Reflect on Scripture as you Pray the Rosary

Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur reviews a new book from Ave Maria Press that will help you focus as you pray the Rosary.

The Rosary is a beautiful prayer, one that Our Blessed Mother herself has asked us to pray. At its best, the Rosary is meant to be a time spent in prayerful meditation on the mysteries of the Rosary, events in the lives of Jesus and Mary. In reality, the repetition of the prayers often causes my mind to wander while I pray. If, like me, you have an internal voice that never stops talking and find it hard to meditate, The Ave Guide to the Scriptural Rosary may help you to keep your focus and lead you to a more meaningful prayer experience. If you are new to praying the Rosary, this book can help you learn to offer these prayers as a gift to Our Lady and her Son, Jesus.  

The Ave Guide to the Scriptural Rosary by Michael Amodei is a small hardcover book which could easily fit into a medium-sized purse to accompany you to church for a time of prayer. You could also keep it on a nightstand for use in the morning or at night to begin or end your day with the Rosary.  

It contains quotes from recent popes about the value of the Rosary. One of my favorites of those included is from Pope Francis: 

In the prayer of the Rosary we turn to the Virgin May so that she may bring us ever closer to her Son Jesus, so as to know and to love him more and more. This simple prayer, in fact, helps us to contemplate all that God in his love has done for us and for our salvation, and allows us to understand that our life is united to that of Christ. 

This book also contains a brief history of the Rosary, how to pray the Rosary, and the 15 promises of Mary to those who pray the Rosary. The bulk of this book, however, contains the twenty Mysteries of the Rosary and a Bible quote for each Our Father and Hail Mary. These quotes invite us deeper into the Mysteries of the Rosary and allow us to reflect in a meaningful way on the lives of Jesus and Mary. These Scripture passages can also help children to focus on the prayers. In a family of children who are able to read, they could take turns reading the passages. An appendix includes additional Marian prayers. 

The Rosary is one of my favorite prayers. I have prayed it in the car, on walks, and while doing dishes. I’ve counted the prayers on my fingers rather than using a set of rosary beads. Is it perfect? No. Does it still count as prayer? Yes. It isn’t always possible to set aside the time to have a meditative experience of prayer, especially in the busy years of motherhood. I encourage you to pray the Rosary whenever and however you can. However, The Ave Guide to the Scriptural Rosary can help increase your appreciation of the Rosary and your reflection on its Mysteries. If you can set aside the time to use it, even if it is only for a decade at a time, it will enhance your spiritual life.  

Ask for The Ave Guide to the Scriptural Rosary at your local Catholic bookseller, or order online from Amazon.com or the publisher, Ave Maria Press.

Copyright 2023 Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur
Images: Canva
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