Operator's Manual for Mk1 Rosary Beads: CMA-US-1-0-1
Michael Schiavone
Morgan Lloyd
ISBN 9798316187959
Wow what an excellent little volume. I love this book and hope it will be the first in a series. But more about that below in the review.
The description of this volume is:
“There is little doubt that the Holy Rosary is one of the most powerful weapons for use in spiritual warfare. As with every other weapon system in use by our military, a well-written tech manual is essential for helping service men and women properly utilize their weapon. Designed for Catholic military members, veterans, and enthusiasts, this guide delivers precise instructions for wielding the Holy Rosary in battle. Contains scripture and custom mystery reflections for all 20 mysteries—Joyful to Glorious. Each reflection ties themes of service, courage, and sacrifice to the modern warrior’s journey, blending discipline with devotion. Published by the Catholic Military Apostolate of the United States, this manual arms you for spiritual combat, in the field or at home.”
The section and chapters are:
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION
Section I. General Information
II. Equipment Description
CHAPTER 2. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Section I. Operation Under Usual Conditions
II. Conditions for Long-Term Use
APPENDIX A. MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY
Section
I. Joyful
II. Luminous
III. Sorrowful
IV. Glorious
This volume begins with a warning, it states:
“Users of the Holy Rosary have been known to receive unusually high levels of grace and special protection from the Blessed Mother.
Other effects include: flourishing of virtue and good works, mercy from God, withdrawal of the hearts of men from the love the world and it vanities, and lifting of the desires of eternal things.”
And from there it just gets better. The volume starts with brief history, overview of the physical Rosary. The next section outlines the prayers and a table with the 20 mysteries, and a list of the typical mysteries for each day of the week. This if followed by the appendix which outlines the 20 mysteries. Each mystery contains the title, a fruit, a scripture and a meditation. A sample mystery is:
“Section III. SORROWFUL.
A-11. THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN.
a. Fruit: Conformity to God’s will.
b. Scripture: He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass by him; he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will.” –Mark 14:35-36
c. Meditation: On the eve of a battle with his full humanity, simultaneously descended to the darkest depths of fearing what was to come and ascended to the height of courage and trust in the Father’s divine will, Christ drew on the Father’s strength fully knowing what he would win with his sacrifice out of total love. In a profession where we prepare daily for warfare, both human and spiritual, let us imitate Jesus in his total dependence and trust in the Father.”
At the end of the volume we are informed that:
“Meditations in this book were written by the following members of the CMA-US National Board:
Joyful – CPT Morgan Lloyd
Luminous – LCDR Michael Schiavone
Sorrowful – SSgt. Nicholas Cammaroto
Glorious – Col. Chris DiNote
Without the hard work and creativity of these members, this book would not have been possible.”
I appreciate the work in creating this volume. It is a great resource for your spiritual life.
This is a wonderful little volume. My son who is 16 loves it. He loves especially that it is written and designed as a standard military manual. The reflections are well written and will be able to be used again and again. It is a booklet we will both use often. I used it the last few days with the audio version of the Rosary with Mark Wahlberg on Hallo and paused for each decade, it was awesome. But the book is excellent on its own as well.
We loved this manual and how it will be followed up with others in the same style. I can picture having it, a Stations of The Cross, a Divine Mercy Chaplet … in my prayer corner. I can only hope it is the first in a series. An excellent little Rosary Manual I can easily recommend.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2025 Catholic Reading Plan!
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