The Rosary: Your Weapon for Spiritual Warfare

I don't remember the first time I prayed a full Rosary.  It was likely in my mid to late 20's.  I felt like I was driving on a road at night with no map.  I didn't know where I was or what came next.  I knew nothing of the ancient traditions associated with the Rosary nor did I understand the immense importance that this daily ritual could hold in my daily life but as the years have passed there is rarely a day when I don't begin my morning (even pre coffee!) with a Rosary.  As I contemplate the mysteries and pray for friends and family I still lack so much knowledge about the history and power of this prayer. 

What I enjoyed about the book "The Rosary: Your Weapon for Spiritual Warfare"  by Johnnette S. Benkovic and Thomas K Sullivan is how easy it was to understand, the personal stories of people around the world, and the massive amounts of historical information that seemed to come alive off of the pages and leap right into my heart.  Of course there is the Fatima story, which I knew, but there are so many more stories that I had no idea about.  There are chapters on the men and women who fought hard battles (spiritually and otherwise) with the Rosary being their number one weapon.  These stories are fascinating and timeless.  There are hints and recommendations on how and when to pray the Rosary in a group setting, as families, and as individuals. 

When you get this book make sure you have a highlighter or two in hand and maybe your journal too.  I know I will be going back and referencing the information in this book for many years to come.  A common theme in the book is how the Christian life is one of warfare.  I, for one, am grateful for the weapon of the Rosary.  Knowing the history behind it is just the icing on the cake.