Beginning in the twelfth century, clergy and laity alike started wondering with intensity about the historical and developmental details of Jesus' early life. Was the Christ Child like other children, whose characteristics and capabilities depended on their age? Was he sweet and tender, or formidable and powerful? Not finding sufficient information in the Gospels, which are almost completely silent about Jesus' childhood, medieval Christians turned to centuries-old apocryphal texts for answers. In The Quest for the Christ Child in the Later Middle Ages, Mary Dzon demonstrates how these apocryphal legends fostered a vibrant and creative medieval piety. Popular tales about the Christ Child entertained the laity and at the same time were reviled by some members of the intellectual elite of the church. In either case, such legends, so persistent, left their mark on theological, devotional, and literary texts. The Cistercian abbot Aelred of Rievaulx urged his monastic readers to imitate the Christ Child's development through spiritual growth; Francis of Assisi encouraged his followers to emulate the Christ Child's poverty and rusticity; Thomas Aquinas, for his part, believed that apocryphal stories about the Christ Child would encourage youths to be presumptuous, while Birgitta of Sweden provided pious alternatives in her many Marian revelations. Through close readings of such writings, Dzon explores the continued transmission and appeal of apocryphal legends throughout the Middle Ages and demonstrates the significant impact that the Christ Child had in shaping the medieval religious imagination.
Growing closer to the Blessed Virgin Mary can have a profound impact on your spiritual life. Your deeper and more personal relationship with the Blessed Mother can start today in Every Day with Mary. Throughout the year you’ll ponder the fruits of the Holy Spirit in the Mary’s life – peace, love, surrender, hope, gentleness, joy, serenity, self-control, generosity, gratitude, patience, faithfulness, and abundance – with a timely and relevant meditation perfect for your busy life. You’ll begin with a quote from Scripture, followed by a brief reflection, and a question or act to consider, and a short prayer to Mary to carry through your day. Every Day with Mary is sure to touch your heart, nourish your soul, and lead you into a deeper relationship with Christ through the intercession of his mother.
In her lifetime, Mary, the mother of Jesus of Nazareth, took many journeys. Between her first journey to Jerusalem for her Presentation when she was four years old, and her last journey to Jerusalem a year and a half before her death, Mary traveled throughout the Holy Land and into Egypt. Following in the footsteps of her son, she witnessed his ministry as he taught and healed. When he was condemned to death, she followed him to the foot of the cross. In The Journeys of Mary Part III, the story that is told in Part I and continued in Part II are brought to conclusion. In The Journeys of Mary Part I, St. John, in order to protect Mary from persecution, leaves with Leah, her maidservant, and Mary for Ephesus. On that journey, Mary recalls her early life which included trips to Jutta, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Egypt, and finally Nazareth. In Part II, Mary is living in Ephesus. Mary Magdalene comes for a visit and helps Mary to create a Way of the Cross. Along with St. John, the women journey back in time and recall the agonizing passion her son suffered for the salvation of all. In Part III, Mary returns to Jerusalem with John to join the gathering of the Apostles to discuss the problems facing the Christian communities as the message of Jesus spreads throughout the known world. As she journeys to Jerusalem, Mary remembers the events that occurred during the three years of the ministry of Jesus. In Jerusalem, as she walks the Via Dolorosa, she relives his death on the cross and his Resurrection. After a final trip to Jerusalem with St. John shortly before her death, Mary returns to Ephesus. With her Assumption of body and soul into Heaven, Marys earthly journeys end. The Journeys of Mary is the story of both the interior journey Mary takes as the mother of Jesus of Nazareth, and the exterior journeys she takes as she lives out a life fulfilling the will of God.
The world’s great writings about Mary—her faith, strength and love— can become a companion for your own spiritual journey Mary, the mother of Jesus, has been revered for centuries by people from all over the world. She is a paragon of humility, righteousness and dedication, and her life as mother and prophet can serve as an example to us all. In over two hundred selections, Spiritual Writings on Mary examines the essential aspects of Mary’s role in history and in life today. Selections from influential writers, thinkers and theologians—both ancient and modern, from a wide range of Western and Eastern backgrounds—explore what life may have been like for Mary, Joseph and Jesus, and celebrate the many ways in which Mary serves as a model of holiness for all women and men; as the archetype of motherhood; and as a source of tenderness, comfort, protection and peace. Dante Alighieri Hildegard of Bingen Jalal-ud-Din Rumi Bernard of Clairvaux Birgitta of Sweden Bonaventure Sue Monk Kidd Gerard Manley Hopkins Now you can experience the power and grace of Mary even if you have no previous knowledge of Mariology. This SkyLight Illuminations edition presents the most stirring and evocative writings on Mary, conveying the ineffable love, awe, reverence and gratitude in the hearts of people all over the world for the holy mother of Jesus.
