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Bead by Bead: The Scriptural Rosary
Our Mother Mary implores us to pray the Rosary—but why does Mary want us to pray the Rosary? Meggie chronicles her journey from an active avoidance to a deep love of the Rosary as she shares the meditation aids and techniques that—together with her insights as to why Mary wants us to pray the Rosary—have redefined her relationship with the Rosary. A chapter is devoted to each of the four Mysteries of the Rosary containing Scripture for each bead of the Rosary, beautiful color artwork for each of the 20 decades by artists such as Raphael, Murillo, Rubens, and many others. "Bead by Bead" includes a concise history of the Rosary, from its earliest beginnings to the present day. A tutorial is included for those new to this devotion and an appendix with helpful resources for those who wish to dig deeper into Catholic theology, Mariology, apologetics, spiritual growth, lectio divina, and writings of the saints.
This book is a must read for those who pray Rosary but desire more vivid meditations and, also, for those who struggle to stay awake and focused. For those who suffer through the Rosary fighting monotony and boredom, this book is a life-changer! And for those who remain mystified as to why anyone would pray the Rosary—find out why in “Bead by Bead.”
This book is a must read for those who pray Rosary but desire more vivid meditations and, also, for those who struggle to stay awake and focused. For those who suffer through the Rosary fighting monotony and boredom, this book is a life-changer! And for those who remain mystified as to why anyone would pray the Rosary—find out why in “Bead by Bead.”
- GenresCatholic
134 pages, Paperback
First published May 15, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 2, 2017
In my rather pedestrian prayer life the Rosary has always existed in one of two realms. The first usually a desperate petitioning of divine intercession recited alone in the face of a usually scary life changing event. The second, an evocative,comforting chant-like megaprayer recited in community with common intention. Meggie K. Daly reveals an entirely different dimension of the Rosary as an intimate meditation with the Mother of God around the transcendent message of redemption. It is reflection and immersion in the joys and sadness of a mother in the birth,life,death and resurrection of her Divine Son that the wholly human Mary shares with us in the Rosary. Meggie Daly guides us to a deeper immersion in the Mysteries of the Rosary by linking short, resonant passages from Scripture with the familiar prayers of the Rosary feeling to the reader as if the Blessed Virgin is offering another way to feel the timeless message of love and forgiveness which lie at the heart of our Faith.
Meggie K. Daly makes this reflection in prayer more meaningful by sharing the story of her own rocky faith journey.The pilgrimage from cradle Catholic, straight A student, professional mathmetician to fallen away non-believer and all the way back up the steep slope of doubt to full communion with the Church makes this combination of ecclesiastical history, personal testimony and prayer guide warmly compelling reading.
Meggie K. Daly makes this reflection in prayer more meaningful by sharing the story of her own rocky faith journey.The pilgrimage from cradle Catholic, straight A student, professional mathmetician to fallen away non-believer and all the way back up the steep slope of doubt to full communion with the Church makes this combination of ecclesiastical history, personal testimony and prayer guide warmly compelling reading.
July 4, 2017
Being a "cradle Catholic" who never stopped 'believing'; but stopped 'going'...I was one day blind-sided by a bold Deacon at my mother's nursing home, & made to instantly hunger for my church again. It was a very quiet yet profound homecoming, with the Lord re-grasping my outstretched hand.
The Virgin Mary became who I prayed to, the one whom I believed would truly identify with me, or maybe I identified with her... I would start every prayer with,
Dear Mary, you were a wife, a mother, a daughter, a girlfriend, just like me... you probably had thoughts & worries just like I do. Can I share with you what is on my mind? Then, I would pray the Rosary as I had prayed it as a child...the repetitive pleading chant...
"Bead by Bead: The Scriptural Rosary" has been a fascinating historical & compelling vision into the joy & importance of praying the Rosary. How wonderful to have the guidance of Meggie K. Daly showing us how to pray while "connected" to Mary, through the Scripture, & ultimately 'connecting' to her son Jesus.
