Customer Reviews

The Rosary: A Journey to the Beloved (Faithwords)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought a copy of The Rosary when it came up by chance as an "Amazon Recommendation" for me. I completely believe in fate and signs and thought this to be one. Although I have tried in the past, I wouldn't normally read a book about a prayer but this one is different. It is more than a book. It's a kind voice speaking to you, whispering in the background even while it's put away neatly on your bookshelf. It made me look at the Rosary in a completely different way than I did in all my years of Catholic school. I would recommend it not only for someone who is interested in prayer but also for those of you who have trouble with meditation. I have tried "walking down the path into the forest and closing the gate" and so on and so on as many meditation guides recommend but the nagging stress of my day to day life always distracts me back to the present. Here, Gary Jansen teaches a deeply meaningful type of meditation. I now keep The Rosary on a shelf above my bed and have reached for it during some hardships that have occurred in my life in the past months. It is truly an inspiration.

Gary Jansen shows us the importance of slowing down and,using the repeating prayers of the rosary, inducing a meditative state. He argues that by repeating the rosary you force onself to slow down. He uses some personal anecdotes to illustrate this. This book is a unique perspective and belongs in ones personal library of anyone trying to find peace thru the power of prayer. I loved this book!

Having spent many years in Catholic school, reverence and prayer are nothing new to this reader. What is new, and what Jansen captures so well, is how the Rosary can be used to fill or clear the mind in a meditative manner more often associated with Eastern religions. The history, the art, the personal anecdotes round out this lovely primer and reading it is a bit of pleasurable peace and reassurance, seemingly just the beginning of what the Rosary is capable of. With Jansen's assistance, I've been able to rejuvenate the capacity of this prayer and find new meaning in old words.

The Rosary: A Journey to the Beloved is deeply scriptural and beautifully visual, with classic art for every mystery. It is an excellent introduction to the devotion -- clear and simple. The Rosary's sustained me, in one way or another, since I was in utero. Yet Gary's book gave me new perspectives... Still, I've never seen a better introduction for people coming in cold -- even people who know little or nothing about Christianity. The book's a marvel of grace, highly recommended.

I just received this book from a friend, and can't think of a more thoughtful gift. It's beautiful to look at, easy to read, and unlike most sources on the rosary, does an excellant job of explaining why and how meditative prayer can be powerful in our lives. Instead of just telling you how to pray the rosary it actually made me look forward to doing so. I loved that his approach was for all Christians - not just Catholics, who want to deepen their relationship with Christ. I've gone through a number of books and pamphlets, looking for something useful for folks not raised to the practice of the rosary (or those who do so mechanically, with no effect), and this is by far the best I've come across.

Sometimes when we grow up praying the Rosary, we lose the reverence we should have for it. With this book, the author has shed new light on how I see this prayer and the Mother of God. Instead of praying to her, we're asking her to sit down with us as we get to know her son better through her eyes.

I would also recommend this book to any protestants who would like to understand the Catholic view point on Mary and the Rosary in a non-threatening way.

The book itself is beautiful as well; Jansen has chosen exquisite artwork that serves as a photo album of Jesus' life for the reader to meditate on.

A very enlightening and deep book. You'll return to it again and again for inspiration and guidance.

I bought this book because I had just finished reading Gary Jansen's other book "Holy Ghosts: Or How a (Not-so) Good Catholic Boy Became a Believer in Things That Go Bump in the Night". We had a similar experience to his except ours was way more terrifying and intense - worse than any movie. Not being religious at all, my daughter (who had not been Baptized because that stuff was "mumbo-jumbo tradition that was simply ritualistic and meaningless in today's world) stood in our dining room one day and declared, "I think we need a priest." And so began our completely baffling,surprising and uncharacteristic-of-us journey into Catholicism and Deliverance.

Gary Jansen has the wonderful ability to write as if he were your good friend or brother. He is learned enough to be credible and "average Joe" enough to be believable and relatable.

Gary's asides and written thoughts are sometimes very funny. He is my new favorite author.

I was told getting rid of non-Christian items in my house along with praying the rosary would have a significant impact on getting rid of the evil attacking us, so I zoomed to the store and bought books and directions on how to do the Rosary. I worried it would be BORING and tedious -
until the day I was clutching my beads praying with the directions on my lap and an audible hiss,growl then a scream happened across the room. A 'wind' whooshed the sounds away.
Man oh man! Guess who prays the rosary daily now??? Gary's book is a delight and you just FEEL better and closer to Heaven reading it.
I recommend both of his books highly and I hope he publishes more soon!

A beautiful book and well written! This is for anyone who has questions about what the rosary is and how to pray more effectively. Small book - but powerful!

I received this book when confirmed and have fallen head over heals for it. I carry it with me in my laptop bag everywhere I go, along with my rosary and have found myself with it open before me as a guide to the 'steps' of the rosary many many times. I have also fallen for Jansen's mysteries description, the beuatiful illustrations, and the awesome bead guide printed alongside the text - allowing the journey to continue with or without your rosary. A great travel book.

I continue my own journey within the Catholic world and wouldn't have made it without a few great guides. Gary Jansen's book is at the top of the list and I hope many more read it and take that meditative moment to breath deep, let go, and let God.

Who knows - maybe an audio version could come our way some day too?? Boy what a treat then!