I strongly recommend the book "The Rosary Prayer by Prayer" by Mary K. Doyle. Mary is a dear friend and former classmate in St. Mary of the Woods College's Masters program in Pastoral Theology. This is a great book to give people that are just now learning about this wonderful prayer. Because of the beauty of the illustrations, scriptural reflections for each mystery, and historical information about the development of this precious prayer, this is also a good book for people that are experienced with the Rosary. I had the opportunity to recently talk with Mary about her book...
Mary, what gave you the idea to write about the rosary? "Five years ago I began visiting Marian shrines and bringing back rosaries from the sites. I found a great desire for these rosaries. People would call and email me requesting one and then carefully select the perfect rosary. They would tell me about their experiences with Jesus and our Holy Mother. They would tell me of personal experiences they had but had never told anyone else. Some would even cry....
I never could have imagined such a reaction would result from the rosaries. But what surprised me most of all was that, although everyone wanted a rosary, few knew how to pray it. And those who did pray the rosary were looking for more information about its importance and especially the mysteries. Only about one percent knew all of the mysteries including the Luminous."
Did you try teaching them how to pray? "At first I would teach people how to pray by showing them on the beads. But they would later tell me they still did not understand. I bought pamphlets and booklets and handed them out. Still, people would tell me they did not understand. I then made my own little booklets and instruction sheets. Those booklets kept growing and growing until I realized I had to design and publish this book.
"The Rosary Prayer by Prayer" presents the rosary in a format that easily flows page by page. The background information on the rosary and reflections on the mysteries are powerful and insightful. Scripture verses are included with all but one of the 20 mysteries. Related information and resources also can be found in the index. In addition, stunning artwork by Joseph Cannella offers a visual on which to focus when meditating on the mysteries and Scripture. "
How can people order a copy? "The Rosary Prayer by Prayer" is being simultaneously released in hard and soft cover. The hardcover edition is $26.95 (ISBN: 09677449-3-8) and paperback is $19.95 (09677449-4-6). Copies can be obtained by order from all finer bookstores or Amazon.com.
If you would prefer, you may order directly from the publisher, 3E Press, 1764 Fargo Blvd., Geneva, IL 60134. Please pay in US dollars on checks or money orders drawn on a US Bank and include a flat rate of $5 for shipping and handling no matter how large the order. For more information, please contact 3E Press at 3epress@sbcglobal.net. "
I found the contemporary art of this book, done by Mary's son, touching and inspiring. The step by step format of the book allows beginners to easily follow along. My mother and sisters will be receiving a copy for Christmas. I encourage you to support Mary in her efforts to spread the love and use of this beautiful and powerful devotion. Mary is also author of "Mentoring Heroes", published in 2000, which is used in corporate and university mentoring and women’s studies programs.
Technorati Tags: Catholic, Rosary, Spirituality
Comments