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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful: Wonderful tool for energizing faith in prayer, May 21, 2005 By  Glutton for books - See all my reviews The rosary is a prayerful devotion that is more than a millennium old. It comprises praying specific prayers while meditating on events from the New Testament. "101 Inspirational Stories of the Rosary" was written for "the year of the rosary," 2003. The book comprises a collection of short personal tales from average people all over the world, who believe that they have received help from God from challenges in their life or assistance for those they love, through praying the rosary. Many of the stories are remarkable miracles of healings from mortal illnesses and saving during accidents or on the battlefield. Others are testimonies of incidences of personal inner healing experienced or witnessed. The stories are short and can easily be read as uplifting food for meditation and encouragement before going to bed, or for when the reader wants a quit does of faith and hope during a hectic day. The chapters of the book are peppered with biblical quotes and quotes from the ages expressing people's belief in the power of the rosary, such as Mother Theresa, Patrick Peyton, and Lucia, of the children who allegedly received messages about the rosary at Fatima, and many others who have been recognized as saints. The writing is easily accessible to people of all ages. The book also includes an extensive appendix to answer any questions the reader might have about the rosary; its history and promises associated with recourse of the rosary; directions on how to pray with one; a list of web site that provide additional information, including one operated by the author (www.rosary101.com , which has more chapters from the book available for viewing); instructions for making your own rosary; and encyclical published during the year of the rosary (one of the last documents drafted by Pope John Paul II). The is a great gift to people who are struggling with spiritual dryness, spiritual seekers looking for new ways to pray, or people who recently return to or enter a church. I have found it to be an immeasurable source of encouragement during difficult times, for helping me retain my faith and strongly recommend it to any one open to learning about powerful Christian prayer.  Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful: Moving and real...a treasure, February 18, 2004 By  Jackie Tortorella - See all my reviews       For those of us wanting to connect more with our faith and improve our prayer life, this book is truly inspirational. The people who have shared their stories here have given so much to the readers who are transported to their worlds. If you love the Rosary, this is the book for you. If you wonder why other people are so wrapped up it and it doesn't appeal to you, then this book is even more for you!  Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful: "Something to hold on to...", October 31, 2003 By  Kathleen C. Griffin (Bronx NY) - See all my reviews    The "inspirational" stories range from the gooily sentimental and self-centered to the embarassingly erroneous. One writer claims Mother Seton had a devotion to the "Miraculous" Medal, though she died in 1821 and Our Lady of the Medal appeared in 1830! Many writers are very unfamiliar with Catholicism in general, and at least one talks of a discredited apparition of Our Lady. There are some good things in the Appendices. Otherwise, it reads like "Touched by an Angel" meets "Highway to Heaven." I recommend instead Maisie Ward's _The Splendor of the Rosary_, written at the end of WW II. There a shell-shocked non-Catholic describes the rosary as "something to hold on to...," as Caryll Houselander prays "lying flat on the floor with the house rocking and black smoke all around."  Comment (1) | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)