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Silent Rosary: A Contemplative, Exegetical, and Iconographic Tour Through the Mysteries
The twenty mysteries of the rosary are a circular "gallery," a matrix of theology and spirituality. They can inspire us profoundly. For those seeking a deeper encounter in faith, these mysteries have the power to move us toward contemplation.
A lengthy Introduction explains in detail the meaning of the term "mystery" in Christian thought, provides a brief history of the rosary, explains the significance of Mary in the mysteries, explores the importance of "beholding" in the Scriptures and in our spirituality, and explores Christian iconography. The centerpiece of the book is the "gallery" of the mysteries as illuminated by the iconography of Solrunn Nes, each image supplemented with explanatory commentaries by Addison Hodges Hart. The latter incorporate biblical exegesis, pertinent historical details, and insights from classical spiritual writers. The aim is to provide insight into the symbolism and typology of each mystery and to lead the reader into contemplative prayer and action. Throughout, the book unites an outward "beholding" of the mysteries of the rosary with the inner practice of the work of silence.
A lengthy Introduction explains in detail the meaning of the term "mystery" in Christian thought, provides a brief history of the rosary, explains the significance of Mary in the mysteries, explores the importance of "beholding" in the Scriptures and in our spirituality, and explores Christian iconography. The centerpiece of the book is the "gallery" of the mysteries as illuminated by the iconography of Solrunn Nes, each image supplemented with explanatory commentaries by Addison Hodges Hart. The latter incorporate biblical exegesis, pertinent historical details, and insights from classical spiritual writers. The aim is to provide insight into the symbolism and typology of each mystery and to lead the reader into contemplative prayer and action. Throughout, the book unites an outward "beholding" of the mysteries of the rosary with the inner practice of the work of silence.
- GenresPrayer
144 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 2, 2021
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June 12, 2023
What is a ‘Silent’ Rosary or how do you pray it, you might wonder? I know I did when I saw the title of this book. Of course, I know how to pray the Rosary silently but that’s not the same thing.
In Silent Rosary Addison Hodges Hart and his wife, iconographer, Solrunn Nes collaborate to provide a visual and literary meditation on the 20 mysteries of the Holy Rosary.
The icons are in the Byzantine style, which I find delightful. However, as an art form, icons are not for everyone. My husband, also an artist but in the realist tradition, does not appreciate icons. He knows that people—like me—do, but they hold no appeal for him. I have tried to explain their value in prayer but so far have not been successful. In the end, all I can say is, “They help me stay focused,” and “I don’t look at the icon so much as look through it.” As a verbal person, a reading-addict if you will, having the icon before me when I pray works on my brain in a different way than it is accustomed to doing. It forces me to be visual as opposed to verbal, to work on a weakness rather than fall back on a strength. The same thing happens with Rosary beads, whether or not I am actually moving from one bead to another, their tactility helps stimulate another sense and therefore a different part of the brain. Just holding them is enough to focus my prayer.
To return to the original question, the silence is within and comes from some interaction with the icon, or at least it does for me. Mr. Hart’s meditations are part history, part exegesis and part explanation of the given icon. I learned a lot! Besides the Catholic perspective, he also looks at the mysteries from the Eastern and Orthodox traditions, allowing for the ‘breathing with both lungs’ as Pope St. John Paul II encouraged us to do.
An example would be the Assumption of Mary or the “Dormition” (the “falling asleep”) of the Virgin. He explains how this mystery has evolved over the centuries. Whereas it used to be as much a commemoration of her death and burial as well as her entrance into paradise, the first part seems to have been lost along the way giving rise to an almost larger than life Mary who ascends much like Jesus. In this icon, we see the more traditional version of this mystery; Mary asleep with the Apostles gathered around her and Jesus above them all. Jesus holds a tiny infant Mary wrapped in swaddling clothes, representing her ‘birth’ into eternal life. Before at the Nativity, it was she who wrapped Jesus; now it is He who wraps her.
There are many other little details like this not seen in other depictions of the Rosary Mysteries, making this book a rich spiritual delight to read, yet even more as a prayer resource. I only wish I had larger representations of the individual icons.
March 6, 2023: This Rosary book looks very unusual and I'm so excited to begin it tonight! The visuals are icons which are especially dear to me because they force the mind to go deeper than the surface depicted, hence I think/hope they will offer greater scope for meditation. There is also considerable text for each mystery and even a brief scan of said text is tantalizing.
The book is divided into two parts as follows:
Part One: Entering the Circular Gallery:
• Mysteries
• History of the Rosary
• Significance of Mary
• Beholding and Iconography
• Four Sets of Five
Part Two: The Twenty Mysteries:
• The “Joyful” Mysteries—Incarnation
• The “Luminous” Mysteries—Revelation
• The “Sorrowful” Mysteries—Kenosis
• The “Glorious” Mysteries—Regeneration
In Silent Rosary Addison Hodges Hart and his wife, iconographer, Solrunn Nes collaborate to provide a visual and literary meditation on the 20 mysteries of the Holy Rosary.
The icons are in the Byzantine style, which I find delightful. However, as an art form, icons are not for everyone. My husband, also an artist but in the realist tradition, does not appreciate icons. He knows that people—like me—do, but they hold no appeal for him. I have tried to explain their value in prayer but so far have not been successful. In the end, all I can say is, “They help me stay focused,” and “I don’t look at the icon so much as look through it.” As a verbal person, a reading-addict if you will, having the icon before me when I pray works on my brain in a different way than it is accustomed to doing. It forces me to be visual as opposed to verbal, to work on a weakness rather than fall back on a strength. The same thing happens with Rosary beads, whether or not I am actually moving from one bead to another, their tactility helps stimulate another sense and therefore a different part of the brain. Just holding them is enough to focus my prayer.
To return to the original question, the silence is within and comes from some interaction with the icon, or at least it does for me. Mr. Hart’s meditations are part history, part exegesis and part explanation of the given icon. I learned a lot! Besides the Catholic perspective, he also looks at the mysteries from the Eastern and Orthodox traditions, allowing for the ‘breathing with both lungs’ as Pope St. John Paul II encouraged us to do.
An example would be the Assumption of Mary or the “Dormition” (the “falling asleep”) of the Virgin. He explains how this mystery has evolved over the centuries. Whereas it used to be as much a commemoration of her death and burial as well as her entrance into paradise, the first part seems to have been lost along the way giving rise to an almost larger than life Mary who ascends much like Jesus. In this icon, we see the more traditional version of this mystery; Mary asleep with the Apostles gathered around her and Jesus above them all. Jesus holds a tiny infant Mary wrapped in swaddling clothes, representing her ‘birth’ into eternal life. Before at the Nativity, it was she who wrapped Jesus; now it is He who wraps her.
There are many other little details like this not seen in other depictions of the Rosary Mysteries, making this book a rich spiritual delight to read, yet even more as a prayer resource. I only wish I had larger representations of the individual icons.
March 6, 2023: This Rosary book looks very unusual and I'm so excited to begin it tonight! The visuals are icons which are especially dear to me because they force the mind to go deeper than the surface depicted, hence I think/hope they will offer greater scope for meditation. There is also considerable text for each mystery and even a brief scan of said text is tantalizing.
The book is divided into two parts as follows:
Part One: Entering the Circular Gallery:
• Mysteries
• History of the Rosary
• Significance of Mary
• Beholding and Iconography
• Four Sets of Five
Part Two: The Twenty Mysteries:
• The “Joyful” Mysteries—Incarnation
• The “Luminous” Mysteries—Revelation
• The “Sorrowful” Mysteries—Kenosis
• The “Glorious” Mysteries—Regeneration
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