Hail Mary and Rhythmic Breathing: A New Way of Praying the Rosary [Paperback]

Richard Galentino (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2, 2006 | Series: Illuminationbooks

"We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence."--Mother Teresa

This remarkable work presents the well known Catholic prayer, the Hail Mary, with pranayama--an ancient breathing method practiced in yoga.

For readers looking for refreshment, meaning, and heightened spiritual connection, HAIL MARY AND RHYTHMIC BREATHING is an extraordinary resource.

Topics include: coordinating proper inhalation with prayer; the Hail Mary; a look at the lives of Mother Teresa and Gandhi; the physical benefits of mediation and prayer on the heart; and ten meditations.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richard Galentino is both a yoga practitioner and Director of the Medical Volunteer Program for the Catholic Medical Mission Board. He was selected as an International Education Policy Fellow at Harvard University after spending three years in Tanzania as a Jesuit Volunteer. He graduated from Harvard University with a Master's degree in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy. Richard resides in Orlando, FL with his family.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Paulist Press (January 2, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809143399
• ISBN-13: 978-0809143399
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #484,437 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #87 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Worship & Devotion > Prayerbooks

More About the Author

Where I grew up: Watervliet, New York
Where I live now: Winter Park, Florida

Education: Georgetown University (BSFS Economics); Harvard University (Ed.M. International Education Policy)

Time Abroad: Spent 3 years living in Tanzania, Africa as a Jesuit Volunteer teaching Economics and starting micro-finance projects

Employer: Catholic Medical Mission Board (Director of Medical Volunteer Program--director of team that deploys hundreds of medical volunteers to more than 25 different countries, primarily in Africa and Latin America); former director of statewide AmeriCorps program in Florida (2000-2007)

Languages: Swahili, French (broken--replaced with Swahili!)

Interests: Swimming, yoga, writing

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful insights into the Hail Mary & quiet contemplation., January 11, 2006

By 

J. Chambers - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hail Mary and Rhythmic Breathing: A New Way of Praying the Rosary (Paperback)

Wow! What an interesting and meaningful little book! I got a copy from a friend at Christmas, who knew of my interest in Catholicism and my on & off meditation practices. I had never heard of a book attempting to offer a way of using mindful breathing to enhance the well-known Catholic prayers, but this book does so wonderfully!

The book has nice introductory reflections/forewords from both a Jesuit priest and yoga practitioner. Then, the author gives a nice easy history of meditation in the Christian tradition, and the evolution of the Hail Mary. These histories are expanded upon throughout the following chapters as well.

The book then explains one method for inhaling, holding, and exhaling in conjunction with the Hail Mary, and discusses how this practice can help us in our contemporary daily lives. The author does a good job of tying in real-world examples of distractions & problems that can be remedied through prayer and mindful breathing. His writing style actually reminds me of another favorite author of mine, Thich Nhat Hanh...

The book closes with ten suggested meditations of relevance for the Christian life. Some of these are scenes from the life of Christ, and some are virtues for consideration. The author again does a an insightful job of tying these meditations to the real world challenges and distractions that their graces can help us to overcome.

A wonderful little book. I highly recommend it for anyone who practices the Rosary or similar prayer routines. It will be a breath of fresh air (literally!) in these disciplines!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great way to take a step back, November 24, 2006

By 

John Prust (Miami, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hail Mary and Rhythmic Breathing: A New Way of Praying the Rosary (Paperback)

Galentino's book helps bring our focus back on to what is important in life and exactly how we can do this every day. The first half focuses on the importance of taking a step back, retreating, taking an hour off every day to meditate, pray, and be spiritual. Mother Teresa, Gandhi, and other figures in history took time off from their busy schedules to give them the "life force" necessary to accomplish their great deeds. The second half of the book gives actual, practical examples of meditations for the reader to attempt. Galentino beautifully weaves Catholic spirituality with Eastern meditation and exemplifies how symbiotic they can be.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wholistic Challenge, August 10, 2006

By 

Emi Elepano (West Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hail Mary and Rhythmic Breathing: A New Way of Praying the Rosary (Paperback)

"Hail Mary and Rhythmic Breathing" by Richard Galentino is indeed a new way of praying the Rosary by integrating stress-releasing breathing exercises with each Hail Mary. I liked it because it challenged me to integrate both the physical and spiritual, theory and practice, and take time to pray in a busy world.