Anglican Rosary: Personent Hodie

Personent hodie voces puerulae - 

On this day earth shall ring with the song children sing -

This Anglican rosary is based on the wonderful medieval Latin carol traditionally sung by boys. It became a particular favorite of my older son, Gregory, when he was a young chorister. He told me just recently that at the time, he had no idea what the words meant--he just loved the way the carol sounded. I make this rosary each year at Christmastime. It's especially appropriate this year since Gregory and his wife are about to become parents for the first time.

The Anglican rosary is made of vintage (1950's) fine Venetian millefiori beads about 8mm in size. This year's Venetian beads are a great deal finer and more delicate than the 1970's versions I have used in former years which are no longer available to me. These beautiful beads have a red ground, which makes them very festive. The Invitatory and Cruciform beads are simple rounds of shiny 10mm black onyx.

The cross of this Anglican rosary is recast in bronze from an original that dates back to the Renaissance. It is called a "Five Wounds" cross because its circles depict the Five Wounds of Christ. I have also heard it called the "Pilgrim's Cross." This Anglican rosary is one of a kind.