Five for sorrow, ten for joy;: A consideration of the Rosary

Since earliest times Christians have used beads on a cord to keep track of their prayers. Christians of many different traditions use the Rosary to help refresh their prayer lives. The Rosary creates a rhythm that helps us look away from our distractions and focus our attention so that we can more readily move into God's presence. Neville Ward's unusual collection of meditations offers an entirely new approach to the rosary for all Christians. He begins with its traditional use and then offers fifteen insights into the life of Jesus and his mother Mary that can speak to us today. Thus a meditation on the sorrowful themes reminds us of the suffering that is so much a part of our own lives, while the joyful and glorious mysteries speak of the desire for faith, hope, and love that will heal them. These reflections serve up a rich spiritual repast for Christians seeking new contemplative practices and learning to pray with the Rosary.