One Mother, One Family: A Scriptural Meditation on the Rosary with Worldwide Sacred Art

Betty Vertin reviews a book of Rosary meditations by Monica Shia Amparo.

One Mother, One Family: A Scriptural Meditation on the Rosary with Worldwide Sacred Art 

By Monica Shia Amparo

Publisher: Eastern Christian Publications

Monica Shia Amparo has complied a scriptural mediation on the Rosary to enhance your prayer life. 

One Mother, One Family: A Scriptural Meditation on the Rosary with Worldwide Sacred Art was created by Amparo to right three shortcomings she describes in the Acknowledgements of her book: lack of quality Scriptures, monolithic European art, and rigid bindings in which the book could not lay flat. 

Amparo’s book has beautifully mastered those three things. She presents the Rosary to the reader through selected Scripture, sacred art from around the world, and a spiral spine binding that allows it to lay flat. After presenting why and how to pray a Rosary, she introduces Mary to the reader. In these sections and every part of the book, she uses art, poetry and prayers to enhance the information provided. 

With the use of color-coded pages for each set of Mysteries, she presents them to the reader. Each individual Mystery is portrayed on two connected pages that when the book is laid flat are easy to see and read. On one side, sacred art has been selected and on the other, there are 10 Scripture verses printed. I enjoyed the fact that I could lay the book in front of me or next to me as I prayed and could easily see, read the Scriptures, and meditate on the picture. 

The sacred art alone would have been a beautiful addition to the Rosary. I especially was drawn to the art that included stained-glass windows. My eyes are always drawn to the windows when I pray at my church, and this book allows me to have that same experience from the comfort of home. However, the ten Scripture verses were impactful when read as I prayed. It keeps my heart and mind joined with the Mystery. 

This is a book intended to be an active part of your prayer experience. I used it that way and this will become part of my Rosary prayer life. An added benefit, however, is that I found myself continuing to pick it up when I was not praying to look at the art and read more about the artwork from the in-depth descriptions included in the book. 

This is a beautifully constructed book with easy-to-understand language. The sacred art is beautiful, and the prayers and poetry helped create a peaceful, prayerful experience. I recommend this meditation for all. 

Is this a book you'd like to read? Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles.

Copyright 2025 Betty Vertin
Images: Interior book image from Amazon.com; others Canva