Love and delight characterize this special book on Mary, the mother of Jesus. Eight appearances of Mary in different countries range from Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, to Our Lady of La Vang in Vietnam, to our Lady of Lourdes in France. This book shows that no matter where or how Mary appears, she is always the same mother who delights in all of God's children and who reaches out in love to draw them to her Son.
The Catholic tradition asserts that Mary has appeared to those in need around the world, even long after her time on earth had ended. In these apparitions, not only does Mary accompany the vulnerable, but she appears as part of the local community in her dress, her skin color, the language she speaks. What does this tell children about the nature of God?
Children who read this book will see Mary appear all over the world in different guises, coming in looks and language that is familiar to local cultures and communities. Ultimately, children will come to understand that God, too, is present in their lives and can be encountered through the customs and traditions of their own families, communities, and countries.
In this story, Mary's pilgrimage of faith begins in Nazareth, but it doesn't end there. Readers will see her appear to people all over the world, ultimately coming into their own lives—and sharing God's love.
Through an analytical approach, this book examines Mary throughout Scripture, breaking down exactly what has and has not been said about her and reframing who she is through scriptural truth. The feast of her nativity is a fitting time to ponder the truths of who Mary was in Scripture and in the life of Jesus, as well as who she still is today in each of our own lives. By knowing the truth of who she is, we come to better understand who we are as sons and daughters of God, and by examining commonly accepted Marian traditions, this book provides the framework to more soundly accept Mary as the mother of God and our own mother, too.
In exploring the Divine Feminine imaged in Mary, When Mary Becomes Cosmic opens us to another way to honor her—not unlike the mystics, who have traveled along this way to the depths—and helps us to explore the richness that lies in what Jung referred to as the Catholic Church's treasury of image and metaphor.
The archetypal images found in the ancient and treasured "Litany of Loreto" form the framework for this book, and enriched with quotes from a variety of spiritual writers, Richo guides us through reflections on: "Who is Mary?" and "What is the Divine Feminine?"
Finally, in the appendix, "A Retreat with Mary," the author encourages prayer with suggestions for various ways of praying with music, art, movement, silence, etc., as well as "being" with the image of Mary
Through the results of a new photographic campaign, this volume offers an unprecedented and surprising closeness to Giotto's masterpieces. It provides a further and enchanting perspective that enriches the experience for those who have visited the Scrovegni Chapel in person, as well as offering a profound inspiration to those who have not yet done so.
