Our Lady’s Psalter: Reflections on the Mysteries of the Traditional Rosary

Kathie Scott-Avery shares her appreciation for Father Robert I. Bradley, S.J.’s informative and inspirational reflections on the Rosary. 

Our Lady’s Psalter: Reflections on the Mysteries of the Traditional Rosary

By Father Robert I. Bradley, S.J.
Published by Angelico Press

We seek Him in the same way He sought us: through the mediation of a creature He chose — Holy Mary, the Woman who ‘humanized’ God! And so we pray: "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners." (from the Introduction) 

Family history has it that Fr. Robert I. Bradley, S.J., author of Our Lady’s Psalter: Reflections on the Mysteries of the Traditional Rosary, gave his first sermon while “celebrating Mass” at age three. Pulling from keen personal observations and budding spiritual prowess, he preached to family and friends at length — about the misbehavior of his siblings! That early inclination to combine careful study, dedication to holiness, and targeted messaging was refined through years of preparing for then living out his vocation. A priest for nearly 60 years, Fr. Bradley was frequently sought out as a professor, chaplain, spiritual advisor, and writer.  

His collection of Rosary reflections provides one example of why. The essays are borne of his devotion to the Holy Trinity, with the Blessed Mother as both companion and guide, using the prayer that honors her and invokes her intercession. His writing is scholarly, profound, poetic, and accessible — all at once.  

What to Expect in This Book 

In these meditations, Father Bradley walks through every Hail Mary bead of the three original Mysteries, pausing at each to share insights from his vantage point. (Father Bradley had hoped to share meditations for the Luminous Mysteries as well, but he did not live long enough to fulfill that desire.) For instance, focused on the Annunciation of the Joyful Mysteries, Father Bradley addresses Mary’s unique purity, writing in part:

This predestination of Our Lady was primarily to provide the one creaturely factor in the mystery of "God with us" — the Word Incarnate, Our Lord Jesus Christ.  

Overall, the book is structured in accord with the normal pattern of the Rosary’s decades. Each section begins with the announcement of the Mystery: Joyful, Sorrowful, or Glorious. A turn of the page reveals the First Mystery, including a sketch of that scene. Each of the next ten pages — one for every bead of that decade — introduces a theme in the page’s title, followed by a pertinent quote from Scripture, and then four or five paragraphs in which Father Bradley shares perspectives that inspire deeper reflection. At the completion of that decade, the next page introduces the Second Mystery, then ten pages of reflections for that decade, and so on. 

It may be tempting to jump directly into the Mysteries, but instead, take time to peruse the foreword, preface, afterword, and especially the introduction.  

The first three provide short but delightful biographical glimpses of Father Bradley by people who knew him well. The introduction, however, draws us into his definitive devotion to Our Blessed Mother and to the Rosary, as it is primarily a transcript of a sermon he gave, with notes incorporated from a course handout he prepared. Some minor updates to the introduction were also provided after Father Bradley’s death by his niece and long-time editor, Dr. Betty B. Borsage, O.S.F. In addition to discussing the significance of this devotion in Church history, Father Bradley explains how the Rosary is not only a prayer of petition, but also of meditation, and, higher still, of contemplation. Armed with his insights, our prayers are expanded and elevated.  

Reaping the Benefits 

While, typically, all five decades of the Rosary are prayed in one sitting, doing that with all the accompanying reflections for each decade would be 50 pages of reading. That may be the ideal, and it is one of the things that makes this bead-by-bead book particularly unique and enriching, but it can be daunting for a busy mom. Nonetheless, reading along, bead by bead, savoring the sequential unpacking of each Mystery is a treat. If time can be carved out of the daily or weekly routine, great; if not, the book would be wonderful company for Adoration or a retreat.  

And there are other methods for taking in Father Bradley’s written treasures as well. For instance, portions can be done over the course of a day, week, or whatever timeframe works. Another possibility is to use this book similarly to how many other inspiring reads are digested: studying a page or more a day, reading the reflections as independent essays, without necessarily praying the Rosary at that moment. This approach also would be conducive to a book club or study group.  

In Our Lady’s Psalter: Reflections on the Mysteries of the Traditional Rosary, Father Robert Bradley provided reflections to inform and inspire. Whatever one’s schedule permits — all in one sitting or spreading it out — absorbing the wisdom of the reflections is bound to enrich one’s appreciation of and connection with Mary and, as she always leads us, with Christ. 

Ask for Our Lady's Psalter at your local Catholic bookseller, or order online from Amazon.com or the publisher, Angelico Press.

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Copyright 2025 Kathie Scott-Avery
Images: (top) detail from cover