Consider the lilies

St Cuthbert's Day!

I think St Cuthbert will always remind me of a youth pilgrimage I helped to lead about a decade ago. We had a wonderful few days on Lindisfarne, including several periods searching for 'Cuddy's beads' on the beach. (More about them here - Cuddy's beads )

The larger ones that are found often have small holes in them, so they can be strung together.
I have two favourite ways of stringing beads together - have you encountered both?

Two forms of prayer beads, or rosaries:

Rosaries are one way to immerse ourselves in short prayers or passages of scripture, allowing the words to help us to focus on God.

Prayer beads, as an intentional form of spiritual marinade, have been used for centuries to help people centre their minds and lives on God, and so grow in holiness.

Rosaries are intended for use deliberately, and meditatively. Take time noticing the feel of the beads you choose to use. Let each bead and prayer be an anchor for your attention as you bring the whole of yourself, and your life, before God.

The Anglican Rosary 

The Anglican rosary is split into four groups of seven beads called ‘weeks’ (recalling the seven days of the week, and also the seven days of creation). They are separated by four Cruciform beads (which form a cross shape). From the cross, the first bead, is the Invitatory bead – it invites us into the circle. Altogether there are 33 beads, symbolising the years of Jesus’ life on earth. Many verses of scripture can be used – a few are selected here.

1.     In the name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

2.     O God, whose son is the good shepherd, grant that when we hear his voice we may know him and follow where he leads. Amen.

3.     Either:

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless God’s holy name.                         (Ps 103.1)

Or:

The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose… For we are God’s servants, working together.                                                       (1 Cor 3.8-9)

4.     Either:

        Come Lord Jesus, draw us to yourself     (John 12.32)

       

        Or:

You are my refuge and my stronghold, my God in whom I put my trust.                                 (Psalm 91.2)

2.     The Lord’s Prayer (below)

1.     The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirt be with us all evermore. Amen.

The Traditional Rosary

The traditional rosary is used with a set of ‘Mysteries’. They may be a set of Scriptural verses to meditate upon, or can be used for particular themes, such as thanksgiving or discernment. The 'Joyful mysteries' are included here.

1.     In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the

Holy Spirit. Amen.               Then - The Apostles’ Creed

2.     The Lord’s Prayer

3.     The Hail Mary - one each bead

4.     The Gloria Patri, then one of the Mysteries (take each in turn), then The Lord’s Prayer

5.     The Collect for the Feast of the Annunciation

Gloria Patri

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

The Joyful Mysteries

1.     The Annunciation – Mary’s visit from Archangel Gabriel to say she was going to give birth to Jesus. (Luke 1.26-38)

2.     The Visitation – Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist. (Luke 1.39-56)

3.     The Nativity – The Birth of Jesus. (Luke 2.1-20)

4.     The Presentation – At the temple, Simeon recognises the baby Jesus as the Messiah. (Luke 2.22-35)

5.     The Finding in the Temple – As a boy, Mary and Joseph lose Jesus, finding him in the temple – ‘his father’s house’. (Luke 2.41-52)

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy

kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us, not

into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the

kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.

Amen.

The Collect for the Feast of the Annunciation

Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

♫
Music today...how about this? It also reminds me of Lindisfarne:
O God, you search me and you know me
♫


[Images show an anglican and a traditional rosary]