College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD) Regent Fr. Edgardo Alaurin, O.P. and former dean Jamie de los Santos launched “Mysteries of the Rosary: A Meditative Coloring Book” on Dec. 10 at the UST Museum.
The coloring book contains illustrations for each mystery of the rosary, with scriptural bases, personal reflections, and prayers written by Alaurin. De los Santos drew the illustrations.
“I came up with the idea—why not make it a book?” Alaurin told the Varsitarian. “A coloring book is one activity that could keep us busy, occupied.”
When asked what inspired a coloring book based on the rosary, he pointed to his identity as a Dominican.
“I’m a Dominican, so legend says that the Virgin Mary gave the rosary to St. Dominic during his preaching ministry. That’s the reason why the rosary is part of our Dominican habit,” Alaurin said.
He said he also wanted to propagate devotion to the rosary using a different approach, with the coloring book allowing readers to reflect and meditate on the mysteries through the use of imagination.
The meditative activity likewise presents Mary and God as sources of reflection in everyday life, with the coloring book serving as a reminder.
“When we meditate, it’s all the mind at work—we imagine things. However, it’s much easier to imagine when we see concrete things, such as the visual arts. Art is a very powerful instrument of religion and faith to inspire people,” he said.
Alaurin cited the Church’s long-standing use of the arts, such as paintings, sculptures, and stained-glass windows.
“God is an invisible God, you know, but God becomes more concrete when we see things through works of art,” he said.
Alaurin said he was planning to create comic strips and publish another meditative coloring book centered on Jesus’ Way of the Cross.
Alaurin and de los Santos have collaborated on several artistic projects displayed at the University, including a painting in the lobby of the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building and a commemorative mural on the first floor of the Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Alaurin has three other books published by the UST Publishing House: “Nuestra Señora de Salvacion: History, Theology, Piety” (2019), “Cargasus: The Flying Carabo” (2020), and “Sports in the Philippines: History, Values, Spirituality” (2021). Kirsten Therese C. Barrameda and Charlize Ann D. Lavastida