This beautiful book brings the Bible, as Meggie calls it, "God's Love Letter to Us" ...to life again, linking the Mysteries to the Rosary & weaving for us a beautiful cloth of faith & love. Praying the Rosary this way will be another one of life's adventures where, "the more you put in to it, the more you will take away from it."
Thank you dear Meggie for this gift!
The Virgin Mary became who I prayed to, the one whom I believed would truly identify with me, or maybe I identified with her... I would start every prayer with,
Dear Mary, you were a wife, a mother, a daughter, a girlfriend, just like me... you probably had thoughts & worries just like I do. Can I share with you what is on my mind? Then, I would pray the Rosary as I had prayed it as a child...the repetitive pleading chant...
"Bead by Bead: The Scriptural Rosary" has been a fascinating historical & compelling vision into the joy & importance of praying the Rosary. How wonderful to have the guidance of Meggie K. Daly showing us how to pray while "connected" to Mary, through the Scripture, & ultimately 'connecting' to her son Jesus.
This beautiful book brings the Bible, as Meggie calls it, "God's Love Letter to Us" ...to life again, linking the Mysteries to the Rosary & weaving for us a beautiful cloth of faith & love. Praying the Rosary this way will be another one of life's adventures where, "the more you put in to it, the more you will take away from it."
Thank you dear Meggie for this gift!
January 23, 2018
Bead by Bead: The Scriptural Rosary by Meggie K. Daly
A review by S. Leigh Hall
Nonfiction Editor for CatholicReads.com
It isn’t unique that author Meggie K. Daly prays her Rosary every day using Scripture to assist in meditating on the Mysteries as she recites the Our Fathers and Hail Marys. It isn’t unique that she decided to produce a book to help others pray their Rosary using specific scripture verses with special meaning for her. Yet Daly’s book Bead by Bead: The Scriptural Rosary is highly recommended by me for two reasons.
First of all, I find the sincerity in her writing to be authentic and even brave. She uses situations from her life to identify with readers. Secondly, I find myself truly involved in seeking to understand the power of the Rosary and why Catholics are so strongly devoted to its recitation because of her ability to establish an inviting relationship with readers.
Daly reveals herself from the beginning even as she acknowledges those who helped her produce the book. She describes her life as “governed by anxiety and driven by the desire for the approval of others…” In the Introduction, she explains how the idea for the scripture meditations came about through her struggle to focus while praying the Rosary and how she realized a book might be of value to other Catholics or even non-Catholics. Her background is in education, and ever the teacher, she describes her fantasy of the fulfillment of her final request at her funeral. She imagines her husband passing out a copy of the book so everyone, whether Catholic or not, can pray at least one Rosary using her private tutorial. She writes, “I must say that I like the idea of giving a reading assignment and homework at my funeral!”
The first four chapters are informational with what I call “Daly touches,” or those asides where she reveals a little bit of her own personality. As a gardener of roses, her chapters are named for the steps to the successful cultivation of her favorite flowers. Those chapters explain the history of the Rosary, the format and prayers, and her observations of how it is perceived in the current culture. Finally, the fifth chapter describes Daly’s personal journey to discover the Rosary’s significance in her life.
Although a cradle Catholic through her adoptive parents, Daly recounts how she became “one of the many ex-Catholics that swell the ranks of Evangelical Protestants.” She had cast aside the Rosary and other things Catholic; however, she found her mother’s rosary following her death. At that time, Daly was in her thirties, and the witness of her mother’s faith stayed with her through the next ten years in her spiritual journey to truly understand the teachings of the Catholic Church.
I relate to Daly’s statement, “Eventually, my hunger for the truth, obedience to an insistent prompting, and a desire for deeper intimacy with God lead me back to the Catholic Church.” I am not a cradle Catholic, but I know what she means in searching for the truth. By the end of the first five chapters, she presents valuable resources that a person can reference to discover why the Rosary is so powerful.
