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The Catholic Answer Book of Mary
It's no wonder Mary represents a major stumbling block to Christian unity. Now from the pages of the award-winning The Catholic Answer magazine The Catholic Answer Book of Mary, a compilation of the most popular articles that have been written about the beloved virgin.
201 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1999
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September 13, 2024A SERIES OF ESSAYS COVERING MANY ASPECTS OF MARIAN DOCTRINES
Peter M.J. Stravinskas (born 1950) is a well-known Catholic apologist, and editor of 'The Catholic Answer,' and author of other books such as 'The Catholic Response,' 'The Catholic Church and the Bible,' 'Catholic Answer Book,' 'The Catholic Answer Book 2,' 'Mary and the Fundamentalist Challenge,' etc.
This 2000 book contains brief essays from a number of different authors (including Dave Armstrong ['A Biblical Defense of Catholicism'] and Robert Sungenis ['Not by Faith Alone']).
One essayist points out, "Ludwig Ott's Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma admits that the Immaculate Conception is not explicitly taught in Scripture, and he freely acknowledges that neither the Greek not Latin Fathers teach this doctrine. But he claims it is implicit in their teachings about the holiness and purity of Mary, and in the contrast that the Fathers developed between the figures of Mary and Eve." (Pg. 55-56)
Another essayist says, "It should also be noted that there is a distinction between the title 'Mediatrix,' which Catholic theology and popular piety attribute to Mary, and the title 'Co-redemptrix,' which is accepted in its technical theological meaning, but is not being promoted for wider use because of popular misunderstanding of its meaning." (Pg. 64)
Another essay observes, "The Blessed Mother is rarely met on an intellectual level by people saying, "Oh, yes, I see how the Immaculate Conception is logical'; rather, she is met on an emotional level, as the answer to a subconscious, hitherto unsuspected need. Whenever it is absolutely necessary to explain Catholic doctrines and practices about Mary, try to relate them to secular experiences that we've all had." (Pg. 89)
The concluding essay states, "Apparition stories of Mary seem to have the most perdurable and widespread following. Although not limited to this century, the sheer number of claimed Marian apparitions in the twentieth century is quite astounding. Beginning ... in 1900... up to ... 1996, there are 386 cases of Marian apparitions. The Church has made 'no decision' about the supernatural character to 299 of the 385 cases; 'negative decisions' from the Church about the supernatural character are 79 out of 386. The Church has said 'yes' in terms of the supernatural character of only eight cases." (Pg. 186)
This excellent volume will be very helpful to anyone studying Catholic Marian doctrines.
Peter M.J. Stravinskas (born 1950) is a well-known Catholic apologist, and editor of 'The Catholic Answer,' and author of other books such as 'The Catholic Response,' 'The Catholic Church and the Bible,' 'Catholic Answer Book,' 'The Catholic Answer Book 2,' 'Mary and the Fundamentalist Challenge,' etc.
This 2000 book contains brief essays from a number of different authors (including Dave Armstrong ['A Biblical Defense of Catholicism'] and Robert Sungenis ['Not by Faith Alone']).
One essayist points out, "Ludwig Ott's Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma admits that the Immaculate Conception is not explicitly taught in Scripture, and he freely acknowledges that neither the Greek not Latin Fathers teach this doctrine. But he claims it is implicit in their teachings about the holiness and purity of Mary, and in the contrast that the Fathers developed between the figures of Mary and Eve." (Pg. 55-56)
Another essayist says, "It should also be noted that there is a distinction between the title 'Mediatrix,' which Catholic theology and popular piety attribute to Mary, and the title 'Co-redemptrix,' which is accepted in its technical theological meaning, but is not being promoted for wider use because of popular misunderstanding of its meaning." (Pg. 64)
Another essay observes, "The Blessed Mother is rarely met on an intellectual level by people saying, "Oh, yes, I see how the Immaculate Conception is logical'; rather, she is met on an emotional level, as the answer to a subconscious, hitherto unsuspected need. Whenever it is absolutely necessary to explain Catholic doctrines and practices about Mary, try to relate them to secular experiences that we've all had." (Pg. 89)
The concluding essay states, "Apparition stories of Mary seem to have the most perdurable and widespread following. Although not limited to this century, the sheer number of claimed Marian apparitions in the twentieth century is quite astounding. Beginning ... in 1900... up to ... 1996, there are 386 cases of Marian apparitions. The Church has made 'no decision' about the supernatural character to 299 of the 385 cases; 'negative decisions' from the Church about the supernatural character are 79 out of 386. The Church has said 'yes' in terms of the supernatural character of only eight cases." (Pg. 186)
This excellent volume will be very helpful to anyone studying Catholic Marian doctrines.
May 31, 2018
I picked this book off the shelf as a way to honor the Blessed Mother during her month by reading a bit about her each day. With 29 chapters, I was able to easily do just that, breaking up the last two longer chapters over the last four days of the month. Since most chapters are quite short, this required only a few minutes a day. And it is solidly orthodox.
The book has four major parts: Life of Mary, Doctrine, Apologetics, and Marian Prayer and Devotions. All chapters were pieces published in The Catholic Answer magazine before 2000. Twenty-five different authors contributed. Uneven in the value of the pieces, it is a decent primer or refresher on many aspects of Mariology. Possibly best for someone with little background in Mariology, it could be a good starter to pique interest, but anyone with any deeper interest in the subject will want to go further. While one may think of the magazine as primarily apologetical, this really only is explicitly so for six chapters, so it is not recommended for that purpose solely.
If you have it or can easily access it, you may want to browse it. But there are better options.
The book has four major parts: Life of Mary, Doctrine, Apologetics, and Marian Prayer and Devotions. All chapters were pieces published in The Catholic Answer magazine before 2000. Twenty-five different authors contributed. Uneven in the value of the pieces, it is a decent primer or refresher on many aspects of Mariology. Possibly best for someone with little background in Mariology, it could be a good starter to pique interest, but anyone with any deeper interest in the subject will want to go further. While one may think of the magazine as primarily apologetical, this really only is explicitly so for six chapters, so it is not recommended for that purpose solely.
If you have it or can easily access it, you may want to browse it. But there are better options.
September 17, 2008
As someone who grew up protestant, Southern Baptist to be exact, this book was invaluable when I began learning about Catholicism (initially just an informal "checking it out," I was visiting and checking out a lot of churches then) and answered many questions I had before then as well as since.
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