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The Virgin Mary - father Raymond
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 28, 2019
Received a free copy of this from America Needs Fatima and read it last night. It was a perfect way to close this month of August with our, Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
This is a lovely short compendium of Mariology. Most of what I read was not new, but there was a great reminder to THANK Our Lady for all she does for us! Good mother that she is, Mary works quietly and lovingly behind the scenes, doing a million things for us ... me!
Like St. Monica, on whose feast day I read this, Mary, you are ever the faithful mother praying for your wayward children. Where would we be without you?! Thank YOU dearest Mother Mary! I love you!
This is a lovely short compendium of Mariology. Most of what I read was not new, but there was a great reminder to THANK Our Lady for all she does for us! Good mother that she is, Mary works quietly and lovingly behind the scenes, doing a million things for us ... me!
Like St. Monica, on whose feast day I read this, Mary, you are ever the faithful mother praying for your wayward children. Where would we be without you?! Thank YOU dearest Mother Mary! I love you!
June 19, 2021
Highly recommended! This short book is the readable explanation I've ever read of the Catholic Church's teachings on the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is a book to be savored.
September 16, 2021
Beautiful, simple, and full of grace. Just like Mary.
August 18, 2024
Wow! What a beautiful short book on the Virgin Mary, Queen of the Universe. A must-read.
December 28, 2017
This was an interesting story and I would recommend this book to any one who want's an excellent read. I look forward to reading more of this author's work.
November 13, 2019
Beautiful biographical and spiritual work on Mariology. I will definitely be reading it again. I especially loved the chapter The Blessed Virgin’s Compassion.
November 13, 2024
The purpose and utility of this book really shows the splendorous care that the author took in writing this meditative treaties for his time. I can tell you, it's not supposed to act as a theological manual- something like the works of Rev. Joseph Pohle Ph.D when he made his dogmatic treaties concerning Mariology. But what this work is, I can say, is a very light and simple writing on the life of Mary as a whole that we know of through the literature, the history, the liturgy, and ecclesiastical tradition. Fr. Raymond shares the same spirit as St. Louis, in my opinion, about his dedication to trying to introduce the known life of the Blessed Virgin.
I do not think that this book is bad, of course, my comments above are very explicit about that. I should mention that this writing is more-so meditative than anything and already has presupposed a Catholic crowd has or should read this. What I do think, however, could have been added, should have been additional sources of Mary's early life such as certain citations from the Saints, some sort of collection of liturgical text, or touching upon the explicit mention of the Protoevangelium where much of this area has been largely cited. He does supplement this however with the prophetic attributions of Mary within places like the Canticles of Canticles, which is sufficiently substantiated by the exegetical writers and the approbation of the Church with her pious peoples. I do not doubt the author has a very academic background and I would not know what access of resources he might have had, but after my recollection of reading, I think more being added to ''bridge'' the information used for meditation with the resources that could have been given for the reader to indulge in would be more useful. Although, to give some wiggle room, Catholic scholar Michael Patrick in his book on Christmas would mention that there are very few and far between Saintly mention of text like the Protoevangelium and lesser opinions on whether certain content in it was believed. That's something however to be read in his book, and he delivers very well on his part.
Overall, it is a simple and relatively affordable book. If you want to bulk up your Marian library and learn more about Mary, I do not discourage taking this book for yourself. Read it and use it.
I do not think that this book is bad, of course, my comments above are very explicit about that. I should mention that this writing is more-so meditative than anything and already has presupposed a Catholic crowd has or should read this. What I do think, however, could have been added, should have been additional sources of Mary's early life such as certain citations from the Saints, some sort of collection of liturgical text, or touching upon the explicit mention of the Protoevangelium where much of this area has been largely cited. He does supplement this however with the prophetic attributions of Mary within places like the Canticles of Canticles, which is sufficiently substantiated by the exegetical writers and the approbation of the Church with her pious peoples. I do not doubt the author has a very academic background and I would not know what access of resources he might have had, but after my recollection of reading, I think more being added to ''bridge'' the information used for meditation with the resources that could have been given for the reader to indulge in would be more useful. Although, to give some wiggle room, Catholic scholar Michael Patrick in his book on Christmas would mention that there are very few and far between Saintly mention of text like the Protoevangelium and lesser opinions on whether certain content in it was believed. That's something however to be read in his book, and he delivers very well on his part.
Overall, it is a simple and relatively affordable book. If you want to bulk up your Marian library and learn more about Mary, I do not discourage taking this book for yourself. Read it and use it.
