The Rosary: It's History and Meaning

PART ONE of this book presents the first complete history of the origin and development of the rosary. This prayer has grown like a spreading shrub. Springing up lush and green in the spirirual soil of the Irish-British homeland, it extended to the continent. In Central Europe it blossomed forth in mysteries which finally attained perfection of form and number in Southern Europe. Part two is the story of the significance of the rosary in the light of its history. The great teachers are invoked as witnesses: they explain the nature of the prayer and tell of the various helps offered the faithful for the right understanding and proper practice of the devotion. Especially profitable for the aid and guidance of souls are the personal experiences of St. Louis Grignion de Montfort, canonized on July 20, 1947. THE ROSARY is like a mighty stream whose waters are drawn from many tributaries. They all have their source in the same spiritual heights-the liturgical prayers of the Church, not as directed to the celebration of the Holy Mass, but as establishing a prayerful relationship to God. F or this reason the history of the rosary should begin with a survey of those lofty regions of liturgical prayer. Then, following the course of these sacred streams as they converge to form the rosary, we descend into the valley of the faith.