It begins by putting the apparitions in their historical context, that is post-revolutionary France, and looks back at the rich Catholic history of this, the “eldest daughter of the Church.” The situation at the beginning of the 19th century was not good, as anti-Christian forces, and particularly materialism, began to grow in strength, but along with great saints such as St John Vianney, and, at the beginning of the 20th century, St Thérèse, these four Marian apparitions, and particularly Lourdes, played a great part in keeping France Catholic.
A series of short chapters then follow, which deal with differing aspects of the apparitions, but with the theme of the importance of Mary’s role, before the four sections on the apparitions begin.
The first of these concerns the apparitions at Rue du Bac to Catherine Labouré in 1830, and these can really be said to have begun the modern Marian era. The events are recounted and then their meaning is explained, and particularly that of the role of the Miraculous Medal in the conversion and cure of many persons. The symbolism of the medal is also explored and the way in which it pointed to both Mary’s Immaculate Conception and her mediating role.
Their is also a practical and spiritual emphasis in the recounting of the conversion of the Jewish banker Alphonse Ratisbonne, and of St Maximilian Kolbe’s use of the medal to convert souls.
The story of La Salette is one of the basic Christian precepts being reintroduced into an area of south eastern France which had almost forgotten it was Catholic. Things had reached such a low ebb that blasphemy and Sabbath breaking were widespread. Yet within a few years of the apparition of Mary in 1846, a marvellous change had come over the whole region. Further short chapters explore a variety of aspects of the apparitions and their subsequent history and are very satisfying.
However, it was Lourdes that would hold the primary place in French Marian apparitions, particularly after the discovery of the miraculous spring which very quickly became world-famous for the wonderful cures God worked through it. Again there is a good account of the basic story, plus further sections on lesser known aspects, including theological reflections and some astonishing accounts of healings. Bernadette’s later life and chapters on the Immaculate Conception and the Eucharist, amongst others, round off the section on Lourdes.
The last part of the book deals with the little known apparition at Pontmain, which took place at the height of the Franco-Prussian war. This somewhat resembles Knock in that Our Lady only appeared for a few hours in the nighttime sky, and said nothing, although some words of consolation did appear at her feet on a white band. The result was that the area was saved from the devastation of the approaching Prussian army.
In sum, this is an excellent little book, which not only recounts the basics of each apparition but also puts them in their historical context. It also approaches them from a number of angles both spiritual and theological and in short is highly recommended. It is very well illustrated and thus an excellent introduction to the 19th century French Marian apparitions.
- Donal Anthony Foley
]]>In a letter to F. W. Faber, December 9, 1849, John Henry Newman wrote: “Certainly, I wish to take the Scotist view on the point [motive of the Incarnation]. It seems to me more philosophical (if one has the right so to talk) to throw the difficulty on creation—as if creation is the great mystery—and if the Supreme condescended to create, to partake in creation was involved. But as I understand the Scotist view it simply is, that He would have been incarnate, even had man not sinned—but when man sinned it was for our redemption; in matter of fact the end was to make satisfaction. (J. H. Newman, Letters and Diaries, vol. 13, p. 335 and 342).
Drawing from the inaugural Newman-Scotus Symposium (Oct. 2010), this edited volume presents principles that converge with striking similarities in the thought patterns of Bl. John Duns Scotus and Bl. John Henry Newman. With contributions from prominent philosophers and theologians, this book argues in detail that Newman was overall sympathetic to many of the major themes characteristic of Duns Scotus’ metaphysics, and furthermore would be cautious about simply substituting historical dimensions and new hermeneutics for a sound metaphysical approach. The more metaphysical approach of Duns Scotus uncovers the implicit notional foundations of Newman’s thought, while the more phenomenological style of Newman assists the reader in grasping the realism and profound spirituality lying behind the more abstract presentation of Duns Scotus. Topics range from the Franciscan-Scotistic motive of the Incarnation, the Scotistic position of sacramental theology, to intuition and certitude, scientific form and real assent, uncoupling Duns Scotus from Kant, the will as the power to self-determine as the essential characteristic of the will, with love as its object, and its relationship to the intellect as moved by the object, the truth, and more.
If you are or wish to be a child of Mary, you will read this little book because it speaks of your Mother; you will feel a secret impulse to reread it; you will discover in it new glimpses and profound thoughts which the author himself has not suspected and which he, unassisted, would not have been able to express in words.
This little book, consisting of nine chapters was written by the author for “little children” (spiritually) who “wish to approach the presence of the Mother of the King of kings.” They were characterized by the author as “not so learned nor pretentious with their Mother,” nor are they “who (can) read great ceremony a prepared discourse expressing some new remarkable thoughts and sentiments about the Blessed Virgin.“
The book is written to allow “simple souls to speak to the Blessed Virgin in simpler language than comes from the tongues of the learned.” It will “allow children, when they surround and caress their Mother, to ignore ceremonies observed by guards who present arms before a queen.”
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