Praying the Rosary: A Journey through Scripture and Art

by Denis McBride

Fr Denis McBride, CSsR, takes a fresh look at the Rosary in this beautifully illustrated book. Through the four sets of mysteries he takes us on a leisurely journey through twenty episodes in the lives of Jesus and Mary, offering us prayerful insights on the way. The format for each decade is first there is a reading from scripture, which is followed by a reflection on the passage; a painting is also included which offers its own take on the subject, accompanied by a brief reflection; finally there is a prayer on some aspect of the mystery. Focusing on a scriptural understanding of the mysteries, this prayerful book will prove a sure companion for everyone who loves the Rosary.

Genres: Prayer

144 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 17, 2014

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of the many Rosary books I’ve prayed/read, Praying the Rosary, a Journey Through Scripture and Art ranks first for its unique artwork and yet the reflections are no less exceptional. Of the twenty pieces of art selected—mostly paintings, but also a sculpture, a relief and a stained-glass window—there were only two I was familiar with, Matthias Grünewald’s, Crucifixion, the centerpiece in the Isenheim Altarpiece, a perfect portrayal of the Fifth Mystery of the Rosary and Antonio Ciseri’s, Ecce Homo, for the third. Grünewald’s work is a study in horror; Ciseri’s is the epitome of realism and beauty.

The other pieces of art were startling and arresting by turns; a reason to make one eager to pray.

Another feature of this book is a brief explanation of the chosen pieces of art and how each reveals hidden aspects of the Biblical scene, for the devotional enrichment of the reader-pray-er.

The author mentions at the beginning of the book how his mother with her ‘refined sympathetic imagination’ got him “to see” more deeply into the scenes of Sacred Scripture, saying to him ‘once about the parable of the Prodigal Son: “Yes, but how would you feel about it all if you were the calf. You’d hardly be cheering the returning son, would you?” Her instinct was always to go to the margins of the story; look and listen; then look again.

This deep listening and then further opening up of ‘the mystery’ of the Mystery makes this a book which you will be able to use multiple times drawing fresh ‘Living Water’ repeatedly.

Outstanding!