One of the resources she cites is a book she read that explains how Mary leads people to her Son, Jesus Christ. Daly decided to pray the Rosary every Friday as a penance or obligation. Though difficult at times, this brought her to a deeper understanding of the eternal presence of God that she describes in intimate detail in Chapter 5 titled “My Journey to the Rosary.”
The rest of the book is a bead by bead recitation of the Mysteries and Hail Marys accompanied by Scripture chosen by Daly. She uses St. Louis Mary de Montfort’s Introductory and Concluding prayers for each decade of the four Mysteries except for The Luminous Mysteries. She wrote those prayers herself keeping with de Montfort’s style.
I read the paperback version and at first, wondered how I could meditate with any spiritual gain while holding my Rosary and the book at the same time. The true test came following a weekday Mass when I prayed the Rosary with the congregation. Having read through the Joyful Mysteries in Daly’s book, I easily visualized the Scripture story, if not each verse word for word, and found the prayers more meaningful for me. It also helped that Daly’s book includes, in her full-color version, some of the most beautiful images of Christ’s life created by master artists through the ages.
I recommend this book to active Catholics and fallen away Catholics. I see it as a strong evangelizing tool for Protestants and non-Christians who find it difficult to understand why the Mother of Jesus is so special and why her intercessory prayers to her Son are so vital to peace in the world.
As a former educator and administrator, I suggest principals in Catholic schools gift each staff member with Bead by Bead: The Scriptural Rosary. What a great opportunity for meaningful group prayer in faculty meetings or during Professional Learning Community collaborations!
Genre: Non-fiction
Themes: Rosary, Catholic History, Reversion, Mary Mother of God, Scripture, Marian Devotion, Saints Devoted to Mary
Year Published: 2017
Audience: Teens to Adults, Catholics, non-Catholics, Christians, non-Christians
Author’s worldview: Catholic Christian
Website: https://misericordiapublishing.com/bo...
A review by S. Leigh Hall
Nonfiction Editor for CatholicReads.com
It isn’t unique that author Meggie K. Daly prays her Rosary every day using Scripture to assist in meditating on the Mysteries as she recites the Our Fathers and Hail Marys. It isn’t unique that she decided to produce a book to help others pray their Rosary using specific scripture verses with special meaning for her. Yet Daly’s book Bead by Bead: The Scriptural Rosary is highly recommended by me for two reasons.
First of all, I find the sincerity in her writing to be authentic and even brave. She uses situations from her life to identify with readers. Secondly, I find myself truly involved in seeking to understand the power of the Rosary and why Catholics are so strongly devoted to its recitation because of her ability to establish an inviting relationship with readers.
Daly reveals herself from the beginning even as she acknowledges those who helped her produce the book. She describes her life as “governed by anxiety and driven by the desire for the approval of others…” In the Introduction, she explains how the idea for the scripture meditations came about through her struggle to focus while praying the Rosary and how she realized a book might be of value to other Catholics or even non-Catholics. Her background is in education, and ever the teacher, she describes her fantasy of the fulfillment of her final request at her funeral. She imagines her husband passing out a copy of the book so everyone, whether Catholic or not, can pray at least one Rosary using her private tutorial. She writes, “I must say that I like the idea of giving a reading assignment and homework at my funeral!”
The first four chapters are informational with what I call “Daly touches,” or those asides where she reveals a little bit of her own personality. As a gardener of roses, her chapters are named for the steps to the successful cultivation of her favorite flowers. Those chapters explain the history of the Rosary, the format and prayers, and her observations of how it is perceived in the current culture. Finally, the fifth chapter describes Daly’s personal journey to discover the Rosary’s significance in her life.
Although a cradle Catholic through her adoptive parents, Daly recounts how she became “one of the many ex-Catholics that swell the ranks of Evangelical Protestants.” She had cast aside the Rosary and other things Catholic; however, she found her mother’s rosary following her death. At that time, Daly was in her thirties, and the witness of her mother’s faith stayed with her through the next ten years in her spiritual journey to truly understand the teachings of the Catholic Church.
