First, this is a beautiful little book - which is, of course, appropriate. It's lovely soft, flexible leather (or feels like leather), that will easily fit into a coat pocket or your purse; it's the right size for my (smallish) adult hands. It's a book that you want to open, to hold, to approach again and again - again, absolutely appropriate.
I shouldn't say this, because I have not investigated every book about Marian devotion, but I'll say it anyway: if I wanted to buy ONE book to help someone come to know Mary, appreciate Mary, and enter into more 'relationship' with Mary, I'd get this book. It would be an excellent choice for a new Catholic convert, especially for someone for whom the 'Mary issue' is still something of a struggle or something alien. It contains enough 'apologetic' material to say, 'There is a reasonable explanation for all this' without being an apologetics book. Anyone who finds the simple explanations intriguing can always explore further.
I'd definitely recommend 'looking inside' to see the Table of Contents, if it's available. The book is divided into two parts: Preparing for Marian Devotion, which explains Mary in God's Plan, Marian Doctrines, Historical Highlights of Marian Devotion, and Marian Devotion in Practice. Each of these sections is small and easily digested; I took it to daily Mass with me and read a few of the short texts after Mass each day.
The second and larger part is Aids for Marian Devotion. Here you get teachings on Marian devotion, which I found a welcome 'moderate' approach. I have read Louis de Montfort and found him overwhelming - a bit like the 'Marian' version of the guy on the street who gets in your face and insists that you 'need to be saved, NOW.' I live in a country with strong Marian devotion, and some de Montfort-formed people are so extreme as to be very off-putting. The texts in this book have the sanity and sense that one expects from nuanced Church documents - again, excellent for anyone who is 'Mary-shy' because of coming from an anti-Mary background or who has been put off by Marian extremists.
There's a wonderful section on Mary in Scripture - again helpful for people coming from a Bible-only background. Reading through this book - everything in short, manageable pieces - is like getting a thorough overview of Mary in the Scriptures, Mary in the lives of saints and religious, Marian devotions and miracles over history and around the world. Then you come to Marian prayers - including some with the Spanish and Latin versions. There's something for everyone here, for every style of prayer. Especially helpful for me (I admit having the most wandering mind during the Rosary) are the short texts connected to each mystery of the Rosary, as well as a list of scriptural meditations (you have to look up the texts yourself) for each mystery. There are probably prayers here that you've never heard of before - a real treasury. There are short texts and prayers connected with every Marian Feast in the calendar as well as selections of poetry (nothing cheesy or trite).
A charming, and sadly neglected Marian devotion is the crowning of Mary's statue in May. This book gives you the Hymn for crowning, and then a delightful list of flowers that have been associated with the Blessed Virgin over the centuries. I knew a few - like marigolds ('Mary's Gold') and Lady Slipper, but had no idea how many other flowers had alternative Marian names or were associated with Mary. This list invites plenty of exploration for children, gardeners, nature loves and simply trivia or history buffs. Home-schooling parents could create a wonderfully educational project from researching the flowers to growing them and having your own Marian crowning at home.
This book is a wonderful compendium of Marian teaching, tradition and prayer; I really can't imagine needing any other book for Marian devotion. At the same time, it is a good launching point if you want to go deeper into teachings about Mary (it may introduce you to saints or papal documents you didn't know about). Great for cradle Catholics, for seminarians, for converts - even for open-minded non-Catholics who are willing to explore Marian devotion without prejudice. Just don't lend them your copy - you might not get it back.
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Reviews with images
Ave Maria, Mater Dei!
I understand so much more about Holy Mother Mary now, and I have never loved her more. Great prayers inside and much resource and information about what we believe about her and where our beliefs come from. If you are skeptical about Mary I recommend you check out this book! Pray for us now, and at the hour of our death!
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Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2017
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2023
I understand so much more about Holy Mother Mary now, and I have never loved her more. Great prayers inside and much resource and information about what we believe about her and where our beliefs come from. If you are skeptical about Mary I recommend you check out this book! Pray for us now, and at the hour of our death!
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Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2021
A perfect book for the holy soul and worth more than any gold.
Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2021
I liked that this book can help my soul and spirit rise to heaven so I may be at peace with myself and this world. This is book is a blessing to own to strengthen my good soul. Bless you from your halos down to your good souls and toes for making her known. Amen.
Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2021
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Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2021
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2017
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2022
Top reviews from other countries
P. MCPHAIL
One of the best crafted devotional books I ever owned
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 4, 2017