The Holy Rosary is not a pious practice banished to the past, like prayers of other times thought of with nostalgia. Instead, the Rosary is experiencing a new Springtime. Without a doubt, this is one of the most eloquent signs of love that the young generation nourish for Jesus and his Mother, Mary. Pope Benedict XVI The Prayer of the Rosary has been central to the spiritual life of the Church for centuries, and remains as popular and cherished a form of devotion as ever, even further developing in the twenty-first century with the proclamation of the Mysteries of Light by Pope John Paul II.

Anne Vail's fascinating book tells how the Rosary evolved over the years into the form we know today. Beginning with the adoption of the rose as the symbol for Our Lady, The Story of the Rosary traces the growth in popularity of collections of prayers or 'roses' in her honour. These eventually came to be counted by beads. When particular prayers began to be associated with the Rosary based on the 'Mysteries' of the New Testament, it was to become a powerful tool for evangelization. While from Lepanto to the gates of Vienna, from Fatima to the shipyards of Gdansk, Our Lady of the Rosary has continued to play a crucial role in the Church's witness to the world. The Holy Rosary remains an inspiration for millions, through it we may relive the important and meaningful moments of salvation history, putting Christ at the centre of our lives through the contemplation and meditation of His Holy Mysteries of Joy, Light, Sorrow and Glory.

Anne Vail was born in Dorset into a naval family. She spent her childhood in various countries, finishing her education at the Sorbonne in Paris. She studied Fine Art at Southampton Art College and now lives in Hampshire. As a wife, mother and grandmother she has found Our Lady a constant companion and inspiration in daily life. Her popular guide The Shrines of Our Lady in England is also published by Gracewing.