Service Times
- 8am Holy Communion
- 10.00am Sung Eucharist
- 6.00pm Evensong
- Plus daily services
St Peters is a church within
the Anglo-Catholic tradition
that believes in a daily
communion service
The Church is open daily
for private prayer
between 9am and 5pm
Click for service schedule
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The history of the Angelus
In view of the discussion that arose at the AGM concerning the saying of the Angelus at the end of Sung Eucharist on Sundays at St Peter’s, I felt the following might be helpful. (Fr. Peter)
The Angelus is a devotion commemorating the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. It consists of several short prescribed verses, three recitations of the "Hail Mary," and a brief concluding prayer. Traditionally accompanied by the ringing of the Angelus bell, it is said three times daily. The devotion takes its name from the first word of the Latin version. It is the subject of a famous painting, The Angelus by the French artist Jean Franois Millet; the canvas depicts farmers pausing in their field chores to pray.
Although the Angelus is a specifically Catholic devotion it is in fact prayed by many other Christians in various parts of the world. It dates back to the 13th century. In 1269, St. Bonaventure recommended that Catholics should imitate the Franciscan custom of reciting three Hail Marys when the bell rang each evening for prayer. Of course the call to prayer takes place throughout the day and officially the Angelus is said by many at 6 am., 12 noon and 6 pm.
Although the complete prayer incorporates the Hail Mary it does in fact focus on the Incarnation of Christ which is shared by all Christians and the citations in the prayer are taken from the Bible. In many ways it is akin to the Rosary where the focus is not on the words of the Hail Mary but the Blessed Mysteries.
By praying in such a way one is consecrating the day to God and His glorious plan of salvation. Many are not able to say the Divine Office which is time consuming and requires the facility of Prayer Book. The Angelus is simple to learn and can be said anywhere. It can indeed be said on the move, standing or walking or even driving.
K Andrews
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