The Most Holy Rosary is one of the greatest prayers in the history of the Church. Garnished as it is with the testimony of saints and Popes for the last thousand years, the only greater prayers the Mass and the Divine Office. It is a prayer for the people, to be said over and over, and yet, many still seek ways to enter into the deeper mansions of spiritual richness to be found in this devotion.
Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich was a Roman Catholic Augustinian nun, stigmatic, mystic, visionary and ecstatic.
The daughter of a peasant couple, Anne Catherine Emmerich worked as a seamstress and servant before entering an Augustinian convent in 1802 at age 28. Frail and pious, she became known for her ecstasies, visions of the supernatural and "conversations" with Jesus.
After she became bedridden in 1813 she developed the stigmata -- bleeding wounds corresponding to those of the crucified Christ. A church investigation pronounced the wounds genuine. Ill for many years until her death at age 49, she offered up her suffering for the souls in purgatory. She was beatified on October 3, 2004 by Pope John Paul II.
This book was my introduction to Anne Catherine Emmerich’s visions, with good coverage of the key moments in Christ’s life. I will have to contemplate her words a little more, especially where they differ from other private revelation. Overall, a great way to dive deeper into the mysteries of the Rosary (although you can read this without praying a rosary).
The Rosary is a wonderful way to meditate on the Life of Jesus Christ. Followers of Jesus want to model their lives on Him. The Rosary gives us the chance to consider His life in some depth. At the same time it is a good way to pray in a gentle way.
This book delves deep into the mysteries of the rosary through the mystic visions of Blessed Anne Catherine. Her visions of each mystery are extremely compelling, especially the sorrowful mysteries. I had never heard of her before and, while sometimes difficult to read due to a slightly archaic form of English used in describing her visions, I developed a better understanding of the meaning of each mystery and of the rosary as a whole in how it celebrates the life of Christ. This edition also contains a guide on the proper way to say a rosary, individually or in a group, which was very helpful. For anyone wanting to delve deeper into the meaning of praying the rosary, I recommend reading this book.
The 20 mysteries of the most Holy Rosary is explained by Blessed Ann Catherine Emerich as she is allowed to see the moment these mysteries occurred. Very insightful through her eyes. A must read.