gemstones, wood and recycled jewelry. Making these Prayer Beads is a ministry to me.  I am privledged to make an instrument of prayer.  My Prayer Beads have been purchased by people all over the world and I love hearing back from my customers.  I hear stories of prayers answered.  I try to keep my beads priced so that everyone can afford a set.  Most are under $20.00 and come with a pouch to keep them safe.  You can view my auctions by visiting http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=newbetschoice where all of my auctions are previewed.