SPEAK, LORD, I AM LISTENING: A ROSARY BOOK, by Christine Haapala, illustrated by Gus Muller. Suffering Servant Scriptorum (Fairfax, Va., 2001, 2004).

Reviewed by Angela E. Pometto
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 7/29/04)

Pope John Paul II said in "Rosarium Virginis Mariae" that there is a crisis of the rosary that it is not being taught to the younger generation. Speak, Lord, I am Listening, listed at number five in the Catholic best seller list for children and young adults, is trying to change that. The meditation guide uses scripture verses and theologically deep, beautiful water color paintings to help children of all ages enter into the mysteries of the rosary.

While the second edition of the book, published recently to include the luminous mysteries, the book has been around since 2001.

Christine Haapala, author, said that praying the rosary is a two-fold action: vocal prayer and mental prayer.

"They’re called mysteries because they’re hard to understand," said Haapala, a member of Holy Spirit Parish in Annandale. Part of her preparation for this book was to spend time with sacred Scripture to synthesize the mysteries.

"I always wanted to do a rosary book for children, but I never understood what it would take," Haapala said.

The verse selection was critical as it would need to help children understand the mystery and not confuse them. Haapala included the biblical reference so that readers can go to Scripture and learn more. The verses were kept short and chosen from the whole of Scripture, not just from the Gospels.

The book was intended for students preparing for first Communion. Although it was designed for second-graders, people of all ages can enjoy it. Young children can look at it as a picture book, and adults can use it as a guide and discussion-starter. For those in RCIA classes, it can be a helpful glimpse into the traditional Catholic prayer life. On the flip side, Catholics are encouraged to delve more deeply into the Bible, said Haapala.

Artist Gus Muller, who has illustrated several other books and sold paintings in Virginia, New Jersey and Maryland, said he listened to the advice from Haapala and the book’s spiritual director, Father Michael Duesterhaus. He knew the pictures were an important part of the book.

Muller felt that the paintings were inspired by the Holy Spirit who was a "guiding hand" in the art. He spent preparation time studying the Bible.

"The paintings came out better than I expected for some reason," Muller said. Several of the mysteries stand out through the art that sheds light on the theological depth involved in the prayer.

In the mystery of the visitation, Muller, also a parishioner at Holy Spirit Parish, added three blue lines to Mary’s white veil creating an immediate connection to Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

"I respect Mother Teresa so much," Muller said.

During the sorrowful mysteries, Mary is pictured alongside Jesus. It was Mary’s call to follow her Son to the cross and suffer spiritually alongside Him. Haapala said that everyone has suffering to bear, and the call is to align that suffering with what Mary suffered on her path to Calvary.

The resurrection picture was painted with the original publication of the book in 2001, before the luminous mysteries. Back then, there was no mystery for the Eucharist, and Haapala wanted it included. Her goal was to have a picture that embodied a three-fold outline of what Catholics believe: Jesus Christ is risen; He manifests Himself, body and soul, in the Eucharist; in and through the work of the Church, headed by the pope.

"You can’t get any simpler than that, but it is also so complex," Haapala said. She feels the image was somewhat prophetic in that it united the rosary to the pope and the Eucharist, before he declared it an integral part of the prayer.

Another theologically significant image is of the institution of the Eucharist. The image includes a modern day priest offering Mass. Haapala noticed that his hands, though, appear to have the stigmata. When asked, Muller said the color was meant to be a shadow, but the effect is still there.

"The priest is in persona Christi, acting as the person of Christ at the sacrifice," Haapala said.

In the mystery of the assumption into heaven, the image is of Our Lady of Fatima. Haapala thinks this is significant, because the visionaries at Fatima had been praying a shortcut version of the rosary — just saying the name of the prayer instead of the entire prayer. But this can also be said of people who are merely repeating the "Hail Mary’s" and not engaging their minds to enter into the mysteries.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, is pictured at the coronation, with a crown of 12 stars.

The frequently asked questions and study guide in the back are a starting point for discussion, Haapala said.

The book has been published by Haapala’s company, the Suffering Servant Scriptorum. After writing her first book, Haapala decided to start her own publishing company. The company has now published five books and two prayer CDs that are being distributed throughout the country. Speak, Lord, I am Listening has been selling well, Haapala said.

"The rosary is an important prayer," Haapala said, adding that this is nothing new. It has been taught by the Church for centuries.

Haapala and Muller approached the work with an attitude of dedication to excellence.

"It has to be perfect," Haapala said. The images, as well as the Scripture verses, were created and selected with the highest standards in mind. "This may be the only rosary book that a child may ever see," she said.

Speak, Lord, I am Listening is available through the Suffering Servant Scriptorum. For more information call 1-888-652-9494 or go to www.sufferingservant.com.