July 14, 2025
This book explores the entire life of the Virgin Mary, and her importance to the Catholic faith. Raymond de Thomas de Saint-Laurent presents the following observations and thoughts on what Mary represents to the Catholic faithful. -
"Let us often invoke the name of Mary. God imparted such power to this blessed name that it works miracles, causing even demons to flee since they cannot hear it without being seized with alarm. The name of Mary dispels the most violent temptations and restores confidence and serenity to souls. In her revelation to Saint Bridget, Our Lady, assured us that she herself would assist the faithful who frequently invoked her name during their lifetime. Jesus fulfills the least desire of his mother in Heaven as promptly as he fulfilled her requests upon earth. If you want, your prayer granted surely and rapidly, turn to the Immaculate Virgin. "
"Suffering is the great element of redemption. "As you have believed, so be it done to thee."- Matt 8:13."
"If your trust is small, you will obtain little, if it is great, you will obtain much."
Indeed, her special mission is to lead souls to Jesus. Others seek legitimate, but purely human, satisfaction outside our lord. Human love can distract us for a moment, but in the end, it makes us suffer because it cannot satisfy the void in our souls. True joy is found in hearts that give themselves entirely to Christ. Our souls must be moved at the sight of the suffering who cry out to us. This is an important lesson: God grants us favors in the measure that we humble ourselves in his presence. The Holy Ghost does not deposit his gifts in hearts full of self-love. I gave Jesus to souls, and they forget that they received him through me"- says the Blessed Virgin. Mary is good and her prayers are all powerful with God. Let us frequently invoke her. An abyss separates us from the most high. While we are nothing, he lives in all eternity in light inaccessible to our mortal eyes. Though we can do nothing of ourselves, he created the universe by the power of a single word. Deserving our adoration, he reminds us that our homage serves him no purpose. To what purpose do you offer me the multitude of your victims? saith the Lord. I am full; I desire not holocausts or rams, and fat of fatlings, and blood of calves, and lambs and goats. - Isaiah 1:11- But the mother of the word far surpasses them all. Save for God, she is superior to all. No human tongue can worthily sing her praises." The church which encourages us to pay special honor to the Immaculate Mother, does not wish to place her on the same level as the Most High. While Mary reigns over all the angels and saints in heaven, she is still but a simple creature and accordingly, an infinite distance stands between her and her adorable son. Nevertheless, God has united Jesus and Mary so intimately that we cannot separate them. She will lead us to the surest and most direct route to God."
"The birth of Mary begins the work of redemption. God does not die! Truly the Almighty cannot be vanquished! At the same time, Mary possesses the greatest authority ever over all the earth. During the days of Rome's empire, the emperor commanded millions of men from the splendor of his palace. He scarcely knew the awesome number of his subjects: Europe obeyed his laws, and parts of Asia and Africa were subject to his scepter. On earth, Mary commanded but a single man, but a man greater than all kings, more glorious than all the angels. This man is the God who created the universe by the singular power of his infinite word. Because he is veritably her son in the flesh, Jesus owes Mary-in strict justice, his respect, love, and obedience."
"All men are endowed with a fundamental generosity rendering them at certain times capable of the most admirable self-sacrifice. Those who survived battles can testify to the unfathomable heroism that can spring forth from the human soul. Indeed, how many young people have requested dangerous missions in the place of their older comrades? They knew the dangers involved yet, proceeded to their deaths with smiles on their lips. They believed their sacrifice would deliver a father whose small children were also smiling in the distant purity of their cribs."
----------
I will end this review by relating the importance of Mary in my life. The relationship that I have with the blessed mother has been long lasting and deep. I have been told by many priests, religious figures, and people of deep faith that upon meeting me that they saw that I was a special child of Mary- there was a presence with me. She has performed miracles on my behalf and has appeared to me multiple times over the course of my life. I will relay one such instance from about ten years ago when I was in a raging blizzard in February outside my home. I was in the middle of shoveling snow while the storm raged, and an iron cap to something outside my home was blown off into the snow. It was buried under two to three feet of snow, I couldn't find it, had no idea where to look, and it was very important that I find it to cover the opening outside my house that was now uncovered. It looked hopeless, and it was doubtful that I was going to find it anytime soon. I said a prayer to the blessed Mother to help me find it quickly, because I had nowhere to look and the snow was deep and still coming down. I ended the prayer- and then decided just to slam my shovel straight down into a random spot in the snow. It was then after my shovel landed that the snow collapsed beneath my feet- not where I had put the shovel down, and when I looked down at my feet where the snow had suddenly given way for no explainable reason- there was the missing cap right underneath where the snow had collapsed under my feet. I never would have found it on my own. She has been there for me throughout my life- every day, every step of the way.