I relate to Daly’s statement, “Eventually, my hunger for the truth, obedience to an insistent prompting, and a desire for deeper intimacy with God lead me back to the Catholic Church.” I am not a cradle Catholic, but I know what she means in searching for the truth. By the end of the first five chapters, she presents valuable resources that a person can reference to discover why the Rosary is so powerful.
One of the resources she cites is a book she read that explains how Mary leads people to her Son, Jesus Christ. Daly decided to pray the Rosary every Friday as a penance or obligation. Though difficult at times, this brought her to a deeper understanding of the eternal presence of God that she describes in intimate detail in Chapter 5 titled “My Journey to the Rosary.”
The rest of the book is a bead by bead recitation of the Mysteries and Hail Marys accompanied by Scripture chosen by Daly. She uses St. Louis Mary de Montfort’s Introductory and Concluding prayers for each decade of the four Mysteries except for The Luminous Mysteries. She wrote those prayers herself keeping with de Montfort’s style.
I read the paperback version and at first, wondered how I could meditate with any spiritual gain while holding my Rosary and the book at the same time. The true test came following a weekday Mass when I prayed the Rosary with the congregation. Having read through the Joyful Mysteries in Daly’s book, I easily visualized the Scripture story, if not each verse word for word, and found the prayers more meaningful for me. It also helped that Daly’s book includes, in her full-color version, some of the most beautiful images of Christ’s life created by master artists through the ages.
I recommend this book to active Catholics and fallen away Catholics. I see it as a strong evangelizing tool for Protestants and non-Christians who find it difficult to understand why the Mother of Jesus is so special and why her intercessory prayers to her Son are so vital to peace in the world.
As a former educator and administrator, I suggest principals in Catholic schools gift each staff member with Bead by Bead: The Scriptural Rosary. What a great opportunity for meaningful group prayer in faculty meetings or during Professional Learning Community collaborations!
Genre: Non-fiction
Themes: Rosary, Catholic History, Reversion, Mary Mother of God, Scripture, Marian Devotion, Saints Devoted to Mary
Year Published: 2017
Audience: Teens to Adults, Catholics, non-Catholics, Christians, non-Christians
Author’s worldview: Catholic Christian
Website: https://misericordiapublishing.com/bo...
September 5, 2017
Bead by Bead: The Scriptural Rosary by Meggie K Daily is a rich resource of scripture verses for each bead and gorgeous images from churches around the world to contemplate for each mystery of the Rosary. Following the author’s suggestions can enable the proper meditation needed to say this prayer with your whole heart and mind and not merely mechanically, thus uniting yourself more closely with Our Lord’s trials and joys with the help of His Holy Mother. The first section of the book uses ample research to explain the origins of the Rosary and the reasons for reciting it. Next, Ms. Daily describes the use of “Lectio Divina” to focus the mind on the scriptural passages. To paraphrase an apostolic exhortation of Pope Paul VI found in the book: Without the element of contemplation, the Rosary is a body without a soul whose recitation is in danger of becoming mechanical and of going counter to Christ’s warning in Matthew 6:7. I plan to wear out with constant use Bead by Bead: The Scriptural Rosary.
November 1, 2017
I received a copy of this book for an honest review from the author. First, thank you, Meggie K. Daly.
For the past several years, I've had an app on my smart phone that helps me when I pray the rosary. It gives me meditations for each decade before I pray them. This slowed me down as I prayed, so it became a more contemplative prayer for me.
As I read Meggie's book, I found the scripture verses used by the app for each of the decades. It pleased me to find them in an easy to read format. It is a wonderful guide to the life of Jesus.
I recommend this book because it can enrich the reader as they pray the rosary. It can help the reader meditate on each Hail Mary as they pray. When prayed in this way, we can concentrate on the life of Jesus and draw into a deeper relationship with him.
I wish I could give 4.5 stars, instead of just four. I liked it a lot.