O'Neill's Original Grace provides a fresh analysis of biblical texts and explores the rich tradition and development of Marian devotion, liturgical prayer, artwork, and dogma. It invites the reader to discover how our capacity for biblical and theological understanding matures over time, correcting our perception of Mary, the second Eve and the mother of Jesus the Christ, and of the place and role of women in church and society. This exhilarating book reveals the benefit that courageous questioning can bring to the church's self-understanding and to the vital relationships between women and men. In it we gently discover that a wise and good God is our Creator, affirming us in our gendered humanity, still slowly teaching us what went on in Eden, in Nazareth, and on Calvary.
DEDICATION These personal revelations into the lives, hearts, and experiences of Those of Us Who helped to establish the Christian Dispensation, are lovingly dedicated to all the Children of God who seek peace, health, happiness, understanding, and who desire to learn THE WAY to return Home. This book is presented hoping that some of these Children of God will take courage from the realization that a few humble men and women passed through the same mental, emotional and physical trials that men face today. To this end, I have opened My Book of Memories and have written those dear revelations so that all who wish may read. Looking backward, individuals may gain the strength built from Our experiences and, looking forward, build a future of like perfection for themselves and the generations to come. Lovingly and sincerely, MOTHER MARY
The way of Mary is to follow in her footsteps. Christians of all denominations are rediscovering the significance of the mother of Jesus, as films such as The Nativity Story and The Passion of the Christ portray her life in new and startling ways. Written for a popular audience, Mary Ford-Grabowsky's new book shares the wisdom of a lifetime of devotion to Mary. These new devotions, all of them inspired by the scenes and stories of the Gospels, comment on Mary's extraordinary life on earth and momentous influence on the human heart, male or female, ever since. Arranged in a two-week cycle, each of these devotions includes meditation, reflection, prayer, visualization, and ideas for freeing the creative spirit. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES FOR FOLLOWING MARY'S PATH Day 1: The Annunciation, Day 2: The Visitation, Day 3: The Magnificat, Day 4: The Nativity, Day 5: Mary Ponders Things in Her Heart, Day 6: Simeon's Prophecy, Day 7: Meeting a Women Prophet, Day 8: Becoming Refugees, Day 9: Finding her Missing Son, Day 10: Taking Charge at Cana, Day 11: At the Cross, Day 12: Jesus Speaks to Mary from the Cross, Day 13: Waiting for the Spirit, Day 14: Receiving the Spirit at Pentecost. The new spirituality of Mary contained in this book will help readers learn that drawing closer to the mother of Jesus is a way to attain a holiness that is unlimited and a joy that can never end.
The word has the power to become incarnate without Mary. Why then did God incorporate Mary into the economy of our salvation to become the Mother of the Incarnate Word? If God out of love cannot but incarnate himself through Mary for our salvation, what does this suggest for all the graces that come to us through Jesus Christ, our sole Mediator? Is the incarnation of the Word and the Divine Motherhood of Mary and their unfathomable humility not a challenge to the pomposity of any social, political and religious status? Pride being fed by hatred has blinded many humans not to see the incomprehensible love of God and the dignity of human person made manifest in the incarnation of the Word and in particular the dignity of womanhood restored and revealed in Mary. What has love to do with all these?' Reconstructing the story of the Virgin Mary's life through passages in Scripture, poetry, prayers and inspirational narrative, Anthony Mary Mofunanya addresses her often undervalued importance in God's incarnation and redemption of Man. As the woman chosen by God to be the mother of his son, Mary not only raised Jesus for thirty years before he began his ministry, but was also his comfort and refuge during the turbulent three years before his death and resurrection. Most importantly, Mary was the new Eve, immaculately conceived to atone for Adam and Eve's fall from grace in the Garden of Eden, and predestined to be 'the masterpiece of God's creation' and the vessel for Man's salvation.
Jesus was born and raised as a Jew in first-century Palestine. A great deal of theological study has focused on the Jewish cultural and religious context of his life and ministry. It is only natural that this attention should lead us to a new approach to his mother, Mary of Nazareth. In this book, Mary Christine Athans draws on historical research, the fruits of post-Vatican II Jewish-Christian dialogue, the insights of feminist theology, and contemporary spiritual reflection to rediscover the Jewish Mary - a woman of enormous courage, strength, and prayer.
Family and faith are the cornerstones of a happy, fulfilling life. God intended it to be this way, and our memories with our loved ones can sustain us even through those times when life can be overwhelming and full of challenges. In Marys Musings, author, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother Mary Kula Zoeller shares heartfelt and inspirational stories about her family, and this touching devotional provides both humorous anecdotes and a few sad tales that will inspire fellow Christian believers to reflect on their own families and faith. Mary dwells on her life in Christ, encouraging us to recognize the power of prayer and to ask the Lord for peace and joy. Songs and scriptures also accompany Marys reflections, inviting us to turn to the Word of God and ponder Gods truth. If time is of the essence but you can relate to families, friends, and funnot to mention being together in eternitythen Marys Musings is just the devotional you can use to find daily inspiration. May God richly bless us all!
2017 Reprint of 1955 Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition software. Considered by many to be the greatest single book of Marian spirituality ever written, True Devotion to Mary is St Louis de Montfort's classic statement on the spiritual way to Jesus Christ though the Blessed Virgin Mary. Beloved by countless souls, this book sums up the entire Christian life, showing a way of holiness that is short, easy, secure, and perfect--a way of life chosen by Our Lord Himself. In this book, de Montfort explains the wonderful spiritual effects which true devotion to Mary brings about in a person's life. True Devotion to Mary attracted attention in the 20th century when in an address to the Montfort Fathers, Pope John Paul II said that reading this book had been a "decisive turning point" in his life. According to his Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae he borrowed his apostolic motto Totus Tuus from the book. In his 1987 encyclical, Redemptoris Mater the Pope cited Saint Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort as a teacher of Marian spirituality.
At age four, Mary, the mother of Jesus of Nazareth, made her first journey. Accompanied by her mother Anne, her father Joachim, her sister Mary Heli, and her niece Mary Cleophas, Mary went to Jerusalem for her Presentation to the Temple. Some of the other journeys that folowed included trips to Sephoris, Bethlehem, Matarea, and Heiropolis as well as many other trips to Jerusalem. When her son, Jesus, began his public ministry, Mary moved from Nazareth to Capharnaum. With her friends, the Holy Women, she followed Jesus as he travelled around Galilee and throughout the Holy Land. Ultimately, Mary followed Jesus to Golgotha and the foot of the cross. After the Crucifixion and Ascension, Mary relocated to Ephesus, Turkey. She travelled to Jerusalem and back again to Ephesus before ending her earthly life there. The Journeys of Mary is the story of Mary's life and the life, Passion, and death of her son. In Part I of a trilogy, Mary leaves for Ephesus. As she travels with St. John the Evangelist and her maidservant Leah, Mary reflects on her early life and the journeys she took with her husband, St. Joseph. With him as her escort, Mary travelled to visit her cousin Elizabeth in the hill country around Sephoris. As the wife of Joseph, she travelled to Bethlehem where her son was born. When the life of Jesus is threatened, Joseph takes Mary and the child to Egypt where they lived for many years until their return to Nazareth. The Journeys of Mary is the story of both the interior journey that Mary takes as the mother of Jesus and the exterior journeys she takes as she lives out her life fulfilling the will of God.
God uses all the things that happen in our lives, good and bad, to shape us into the person he wants us to be. As John 1:16 says, “From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.” If you’re looking for a short devotional book and can relate to families, friends, and fun, including multiple blessings and being together in eternity, then More Mary’s Musings is the book for you. This devotional book contains brief stories about Mary Kula Zoeller’s life—as author, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother. As a complement to her first book, Mary’s Musings, this devotional simply relates to her faith, her trust in the Lord, and the power of prayer. In addition, each story is prefaced by a verse in scripture. Mary has also included a prayer thought or two, as well as a few words of songs that came to mind while sharing her stories.
Who is Mary and why does she pray for change? Mary wants you to know “it is well in my soul.” I am blessed and highly favored with this anointing given by God to share my prayers. Father God has revealed his love and friendship to me that I should give you what he has given to me. What a beautiful friend you are to me to be willing to touch and agree. My thirty heart-filled prayers have blessed and encouraged me. Let them give you revelation to exalt God as your true friend to the end. Prayers in times of trouble and in the times of victory are shared. There is power in the prayer of intercession. Amen. Humble and courageous hopes keep you prayerful. Hallelujah! Let us share in prayer, and we will be victorious in God’s care for others. I thank Father God for you and hope these prayers will multiply your blessings. In all things, give God the glory and praise. Amen.
THE MYSTICAL CITY OF GOD: POPULAR ABRIDGEMENT: THE DIVINE HISTORY AND LIFE OF THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOD VENERABLE MARY OF AGREDA — A Catholic Classic! — Includes Illustrations of the life of Jesus — Includes an Introduction — Includes an Index and Active Table of Contents with NCX Quick Navigation Publisher: Available in Paperback: ISBN-13: 978-1-78379-063-0 Venerable Mary of Agreda reported that she received a lengthy revelation, about the terrestrial and heavenly life of Blessed Mary. That revelation was received directly from the Blessed Virgin Mary. The revelation also included information about the Blessed Virgin's relationship with the Triune God as well as the doings and Mysteries performed by Jesus as God-Man in flesh and in Spirit. The information was revealed with extensive detail in a narrative that covers the New Testament time line. The narrative was also accompanied by doctrines given by the Holy Mother on how to acquire true sanctity. It is that narrative that comprises The Mystical City of God. The work consists of 8 books in 6 volumes, this being a Popular Abridgement. She attributed her writings to visions and dictations (word by word) from the Virgin Mary. Written in elegant language, they contain both terrestrial and spiritual detail. Those details were either not known or not totally accepted at the time. These included the Immaculate Conception of Virgin Mary, the Assumption of Mary, the duties of Michael the Archangel and Gabriel the Archangel, and meticulous detail on the childhood of Jesus. Other detail that Mary of Agreda provided included the Christ's Passion, Resurrection and Ascension. Volumes: The Mystical City of God by Venerable Mary of Agreda in 4 Volumes and a Popular Abridgement: The Conception (Volume I, Part I, Books I & II in 1 book) Paperback: ISBN-13: 978-1-78379-280-1 The Incarnation (Volume II, Part II, Books III & IV in 1 book) Paperback: ISBN-13: 978-1-78379-283-2 The Transfixion (Volume III, Part II, Books V & VI in 1 book) Paperback: ISBN-13: 978-1-78379-286-3 The Coronation (Volume IV, Part III, Books VII & VIII in 1 book) Paperback: ISBN-13: 978-1-78379-289-4 The Mystical City of God: Popular Abridgement Paperback: ISBN-13: 978-1-78379-063-0 PUBLISHER: CATHOLIC WAY PUBLISHING
Allow the Mother of Jesus to teach you new ways to pray. This new series of books is designed to open up the meaning of one ancient way of Christian prayer in a relatively short amount of time. In Praying with Mary you will discover: • The mother of Jesus—in all of her simplicity and complexity. • How to prayerfully follow Mary’s footsteps toward God. “This book drew me to reflect in a new way on Mary’s distinctive choices and gifts.” —Thomas H. Smolich, SJ, President, Jesuit Conference USA “With the turn of every page, the mystery of Mary unfolds.” —Lauren Artress, Canon of Grace Cathedral and author of Walking a Sacred Path
The cult of the Christ Child flourished in late medieval Europe across lay and religious, as well as geographic and cultural boundaries. Depictions of Christ's boyhood are found throughout popular culture, visual art, and literature. The Christ Child in Medieval Culture is the first interdisciplinary investigation of how representations of the Christ Child were conceptualized and employed in this period. The contributors to this unique volume analyse depictions of the Christ Child through a variety of frameworks, including the interplay of mortality and divinity, the medieval conceit of a suffering Christ Child, and the interrelationships between Christ and other figures, including saints and ordinary children. The Christ Child in Medieval Culture synthesizes various approaches to interpreting the cultural meaning of medieval religious imagery and illuminates the significance of its most central figure.
Beginning in the twelfth century, clergy and laity alike started wondering with intensity about the historical and developmental details of Jesus' early life. Was the Christ Child like other children, whose characteristics and capabilities depended on their age? Was he sweet and tender, or formidable and powerful? Not finding sufficient information in the Gospels, which are almost completely silent about Jesus' childhood, medieval Christians turned to centuries-old apocryphal texts for answers. In The Quest for the Christ Child in the Later Middle Ages, Mary Dzon demonstrates how these apocryphal legends fostered a vibrant and creative medieval piety. Popular tales about the Christ Child entertained the laity and at the same time were reviled by some members of the intellectual elite of the church. In either case, such legends, so persistent, left their mark on theological, devotional, and literary texts. The Cistercian abbot Aelred of Rievaulx urged his monastic readers to imitate the Christ Child's development through spiritual growth; Francis of Assisi encouraged his followers to emulate the Christ Child's poverty and rusticity; Thomas Aquinas, for his part, believed that apocryphal stories about the Christ Child would encourage youths to be presumptuous, while Birgitta of Sweden provided pious alternatives in her many Marian revelations. Through close readings of such writings, Dzon explores the continued transmission and appeal of apocryphal legends throughout the Middle Ages and demonstrates the significant impact that the Christ Child had in shaping the medieval religious imagination.
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