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There are thirty-three beads on an Anglican Rosary representing the thirty-three years of Jesus’ life. The Cruciform beads form the cross and can also represent the four compass points of the earth. The seven beads of the Weeks can represent the seven days of creation, the day of the Sabbath, and the number seven is often used in the Bible as symbolic of perfection. To enter into prayer there is an Invitatory bead (pronounced ĭn-vī'tə-tôr'ē), much like we say a collect at the beginning of our services to invite us into worship.  

The rosary can be prayed alone or with a group. It is recommended a person pray around the circle three times – a symbolic number for the Trinity. Doing so also invites you to go deeper as distractions fall away. When praying, the idea is to be unhurried and calm. The goal is not so much to finish, as to develop a rhythm in prayer. 

In general, the rosary is used in three basic ways: 

1. Repetition of the same prayer or devotion. 

2. Repetition of several different prayers in some pattern, sometimes interspersed with or accompanied by meditations whether spoken, silent or with music or chanting. 

3. Meditation on a series of spiritual themes.