(This article courtesy of the Arlington Catholic Herald.)
Formerly, our family rosary has been accompanied by wonderful children’s rosary tapes produced by Lion Communications. I love the songs on the tapes and find myself singing them at odd hours of almost every day. Like my second son, I am an auditory learner and music was a sure way to engrave the mysteries of the rosary on my heart. But the new rosaries begged for a new approach.
The day after we received our new rosaries, a review copy of a rosary book for children arrived in the mail. The book, entitled Speak, Lord, I am Listening, is a scriptural rosary accompanied by stunning watercolor illustrations. With its arrival, we have a quiet approach to the rosary which has great visual appeal. Mom and Christian still want to sing it but the artists in the family are satisfied as well.
The book begins with a “Letter to Parents” from Father Michael Deusterhaus, administrator of St. William of York Parish in Stafford, Virgina. In the letter, he answers common objections to praying the rosary with straightforward no-nonsense responses. In part, he writes:
The Rosary is too long.
Then start with one decade at a time.
The rosary is too repetitive, too boring.
Then intertwine Scripture with prayers.
There is not enough time to pray the rosary.
What is more important, a television show or our relationship with God?
I don’t understand the mysteries.
Again, use the Scriptures listed with each of the mysteries as a link to the Bible to find out more.
There are too many more fun things to do than take time to pray the rosary.
Our life in eternity begins now in little opportunities of sacrifice for God.
His letter is followed by a scriptural rosary written by Christine Haapala, a parishioner at Holy Spirit Church in Annandale, Virginia. Each mystery of the rosary is presented on a two-page spread. The format of oversized pages means the book will work even with a small group of children who all need to see. The complete text of every prayer is written out once, then the prayers are prompted with the first few words. There are short Scripture passages for each and every mystery. The Scriptures are particularly well-chosen and will encourage children to truly meditate instead of falling into mindless repetition.
I think what makes this book work exceptionally well with children is the way the text is integrated with the illustrations. Gus Muller, also a Holy Spirit parishioner, has painted lovely watercolor illustrations to enhance the text. The pages are both clean and visually appealing and the print is large enough for new readers. Though it will certainly appeal to young children, it is truly a book for all ages.
The book is published by Suffering Servant Scriptorum, a small house founded in the Jubilee Year. It will be available in Spanish under the title Hable, Senor, Que Yo Te Escucha. Check the Web site for availability www.sufferingservant.com.