The relationship between myself and heaven, God, Jesus and the Blessed Virgin has carried me my whole life. I was raised that it was ignorant to criticize or be disrespectful to other faiths, because the beauty of the Catholic faith and my security in what I believe has led us to an understanding of how wonderful and deep all religions are. There is no need for me to live my life in any other way than how I was raised in Catholicism- there is no need to lie, cheat, cut corners, deal in propaganda, take credit for work that isn't your own, take advantage of others, or indulge your life in vanity telling everyone how great you are when you have the knowledge that heaven is with you, God sees all, the Virgin Mary understands your deepest feelings and thoughts in all matters, and that the roadmap to eternal salvation that God has laid out for us all will lead to ultimate happiness. To my Catholic friends, and my fellow travelers in God from all religions - I wish peace be to you all.
Holy Mary,
help those in need,
give strength to the weak,
comfort the sorrowful,
pray for God’s people,
assist the clergy,
intercede for religious.
Mary all who seek your help
experience your unfailing protection.
Amen.
"Let us often invoke the name of Mary. God imparted such power to this blessed name that it works miracles, causing even demons to flee since they cannot hear it without being seized with alarm. The name of Mary dispels the most violent temptations and restores confidence and serenity to souls. In her revelation to Saint Bridget, Our Lady, assured us that she herself would assist the faithful who frequently invoked her name during their lifetime. Jesus fulfills the least desire of his mother in Heaven as promptly as he fulfilled her requests upon earth. If you want, your prayer granted surely and rapidly, turn to the Immaculate Virgin. "
"Suffering is the great element of redemption. "As you have believed, so be it done to thee."- Matt 8:13."
"If your trust is small, you will obtain little, if it is great, you will obtain much."
Indeed, her special mission is to lead souls to Jesus. Others seek legitimate, but purely human, satisfaction outside our lord. Human love can distract us for a moment, but in the end, it makes us suffer because it cannot satisfy the void in our souls. True joy is found in hearts that give themselves entirely to Christ. Our souls must be moved at the sight of the suffering who cry out to us. This is an important lesson: God grants us favors in the measure that we humble ourselves in his presence. The Holy Ghost does not deposit his gifts in hearts full of self-love. I gave Jesus to souls, and they forget that they received him through me"- says the Blessed Virgin. Mary is good and her prayers are all powerful with God. Let us frequently invoke her. An abyss separates us from the most high. While we are nothing, he lives in all eternity in light inaccessible to our mortal eyes. Though we can do nothing of ourselves, he created the universe by the power of a single word. Deserving our adoration, he reminds us that our homage serves him no purpose. To what purpose do you offer me the multitude of your victims? saith the Lord. I am full; I desire not holocausts or rams, and fat of fatlings, and blood of calves, and lambs and goats. - Isaiah 1:11- But the mother of the word far surpasses them all. Save for God, she is superior to all. No human tongue can worthily sing her praises." The church which encourages us to pay special honor to the Immaculate Mother, does not wish to place her on the same level as the Most High. While Mary reigns over all the angels and saints in heaven, she is still but a simple creature and accordingly, an infinite distance stands between her and her adorable son. Nevertheless, God has united Jesus and Mary so intimately that we cannot separate them. She will lead us to the surest and most direct route to God."
"The birth of Mary begins the work of redemption. God does not die! Truly the Almighty cannot be vanquished! At the same time, Mary possesses the greatest authority ever over all the earth. During the days of Rome's empire, the emperor commanded millions of men from the splendor of his palace. He scarcely knew the awesome number of his subjects: Europe obeyed his laws, and parts of Asia and Africa were subject to his scepter. On earth, Mary commanded but a single man, but a man greater than all kings, more glorious than all the angels. This man is the God who created the universe by the singular power of his infinite word. Because he is veritably her son in the flesh, Jesus owes Mary-in strict justice, his respect, love, and obedience."
"All men are endowed with a fundamental generosity rendering them at certain times capable of the most admirable self-sacrifice. Those who survived battles can testify to the unfathomable heroism that can spring forth from the human soul. Indeed, how many young people have requested dangerous missions in the place of their older comrades? They knew the dangers involved yet, proceeded to their deaths with smiles on their lips. They believed their sacrifice would deliver a father whose small children were also smiling in the distant purity of their cribs."
