The Anglican Rosary

AZ Turquoise chip rosary by Wendy Wetzel

While I was writing my undergraduate thesis I made contact with a lady from the US who had written her Master’s thesis on a similar subject. Over the period of my research and writting of my thesis Wendy and I came to be friends and shared a lot with one another; the good and not soo good of life.

A few years after I completed my thesis a few friends of mine and I decided to go and work in London. Apart from the some islands in the Pacific I had not done much travelling. On my way to the UK I decided to visit a few places I had always want to go. I also took the opportunity to see if I would meet up with my long time email friend Wendy in Arizona. Thankfully we were able to organise it.

While in Arizona Wendy took me to Sedona where we went to one of the most amazing chapels I have ever seen; the significance of which would not dawn until much later. While we played tourist visiting those places you need to see, like Sedona and the Grand Canyon, Wendy and I talked a lot about many things. We also spent some of our time looking at all kinds of jewelery made from local turquoise and about our mutual appreciation from Native American spirituality.

While in London I realised the significance of the chapel Wendy and I had visited in Sedona. Out front of the chapel was a figurine of St Francis. While in London, after series of related events (a reflection for another time), I decided to join the Society of Francis and returned to Australia.

It was during my novitiate that I began making Anglican Rosaries and shared that with Wendy. Prior to making my first profession in vows I received a wonderful gift from Wendy; a rosary made from chips of Arizona turquoise. I figured Wendy had seen this on our website and made one from that.

Her gift was very special to me. To me it represents several important things. It represents how we share a great connection with one another, how she listens to things in and about my life, my searching, my discernment of vocation, our mutual appreciation for Native American spirituality (notice the turquoise bear used for the invitatory bead).

Bear, Directional Protector (West), physical strength, leaderrship, also frequently mentioned as first helper, in creation/emergence stories.

It also reminds me of the support she has given me in many areas of my life and her willingness to be there for me at just the right moment. She has a special gift to know when I’m most needing affirmation that the life I have chosen if the one I was called to live.

Wendy’s special rosary encapsulate what I try and offer people during workshops. That is, prayer, however you understand it, is about being present. It is not about asking for things we want, but rather standing with people in the times we need to feel God’s presence the most. I give thanks often for the ways in which Wendy has been present in my life; her gift to me in this rosary shows us real prayer in action.

Sunrise, Sunset my dear Catcus flower, and many bug hugs.