For the past several years, I've had an app on my smart phone that helps me when I pray the rosary. It gives me meditations for each decade before I pray them. This slowed me down as I prayed, so it became a more contemplative prayer for me.
As I read Meggie's book, I found the scripture verses used by the app for each of the decades. It pleased me to find them in an easy to read format. It is a wonderful guide to the life of Jesus.
I recommend this book because it can enrich the reader as they pray the rosary. It can help the reader meditate on each Hail Mary as they pray. When prayed in this way, we can concentrate on the life of Jesus and draw into a deeper relationship with him.
I wish I could give 4.5 stars, instead of just four. I liked it a lot.
October 30, 2020
My favorite book about Our Mother's gift of prayerful meditations. Meggie K. Daley has lovingly put together little bursts of Scripture to be read and pondered while praying the Rosary. Great for beginners as well as daily devotees, the pages of Bead by Bead will help you understand how and why the Rosary exists as they bring you more deeply into the Mysteries of Christ.
With an introduction that I found fascinating all by itself and beautiful color artwork of varying styles throughout history (many of which I had never seen before) this is a book I definitely recommend for anyone who is even a little curious about the Rosary. May we all pray for healing, mercy, and peace in our hearts and in our world!
"Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us."
With an introduction that I found fascinating all by itself and beautiful color artwork of varying styles throughout history (many of which I had never seen before) this is a book I definitely recommend for anyone who is even a little curious about the Rosary. May we all pray for healing, mercy, and peace in our hearts and in our world!
"Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us."
August 5, 2017
I recommend this book to anyone either seeking to understand the Rosary - its origins, purpose, and practice - or to pray it more fully. The scriptural reflections and artwork contained in the book can help reduce the opportunities for distraction while praying the Rosary. I know I need help in keeping my focus. Lots of help! This book is a great place to start in seeking to pray better.
February 22, 2018
Rosasry Meditationss
The idea of linking each bead to the mystery of the decade is a good one. It is done better by The Contemplative Rosary using tips from! St . Theresa and ST. John II.
The idea of linking each bead to the mystery of the decade is a good one. It is done better by The Contemplative Rosary using tips from! St . Theresa and ST. John II.
March 28, 2018
Reintroduces the Rosary in a fresh new way
Loved the implimentation of scriptural passages
with each bead. Could do without the thees and thousands. Might turn off younger people.
Loved the implimentation of scriptural passages
with each bead. Could do without the thees and thousands. Might turn off younger people.
June 12, 2019
We pray the Scriptural Rosary before Mass on Sunday Mornings. I was so happy to find this book!
I really was happy to be able to acquire this book online! It does help to recite the rosary in a biblical way. It inspires meditation while praying.
I really was happy to be able to acquire this book online! It does help to recite the rosary in a biblical way. It inspires meditation while praying.
September 18, 2025
Beautiful meditation prayer book
This beautiful rosary book containing bead by bead meditations has made the rosary come alive and helps lessen the distractions that often come when trying to pray the rosary.
Highly recommend.
This beautiful rosary book containing bead by bead meditations has made the rosary come alive and helps lessen the distractions that often come when trying to pray the rosary.
Highly recommend.
August 7, 2017
Title: Remembering the Rosary.
It's so sad how I have forgotten parts of the Rosary. I am so enjoying this book. I'm reading it slowly, as I’m dyslexic. I laughed, at reading assignment at author’s funeral!
I just didn't realize all the meaning and history in the Rosary. I found a wooden rosary I had and now every night or just when ever, all day if I can, I'm saying the Rosary.
Thank you, Meggie, for your book its wonderful inspiration.
It's so sad how I have forgotten parts of the Rosary. I am so enjoying this book. I'm reading it slowly, as I’m dyslexic. I laughed, at reading assignment at author’s funeral!
I just didn't realize all the meaning and history in the Rosary. I found a wooden rosary I had and now every night or just when ever, all day if I can, I'm saying the Rosary.
Thank you, Meggie, for your book its wonderful inspiration.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews