A Mary Moment Monday post
Late last week, someone emailed me and asked me a question I can’t resist sharing:
Do you have a favourite Mary book that if your good friend just discovered Mary said to you I want to learn more and you would just HAVE to share it with her?
In fact, I do! Not just one, but FOUR.
The Glories of Mary, by St. Alphonsus Liguori
It’s a classic for a reason, and it’s not hard reading, which is what I expected. Maybe I have a good translation, or something, but I really and truly loved this book.
I wrote my thoughts and review of it at the end of this post.
The Reed of God, by Caryll Houselander
Another classic, again for a reason. It’s melodic in its writing and beautiful, plain and simple. Takes you deeper into Mary as a person and as a larger idea, somehow without diminishing anything.
I shared excerpts recently here and here.
Mark Shea’s 3-volume set: Mary, Mother of the Son
Shea is a masterful writer, and he’s so approachable in his writing. He covers the theology in a way that didn’t make my eyes cross and he made me think about so many things I would have never considered before. Absolutely love love LOVE this series. I reviewed the series at CatholicMom.com a while back.
Though these books are currently out of print (a monstrosity and horror, because they are must-reads), I have it on good authority that they will be coming out sometime in a single volume. Don’t worry, I’ll promote it like crazy once I have details!
Mary and the Christian Life, by Amy Welborn
Short, to the point, and wonderful. It’s simply put but deeply thought out. I love it. I raved about it over at CatholicMom.com, and I stand by everything I said there. One of the best Mary books I’ve read. It’s out of print, but available as a free pdf here.
Your turn:
What’s your favorite Mary book? What would you recommend if someone emailed and asked you this question?
**A note about the groovy logo: it’s thanks to Jeff Young and Dorian Speed that I have it. Dorian made a statue of mine into a drawing, and Jeff used that as part of the logo on my author site.
I cannot wait to hear that Mark Shea has re-released as I can only track down book one and two………Even when I am not trying to find Mary, God keeps dropping her back in front of me to learn from. I am so excited about your list of four books! Am already 40 pages into the Amy Welborn one.Thanks for sharing Sarah!
Kathryn, his books are truly wonderful. 🙂
God has a way of making sure we focus on what we need to, doesn’t he? Have had the SAME experience, over and over and OVER, with Mary. 🙂
Thank you for your list! I am adding all of these to my to-read list! My favorite Mary book is “33 Days to Morning Glory” by Fr. Michael Gaitley. It was a turning point for me in my relationship with and devotion to Our Blessed Mother …
Oh yes!!! I do love that book. It would have to be #5. I am due to write a review about it…sometime…LOVED IT. 🙂 Thanks for reminding me!
I cannot tell you how fantastically timed this list is! I was *just* saying to a friend that I wish I could get my hands on a biography of Mary – with all the bits and pieces we know about her in one place. Thank you, thank you for this! Now the only problem I have is picking which one to start with . . .
Glad to help, Victoria. Start with Amy Welborn’s book. It’s an easy and quick read, will get you ready for the Liguori book. 🙂
I loved Mary and Me. It was great and have passed it along to good friends and have it on my shelf to read over and over.
Yes, that’s a great one too! Agreed!