Book: The Romero Rosary

Archbishop John Wilson begins this beautiful devotional book wondering whether people have picked it up because they love the holy Rosary or because they love St Oscar Romero or because, like Archbishop Wilson, they love both.

I picked it up because I love St Oscar Romero. He played a major role in my decision to join the Roman Catholic Church in 1982, when I was 22. I had learnt about Oscar Romero while I was at university, immersing myself in the struggle for justice in Latin America. He has remained an inspiration to me ever since.

I also encountered the Rosary at university, but over the years I have become a stranger to it. The Romero Rosary encourages me to take it up again because it sets the praying of the Rosary in the context of St Oscar Romero's proclamation of the Gospel of Christ in a way that takes full account of the injustices of the world and our duty to address them.

The book begins with a short biography of Romero, an analysis of his impact and legacy, and an explanation of what Mary and the Rosary meant to the saint. It then explains the Rosary, and how to pray it, for those who may not have used it before.

It includes not only the traditional Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries, but the Mysteries of Light (Jesus's Baptism, the Miracle at the Wedding Feast at Cana, the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, the Transfiguration and the Institution of the Eucharist) proposed by Pope St John Paul II and new 'Romero Mysteries' devised by Archbishop Wilson himself. These gather fifteen other events from Jesus's ministry into Mysteries of Charity, Mysteries of Compassion and Mercy and Mysteries of Justice and Peace.

Each Mystery includes a short scripture passage, usually summarised, then quotations from homilies of St Oscar Romero, questions for reflection, and a final prayer. The quotations from St Oscar's homilies are extraordinarily well chosen to illuminate the Mystery in question. The final prayers bring us back time and again to the need to see Christ in the poor and oppressed and to ensure that we are moved to take practical action to serve Christ in them. Intense prayer strengthens us for practical action.

This book moved and inspired me and I hope it will you, too.

The Romero Rosary - praying the mysteries of faith with Our Lady and St Oscar Romero by Archbishop John Wilson is published by Pauline Books, Paperback, 159 pages, ISBN 9781904785866, £10.99, Published 17 December 2024.