Here’s a small but powerful spiritual tool to check out this Easter season:

Matt Swaim’s new Book, The Eucharist and the Rosary: Mystery, Meditation, Power, Prayer, is an unassuming little volume that packs a punch.

The book is a quick read, but it’s the kind of resource you will want to keep on hand for reference during prayer time, especially the Rosary. Chapter by chapter, Swaim offers a pithy reflection on each mystery of the Rosary with thoughts about how it relates to the Eucharist and the Mass. After reading it, I have found myself considering his reflections both during the Rosary and during Mass and approaching both with fresh perspective.

While it’s a great read for people of all ages, I think young Catholics especially might benefit from The Eucharist and the Rosary.

At the end of each chapter are three meaty reflection questions that both review the chapter’s content and invite further reflection. As I read these, I couldn’t help but think what a useful tool these chapters and questions would make for Catholic teens’ discussion groups or religious education. I know I’m going to make sure my teens read this one!

The book also has two useful appendices. The first is titled “Prayers for Meditating Upon the Mysteries of the Rosary in the Context of the Mass.” In the single-paragraph entries for each of the mysteries of the Rosary, Swaim summarizes the content from each of his chapters. Once you’ve read the book, these would be very useful to review before Mass in order to remind yourself of the points made in the book’s chapters.

The second appendix, “Praying the Rosary as a New Catholic,” addresses many of the hesitations converts (and non-Catholics) have with regard to Mary and rote prayer. Swaim’s perspective as a convert himself is both convincing and real.

The Eucharist and the Rosary: Mystery, Meditation, Power, Prayer would make a great gift for yourself or someone you love this Easter season. Enrich your spiritual library with this little book—I think Jesus and Mary would approve.