The Rosary: Keeping Company with Jesus and Mary (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Saint Anthony Messenger Press (May 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0867168757
• ISBN-13: 978-0867168754
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #210,528 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beauty, inspiration, and practicality, May 9, 2009

By	Alice Gunther "Alice Gunther" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What a joy it was to receive my pre-ordered copy of "The Rosary: Keeping Company with Jesus and Mary" just in time for Mother's Day.

As always, Karen Edmisten writes with sincerity and clarity, drawing others to the rosary through a narrative that is intensely personal and deeply spiritual. Without so much as a word wasted, the book is a course in Marian history, apologetics, scripture and prayer that I cannot wait to share with my teenagers.

The real genius of the book is that it is at once both simple and deep--simple and not at all intimidating for those just learning to say the rosary, yet deep and full of new information for those of us who have loved this prayer a long time. It is also a book I can see myself revisiting whenever I need a lift or inspiration. Karen's "Making it Work" chapter in particular is one I need right now while juggling a new baby along with days that are fuller than full. My new motto is going to be "pray while you rock and nurse, rock and nurse . . . ."

This book is a labor of love sure to remain a favorite forever. It is the perfect tribute to the "fairest of queens in the fairest of seasons, sweet May."

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Something for everyone, June 23, 2009

By	Carol Blank (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

The author is a former atheist who became a Catholic at the age of 39. In this book she has produced "a primer, a reference, and a source of support" for all who are interested in the Catholic practice of praying the rosary. She addresses common misunderstandings about the rosary and provides practical tips for incorporating it into our prayer life.

After a brief report on her own introduction to the rosary, Edmisten explores its origins and miracles associated with it. She frequently returns to the often problematic issue of praying "to" Mary, explaining that Mary is not the granter of prayers but one who intercedes on our behalf. Two chapters are devoted to the mechanics of the rosary and the role of the mysteries, with a brief description of each.

Her chapter on meditating on the mysteries begins with a quotation from the Catechism of the Catholic Church defining meditation as a quest for greater understanding of God and our life with him through "thought, imagination, emotion and desire." Edmisten provides rosary examples for each of these four elements. While praying the third joyful mystery, she suggests we think about the birth of Jesus, imagine being a witness, and consider Mary's emotions. Lastly, we ask ourselves if we desire to be transformed by the nativity. Meditation is not high drama, weeping, or levitation, she writes, but simply focusing on one thing about God at a time. "Meditation is a way of herding the stray thoughts, corralling them and setting them aside for a time," so that we have room for the moment's one thing.

This little book has something for everyone, from individuals unfamiliar with the rosary to those who pray with it regularly.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Books I've Read, May 23, 2009

By	S. Reinhard - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When this book arrived, I found the "something else" I had been seeking (though I couldn't have told you I was looking for it). For one thing, there's the title. I love the image of the rosary as a time to just hang out with Jesus and his mom. It has given me a whole new approach to my morning rosary, an entirely new paradigm and a breath of fresh prayer for me.
Unlike so many devotional helps, Karen Edmisten doesn't flowery-phrase you to death. She says what needs said -- I had quite a few "ah-HA!" moments -- and she shares enough from her own experience that I caught myself, a few times, looking over to see if she was standing over my shoulder.

It's the kind of book that has a voice you can actually hear. Karen's approachable and she's not out to convince you to pray the rosary. Instead of a volume of reasons you should be praying the rosary already, Keeping Company is one woman sitting down, coffee in hand, to discuss it calmly with you. She gives some history, she gives some tips, she gives some anecdotes, and in the midst of it, I found myself smiling and nodding and asking her if she wanted more coffee, if she could stay for another few pages, if she would pray with me.

This is one of my very favorite books. I can't recommend it highly enough, whether or not you're a Catholic or you struggle with the rosary.