Catherine Odell
Our Sunday Visitor
ISBN 9781612781259
eISBN 9781306066938
ASIN B006L8FS66
This book was first published in 1985, was revised in 1995 and again in 2010. I am glad they changed the cover the last time it was revised as I would not likely have picked it up and looked at it with the red and black cover. The chapters in the latest edition of the book are:
Preface
1. Who Is Mary?
2. Why Does Mary Come?
3. The Church and Apparitions
4. The Apparitions at Guadalupe, Mexico, 1531
5. The Apparitions at Laus, France, 1664-1718
6. The Apparitions on the Rue du Bac, Paris, France, 1830
7. The Apparition at La Salette, France, 1846
8. The Apparitions at Lourdes, France, 1858
9. The Apparition at Pontmain, France, 1871
10. The Apparition at Knock, Ireland, 1879
11. The Apparitions at Fátima, Portugal, 1917
12. The Apparitions at Beauraing, Belgium, 1932-33
13. The Apparitions at Banneux, Belgium, 1933
14. The Messages of Akita, Japan, 1973-81
15. The Alleged Apparitions at Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1981-?
16. The Apparitions at Kibeho, Rwanda, 1981-89
17. The Apparitions at San Nicolás, Argentina, 1983-90
18. The Apparitions at Betania, Venezuela, 1984
Bibliography
Typically, when I look at a book on Marian apparitions I often look at the chapter on Knock first. I think in part this is because of my Irish heritage. And maybe because it is not as famous as Fatima or Lourdes, for some reason I have always been drawn to the story of Knock. This chapter is well written, and concludes with these words:
"On a dreary August night, during a sad century, the Virgin Mary had come to comfort the downtrodden Irish. It was a blessing, and the Irish had never concerned themselves with analyzing blessings. In Gaelic, they simply thanked heaven for it. "Cead mile failte!" as one believer said - "A hundred thousand thanks!""
One of the great things about this book is it gives equal weight to each of the apparitions. Each chapter is between 8-10 pages in length. I was surprised by the inclusion of Medjugorje, even the title of this chapter is 'The Alleged Apparitions at Medjugorje' And I know that in the late 80's and early 90's when I was in university I was fascinated with this apparent appearance. And know many people personally who have had experiences surrounding events there. But With the current pope and the previous two having reservations regarding this event, I was very surprised it made the list.
This book does a great job of introducing readers to 15 of the documented apparitions of Mary. They span from 1531-1984. For me it will serve as a jumping off point. There were a number of appearances I was unfamiliar with. It is very well written and is easily accessible. Catherine Odell has done a great job examining these events and devotions and presenting them to us. A great read.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2018 Catholic Reading Plan!
Books by Catherine Odell:
Angels of the Lord: 365 Reflections on Our Heavenly Guardians
On Pilgrimage
Pepper Frannie
Advent Meditations with Saint Faustina
Father Solanus Casey, Revised and Updated
Those Who Saw Her: Apparitions of Mary
Solanus Casey: The Story of Father Solanus
Faustina: The Apostle of Divine Mercy
Praying the Rosary for Intercession
Your One-Stop Guide to Patron Saints
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1 comment:
Thank you. I will be purchasing the book. Thank you also for the 2018 Reading List. Specially interested in the one about Don Alvaro.
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