Book Reviews and More: Mary Mysteries of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Francesca Aran Murphy

Monday, 11 February 2019

Mary Mysteries of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Francesca Aran Murphy - CTS Deeper Christianity Series

Mary:
Mysteries of the Blessed Virgin Mary
CTS Deeper Christianity Series
Francesca Aran Murphy
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781860824227
eISBN 9781784693466
ASIN B073FMGTHK
CTS Booklet SP17

I have now read over 50 books and booklets from the Catholic Truth Society over the last year. I first discovered them by tracking down out of print books by Irish author Alice Curtayne. From there have jumped off and read numerous books in several series and have over 100 in my wish list of books to be read. I have read CTS books that have been out of print for over 100 years, and some published in the last few months. All the books I have read have been rated 4 or 5 stars out of 5. And this one is a very solid 5 stars! This volume is the fourth I have read in the Deeper Christianity Series, and every time I prepare a review I stumble across another volume or 2 in this series. There are currently 20 in the series that I have found, 16 are in print, and 15 are available as eBooks.

With each volume I finish in this series, I find that I am more eager to read the next. I have taken to alternating reading this series and another by CTS as a way of slowing down my progress a bit, least I devour the whole series and not get around to reviewing it. The specific chapters in this volume are:

The Practice of Marian Devotion
Apparitions, Hymns and Feasts
The Theology of Marian Devotion
Mary & Christian Faith
Mary’s Intercession

This volume is a little primer on Marian devotions. It is part history, part theology, and part prayers. Considering the length of this volume it packs a lot of useful information. I have read books five or six times the length of this that were not nearly as useful. This book is easily accessible. It is written at a high school reading level but could be read to youth. The ‘Further Reading’ section is an excellent resource, it breaks the recommendations into three sections:

On the Rosary
On the Theology of Marian Devotion
Other Accessible Books Include

Francesca Aran Murphy has 25 distinct works that I have been able to find and list, and yet this is the only one for the Catholic Truth Society. I loved the clarity and succinctness of the writing and will likely track down others by the author to read. And I know for a certainty that I will read all the books I can track down in the Deeper Christianity Series from the Catholic Truth Society.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2019 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Books in the Deeper Christianity Series:

7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit
8 Deadly Sins Learning to Defend the Life of Grace

Art and Prayer

Catholic Architecture
Christian Fasting Disciplining the Body, Awakening the Spirit

Christian Meaning of Time

Deepening Prayer Life Defined by Prayer

Depths of Scripture
Desire & Delight
Faith, Hope and Love The Theological Virtues
Fruits of the Holy Spirit Living a Happy Life
Icons
Lectio Divina Spiritual Reading of the Bible
Kingdom of God