A mother and son’s love for Our Lady transformed a humble publishing effort into a worldwide apostolate of prayer — The Secret of the Rosary reborn for the modern age through Helen and Bud Howell.
St. Louis de Montfort’s masterwork, The Secret of the Rosary, written in early 18th-century France, remains one of Catholicism’s most enduring spiritual guides. This treasured manual, which unveils the profound theology and practice of the Rosary, has transformed countless lives through its journey from handwritten manuscript to global spiritual classic. Its modern resurgence — rekindled through one American family’s devotion — reveals how Divine Providence often works through faithful souls who labor to preserve the Church’s perennial devotions amidst times of great change.
Origins and Early History
In 1716, just months before his death, St. Louis de Montfort completed his manuscript explaining the history, prayers, and mystical meanings of the Rosary. Known for his deep Marian devotion, the saint wrote the text to help both beginners and advanced souls grow closer to Jesus through Mary. The work circulated among French Catholic communities and was later translated into other languages, though its reach remained limited for more than two centuries.
A Family’s Divine Mission
In the mid-1960s, the book’s destiny changed through an unexpected channel. Helen Howell, a convert to Catholicism, and her son, J. Bruce “Bud” Howell, discovered the 1954 hardcover edition published by the Montfort Fathers. Distressed by the growing confusion in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, the Howells saw in this timeless work a means to rekindle authentic Catholic devotion and to strengthen souls through Our Lady’s Rosary. They believed the faithful needed clear, traditional teaching and a return to prayer — the very message The Secret of the Rosary embodies.
The Apostolate Begins
The editions gained their now-famous cover image when Bud discovered a striking portrayal of Our Lady of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary at a St. Thomas School rummage sale — a providential find that would become iconic.
A Legacy Continues
Between 1965 and 1969, the Howells produced five editions of their paperback version. Helen’s friendship with Thomas A. Nelson, founder of TAN Publishers, proved pivotal for the book’s future. Recognizing TAN’s growing reach and its commitment to traditional Catholic publishing, Helen arranged for TAN to assume publication in October 1970. This ensured that The Secret of the Rosary would continue to reach souls throughout the world while remaining faithful to the Church’s timeless spirituality.
Under TAN’s stewardship, The Secret of the Rosary has flourished, with over thirty printings reaching more than 5.3 million readers worldwide. The book continues to fulfill its original mission: to draw souls into the mysteries of Christ through the intercession of His Blessed Mother.
Impact and Spiritual Legacy
The influence of The Secret of the Rosary extends far beyond statistics. It has renewed the Rosary devotion in countless parishes, inspired prayer groups, and offered spiritual strength to those seeking to hold fast to the faith handed down through the ages.
Helen and Bud Howell’s labor of love remains a shining example of how Divine Providence can use the dedication of ordinary believers to preserve the treasures of tradition for future generations.
May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
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