--- title: "The Illustrated Rosary: The Life of Christ in Prose" description: Lindsey Mitzel reviews a children’s book of meditations on the Rosary written by Dominique Morelli and illustrated by Anna Morelli. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20260428%20LMitzel%201.png --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/the-illustrated-rosary-the-life-of-christ-in-prose#) [BOOKS](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/books) # The Illustrated Rosary: The Life of Christ in Prose Apr 28, 2026 7:00:00 PM  |  by [Lindsey Mitzel](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lindsey-mitzel) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20260428%20LMitzel%201.png) *Lindsey Mitzel reviews a children’s book of meditations on the Rosary written by Dominique Morelli and illustrated by Anna Morelli.*   --- ## [*The Illustrated Rosary: The Life of Christ in Prose*](https://diocesan.com/product/the-illustrated-rosary-the-life-of-christ-in-prose-by-dominique-morelli-and-anna-morelli/)   By Dominique Morelli; illustrated by Anna Morelli  Published by Diocesan [The Illustrated Rosary: The Life of Christ in Prose](https://diocesan.com/product/the-illustrated-rosary-the-life-of-christ-in-prose-by-dominique-morelli-and-anna-morelli/) is a beautiful Rosary meditation book for kids. Written by Dominique Morelli and illustrated by Anna Morelli, this Rosary guide, written especially for kids, is lyrical, whimsical, and thought-provoking.   ![Illustrated Rosary cover](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Illustrated%20Rosary%20cover.jpg?width=1000&height=1320&name=Illustrated%20Rosary%20cover.jpg)   The book begins with a short guide on how to pray the Rosary. It contains meditations for all the Mysteries of the Rosary, including the Luminous Mysteries. Each meditation spans two pages and includes a Scripture verse reference. The meditations are written in prose and clearly spring from the author’s own contemplations. The readability of these meditations is simply refreshing, and the artwork is also stunning. The illustrations are full of understandable emotion, nature-based colors, and simple details. The water-color artwork draws your eye into the characters present, and little details throughout: Saint John the Baptist noticing the dove of the Holy Spirit in the sky while he baptizes Jesus, the understanding-knowing-delighting in smile of Mary as she holds a servant close while gazing at Jesus in the Wedding at Cana, the crumpling body of Jesus being crowned with thorns with roses scattered at His feet, and the darkened sky and moon when Jesus is crucified. These details, reverently added, all invoke the Lord to speak to the hearts of those meditating with this book. ![Illustrated Rosary Cover+Annunciation-Spread](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Illustrated%20Rosary%20Cover+Annunciation-Spread.jpg?width=2030&height=1000&name=Illustrated%20Rosary%20Cover+Annunciation-Spread.jpg)     ## My Favorite Meditations I think one of my favorite meditations is from the Ascension of Jesus. > And as Jesus was > Thus taken from view, > The Apostles gazed > With sorrow anew; > ‘Till angels appeared > With joy to thus say, > “Jesus will return > Again in this way!”     In this meditation, Jesus is pictured rising to Heaven with the most gloriously eager look on His face. Wounds visible, arms outstretched, He is looking toward His Father, seemingly excited beyond our knowing to embrace Him again. Below, a disciple is stunned, another looks to be ready to join Jesus (hoping, perhaps, to be assumed into Heaven that very moment). Another disciple presses on his heart. The clouds burst forth in glorious light and invoke a strong desire to follow Jesus and be with Him and His Father forever.   The meditation on Mary’s Assumption has many similarities. > “Come now, my loved one,” > Jesus beckoned low > With arms outstretched toward > His mother below; > “Death shall not touch thee, > Who, on Satan trod, > And who raised with love > Your savior and God!” Here, Mary is pictured flying up toward Heaven with arms ready to embrace her Son. Adorable angels look at her as she gazes upward. A man, feet firmly planted on earth, looks down into what looks to be Mary’s grave. I like how this meditation leaves open-ended exactly what happened when Mary was assumed into Heaven.   One aspect of this Rosary meditation book that my kids really appreciated was how positive the illustrations are. Rather than feeling melancholy when reading through this book, one feels uplifted! Even more tragic meditations breathe love. Jesus’ heart for us is truly present in the writing and gorgeous artwork.   I highly recommend this book of meditations of the Rosary for young children. Older elementary or middle-schoolers can pray with this on their own, and younger children will appreciate looking at the pictures. It would make a lovely First Communion gift as well!   ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20260428%20LMitzel%20BOOK.png?width=1080&height=1350&name=20260428%20LMitzel%20BOOK.png)     Ask for The Illustrated Rosary: The Life of Christ in Prose at your local Catholic bookseller, or order online from the publisher, [Diocesan](https://diocesan.com/product/the-illustrated-rosary-the-life-of-christ-in-prose-by-dominique-morelli-and-anna-morelli/).   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 2026 Lindsey Mitzel Images: Diocesan [![Download your free copy of the Family Rosary Companion](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/interactive-191472074503.png) ](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLI4NaCxpMfiRLZeaQdgjcyvtnBRyNhNxYL1CEU9oWGG%2Bse9omymwtOrffZDjhmY8%2FE4c7yjptkWCYkJe98EnR7V04TJtf6Re903%2FLtXGvz19pBmaeyETLqEWV3DacjHxR5zOzsMrojgwYZi4gOODCFeJcMZhUh5bvADSf8QqgkRoFwZ3Zw0BIYIl0%2BADIwnFa1hOR0xCB5bCsP4pooHIa0DtqOVV%2BqWh51JfXY%3D&webInteractiveContentId=191472074503&portalId=275132) ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fthe-illustrated-rosary-the-life-of-christ-in-prose%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fthe-illustrated-rosary-the-life-of-christ-in-prose%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fthe-illustrated-rosary-the-life-of-christ-in-prose%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=The%20Illustrated%20Rosary%3A%20The%20Life%20of%20Christ%20in%20Prose) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fthe-illustrated-rosary-the-life-of-christ-in-prose%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fthe-illustrated-rosary-the-life-of-christ-in-prose%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Lindsey Mitzel](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Lindsey%20Mitzel.jpg) ### [Lindsey Mitzel](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lindsey-mitzel) Lindsey Mitzel is a nurse practitioner and mom to six littles. When not homeschooling or driving her kids to various places, she enjoys gardening, hiking, and running. Lindsey appreciates dry humor, a good pun, and coffee. You can read more about her at [Eight and a Half Months](https://eightandahalfmonths.wordpress.com/). Lindsey also occasionally writes for [Be Love Revolution's Tiny Thoughts](https://www.beloverevolution.com/) blog. ## Related Blog Articles [ Wait for It Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2017/02/03/wait-for-it) [ Why Don't You Trust Me? Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/why-dont-you-trust-me) [ We Are God's Image in the World Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/we-are-gods-image-in-the-world) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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