Companion to the Feasts of Mary - J.B. Midgley - CTS Companions Series

Companion to the Feasts of Mary
CTS Companions Series
J.B. Midgley
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781860820557
CTS Booklet DO656


This is eight volume by J.B. Midgely that I have read and the third in the companions series. I have read almost hundred books from The Catholic Truth Society over the last few years. Some are incredible reads, some are excellent, and all have been good and profitable reads. Lately I have become fascinated with the works of Midgley. I have a friend who calls me a ‘completionist’ in that when I find an author that I really like I try to read everything they have written. This is now the case with Midgely, I believe he has published 28 books, and 26 of them are with the Catholic Truth Society. Most of those books are either in the ‘Great Saints Series’ or like this one the ‘Companions Series’. This book was originally published in 199 and as of writing this review there is no eBook edition available. I can state that this particular volume is another excellent read, so much information about Marian Feasts. The description of this book is:

“This handy Companion is designed to accompany the reader through the various feats of the Virgin Mary as they occur during the church year. Here you will find helpful historical background to the feasts, as well as Church teaching, scripture passages, spiritual writings and devotions. Where is Mary’s place in the Christian journey? Why does the Church celebrate these feasts? These questions are richly answered here in this true treasure chest finely collected and edited by Mr. J.B. Midgley for the CTS.”

I would completely agree, this volume is a treasure and it is finely written and edited. Midgley has created a wonderful little companion. I have read it cover to cover, but plan on leaving it on my bedside table and following the feats around the church year and rereading those chapters.

The chapters in this volume are:

Introduction

Feasts of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, January 1st
The Presentation of the Lord, February 2nd
The annunciation of the Lord, March 25th 
The Visitation, may 31st
The Immaculate Heart of Mary, After Pentecost
The Assumption, August 15th
Our Lady Queen and Mother, August 22nd
Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, September 8th
Our Lady of Sorrows, September 15th
Our Lady of the Rosary, October 7th
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, November 21st
The Immaculate Conception, December 8th 
The Holy Family, Octave of Christmas or December 30th 

Commemorations
Our Lady of Lourdes, February 11th
Our Lady of Fatima, May 13th
Our lady of Mount Carmel, July 16th
Our Lady of Ransom, September 24th

Feasts in the order of Mary’s Life

In this volume Midgley draws heavily from the writings of Saint Pope Paul VI and Saint pope John Paul II. But most of the source material comes from scriptures, the Church Fathers, and the liturgy. Most of the feast days have between 4 and 6 pages dedicated to them. Where one of the commemorations has just a single page. This volume is an excellent introduction to Mary, and her place in the church year. Through that we grow in understanding about her role in salvation history. And Her continued role to help lead, guide and point us towards her son. For as she said at the wedding feast in Cana “Do as he says” she continues to say the same to us and points us ever towards her son. It is an excellent read. 

I only wish there was an index or a bibliography in this book. But other than that I have no complaints about this book, any in the series or any that I have read by Midgley for that matter. Another great read from the pen of J.B. Midgley and from the Catholic Truth Society.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Books by J.B. Midgley:
Advent & Christmastide with the Saints
Antonio Rosmini
Benedict - Patron of Europe
Bernard of Clairvaux – CTS Great Saints
Charles Borromeo  - CTS Great Saints
Companion to St. Joseph
Companion to the Feasts of Mary
Companion to Saint Peter
Companion to Saint Paul
Companion to the Angels
Companion to the Feasts of Our Lord
Companion to the Passion of Our Lord
Dominic - CTS Great Saints
George: Patron of England - CTS Great Saints
Dewi Sant: St David Patron of Wales
Francis de Sales – CTS Great Saints
John Baptist de La Salle – CTS Great Saints
John Vianney – CTS Great Saints
Lent with the Saints
Nurturing the Young
Robert Bellarmine
Saint John the Baptist 
Stations of the Cross and Resurrection with the Saints
The Eucharist with the Saints
The Four Evangelists
Thomas Becket – CTS Saints of the Isles
Vincent de Paul – CTS Great Saints
Witchcraft, Sorcery and Magic
…

Contributed to:
First Fridays and First Saturdays The Devotions Explained 
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Other books in the CTS Companions Series:
Companion to St. Joseph – J.B. Midgley
Companion to the Feasts of Mary – J.B. Midgley
Companion to Saint Peter – J.B. Midgley
Companion to Saint Paul – J.B. Midgley
Companion to the Angels – J.B. Midgley
Companion to the Feasts of Our Lord - J.B. Midgley
Companion to the Passion of Our Lord – J.B. Midgley
Companion to the Order of the Mass - Mgr Bruce Harbert
Companion to Reading the Old Testament – Adrian Graffy
Companion to Reading the New Testament – Adrian Graffy
Companion to Praying with the Bible – Z. Mattam
New Companion to Advent & Christmastide - CTS
New Companion to Prayer - Celia Wolf-Devine
New Companion to Lent - CTS
...