The Life of Mary as Seen by the Mystics: From the Revelations of St. Elizabeth of Schoenau, St. Bridget of Sweden, Ven. Mother Mary of Agreda and Ven. Anne Catherine Emmerich

Description

A masterpiece that combines the visions of four great Catholic mystics into one coherent story on the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Based primarily on the famous revelations of Ven. Anne Catherine Emmerich and Ven. Mary of Agreda, it also includes many episodes described in the writings of St. Bridget of Sweden and St. Elizabeth of Schenau. To read this book, therefore, is to share in the magnificent visions granted to four of the most priviledged souls in the history of the Church.In complete harmony with the Gospel story, this book reads like a masterfully written novel. It includes such fascinating details as the birth and infancy of Mary, her espousal to St. Joseph and her Assumption into Heaven where she was crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth.For young and old alike, The Life of Mary As Seen by the Mystics will forever impress the reader with an inspiring and truly unforgettable understanding of the otherwise unknown facts concerning Mary and the Holy Family. Imprimatur. 280 pgs,

Q. Why did Our Lady marry? A: Because her parents died and young girls' service in the Temple was not perpetual.

I love how he portrays Our Mother describing her vow of virginity for the first time to her husband:

My lord and spouse, our Creator has manifested His mercy to us in choosing us to serve Him together. I consider myself more indebted to Him than all other creatures, for while meriting less, I have received from His hand more than they. As a child, therefore, being compelled by the force of this truth, which His divine light made known to me, I consecrated myself to God by a solemn vow of perpetual chastity in body and soul.

In all humility (humility=truth!) she realizes she has received more grace, and this is the reason for her vow! (Sts. Mary & Joseph had a true marriage because they took private vows of virginity independently of each other before marrying; cf. Super Sent. , lib. 4 d. 30 q. 2 a. 1 qc. 2 ad 2.)

ch. 7, preparation for the annunciation:

On each of the following six days [of her novena in preparation for the Annunciation] she not only received an infused knowledge of the various works of God on the corresponding day of Creation, but she was also given comprehension and power over the elements of nature, such as the stars, winds, waters, minerals, plants and animals, although she never thereafter used this power for herself, because she was too humble and she knew the value of suffering.