----------
I will end this review by relating the importance of Mary in my life. The relationship that I have with the blessed mother has been long lasting and deep. I have been told by many priests, religious figures, and people of deep faith that upon meeting me that they saw that I was a special child of Mary- there was a presence with me. She has performed miracles on my behalf and has appeared to me multiple times over the course of my life. I will relay one such instance from about ten years ago when I was in a raging blizzard in February outside my home. I was in the middle of shoveling snow while the storm raged, and an iron cap to something outside my home was blown off into the snow. It was buried under two to three feet of snow, I couldn't find it, had no idea where to look, and it was very important that I find it to cover the opening outside my house that was now uncovered. It looked hopeless, and it was doubtful that I was going to find it anytime soon. I said a prayer to the blessed Mother to help me find it quickly, because I had nowhere to look and the snow was deep and still coming down. I ended the prayer- and then decided just to slam my shovel straight down into a random spot in the snow. It was then after my shovel landed that the snow collapsed beneath my feet- not where I had put the shovel down, and when I looked down at my feet where the snow had suddenly given way for no explainable reason- there was the missing cap right underneath where the snow had collapsed under my feet. I never would have found it on my own. She has been there for me throughout my life- every day, every step of the way.
The relationship between myself and heaven, God, Jesus and the Blessed Virgin has carried me my whole life. I was raised that it was ignorant to criticize or be disrespectful to other faiths, because the beauty of the Catholic faith and my security in what I believe has led us to an understanding of how wonderful and deep all religions are. There is no need for me to live my life in any other way than how I was raised in Catholicism- there is no need to lie, cheat, cut corners, deal in propaganda, take credit for work that isn't your own, take advantage of others, or indulge your life in vanity telling everyone how great you are when you have the knowledge that heaven is with you, God sees all, the Virgin Mary understands your deepest feelings and thoughts in all matters, and that the roadmap to eternal salvation that God has laid out for us all will lead to ultimate happiness. To my Catholic friends, and my fellow travelers in God from all religions - I wish peace be to you all.
Holy Mary,
help those in need,
give strength to the weak,
comfort the sorrowful,
pray for God’s people,
assist the clergy,
intercede for religious.
Mary all who seek your help
experience your unfailing protection.
Amen.
September 22, 2025
My best friend is fighting an aggressive form of cancer. I remembered a prayer my Mom would always say to the Blessed Mother called the "Memorare" which petitions Mary for help. Since I have been praying in this way, my friend's condition has stabilized so I have much gratitude in my heart to the Blessed Mother. This book reinforced my feelings and beliefs about her aiding all of us with difficult situations. I might even start praying to her on my own behalf. A very enlightening book which will give you much to think about.
April 25, 2025
A beautiful devotional, an exquisite, Holy, tribute to our Mother, Mary. Every sentence of Father de Thomas de Saint Laurent's work is a prayer of contemplation in itself centering around the beauty of Mary. Father de Saint Laurent reverently brings to light many mysteries pertaining to the Mother of our Savior and exults the Holy Family in his writing. Beautiful artwork depicting Jesus and our Lady enhances this wonderful experience.
January 1, 2025
“The Virgin Mary” by Fr. Raymond de Thomas de Saint-Laurent was a lovely book where all the stories we know of the Blessed Mother are compiled in one book. His writing humanized her, describing her feelings, emotions, trials and triumphs. It was a wonderful book to finish out the year and on the vigil of her Solemnity.
May 1, 2024
Pretty good. The language does sometimes get a bit flowery and lengthy, but still pretty good. You can always skim it, if you prefer. Additionally, there is lovely artwork sprinkled throughout, which I appreciate.
May 22, 2019
Wonderful
April 21, 2020
Get a bird eye view into the love and life of our eternal mother in heaven Mary.
June 1, 2023
Helpful in contemplating the human who carried our savior in her womb and cared for him in his earthly life.
Read
June 12, 2023This book was sent to me by my religious brother. I did read it. Not sure how one goes about writing a review on something like this so I won't.
January 15, 2024
I liked it well enough but there were some statements made many times that were presented as a given and I didn’t see them as such and wanted the source or reasoning to be provided.
August 3, 2024
All to Our Lady the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God as the Archangel Gabriel saluted her " full of grace "
September 5, 2024
Outstanding
December 31, 2025
Gives a full understanding and deeper love of Our Lady ❤️ Loved spending time with this book in prayer every week.
Read
February 13, 2017Delightful review of the life of The Blessed Virgin Mary from a human nature perspective ... we can relate to her joys, worries, needs, sorrows, pain and joy ... all in the name of LOVE.
I received the book free from The World Needs Fatima, and encourage everyone to read it.
It's a book of life an love.
I received the book free from The World Needs Fatima, and encourage everyone to read it.
It's a book of life an love.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews