Miracles of Mary: Apparitions, Legends, and Miraculous Works of the Blessed Virgin Mary

by Michael S. Durham

A lavishly illustrated profile of the Virgin Mary combines such art masterpieces as The Lady in White at Lourdes, The Virgin of Guadalupe, and the Queen of Heaven with stories about her miracles and apparitions.

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Nonfiction

191 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Roger DeBlanck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miracles of Mary offers a stunning collection of Marian images to complement Durham’s lively narratives that focus on the Blessed Mother’s revered qualities. In each chapter, we engage in stories about the visionaries throughout history who have seen and communicated with Mary. The vivid artwork further enables us to see and reflect upon Mary as a harbinger of peace and prayer, as a helping hand and miraculous healer, as an exemplar for the saints to follow, as a compassionate soul who embraces hardship and sorrow, as a builder of churches and chapels, as a giver of gifts, and also as a warner of omens. Whether we identify with Mary as a divine figure or a historical legend or whether we see her miracles as fantasies or facts, it is hard not to become swept up by her enchanting, enduring nature. She makes Christianity possible, for she is the conduit to God and how God made Himself into flesh. Through its images and narratives, Miracles of Mary allows us to experience the Blessed Mother as a vital component of scripture inspiring us to believe and as an embodiment of humanity yearning for the best of what we can be. Regardless if we embrace Mary or not, we can all learn from what she represents as an ideal, loving mother with the strength and fortitude to carry the most burdensome weight of sorrow and suffering while at the same time inspiring us with hope and faith.

[Bill reilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Durham, a non-Catholic, wrote this book as a neutral observer. First up is Pontmain, France where Mary appeared to children in 1871, and the village was saved from an attack by the Prussian army. Next is an appearance in Beaurang, Belgium in 1932, which was recognized by Pope Pius XII in 1949. In Cuapa, Nicaragua in 1980, Bearnardo Martinez saw Mary on a cloud. She told him to pray the Rosary every day. Six children in Medjugorje, Herzegovina first saw Mary in 1981 and three of them continue to see her. Her messages are for prayer and fasting. My mother was there in 1996 and was overwhelmed by the experience. In 1858, Bernadette Soubirous saw Mary who declared herself the Immaculate Conception. The uneducated 14 year-old had no idea what it meant. Word spread and a miraculous spring appeared at the site. In Marpingen in 1873, three 8 year-old girls saw a woman in white. Several unexlpained cures occurred, but both the German government and the Roman Catholic Church disavowed the “German Lourdes.” Thirty-two year-old Estelle Faguette was cured of TB after seeing Mary in Pellevoisin, France, and after a visit to Lourdes. Mary appeared in Banneux, Belgium in 1933 and another healing spring followed only twelve days after Lourdes. The Holy Family fled to Egypt to ecscape King Herod, and from 1968-1971, Mary appeared at Zeitoun and Shubra, both near Cairo. Thousands of Christians and Muslims saw her. Both refer to the Virgin as “Ya Hibibi,” meaning, “O My Dearest One.” St. Ignatius Loyola founded the Jesuit Order after giving up a life of wealth and hedonism after Mary appeared to him with Jesus in her arms. St. Teresa of Avila founded the Carmelite Order after a request by Mary. St. Seraphim of Kursk, Russia was badly beaten by three thieves. He saw Mary while in a coma and recovered. He took a vow of silence and spoke to no one for three years. It sounds like a good idea, and I might follow in his footsteps. One of my favorites is Alphonse Ratisbonne, an a Jewish-Atheist banker who was given a Miraculous Medal and saw Mary at a church in France. He became a Jesuit priest. I wear my late mother's medal 24/7 and pray, “O Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee” several times a day. Perhaps Alphonse can return me to my early Catholicism. A chapter, Our Lady of Sorrows, chronicles stories of a weeping Madonna La Salette, France, Sicily, Italy, and at an Albanian church in Chicago where tears have fallen from an icon of Mary since 1986. The oldest shrine dedicated to Mary was built in Saragossa, Spain after the Apostle James saw her in A.D. 40. The Santa Maggiore was constructed in 352 after snow fell in August. Mary promised the sign to Pope Liberius in a dream. Juan Diego saw Mary in Tepeyac, Mexico in 1531. She sent him to the local bishop with fresh roses in his cape in order to convince the cleric to build a shrine. The cape, or, tilma, with Mary's image has remained on the cloth for almost 500 years. A blind beggar, Simeon, was saved by a soldier named Leo in 457. Mary rewarded Leo, as he became the emperor of the Byzantine Empire in Constantinople. A few short pieces describe a few of the lesser known appearances by Mary. Of course, Fatima is covered with the story of the three chidren and the “miracle of the dancing sun,” witnessed by 70,000 people in Portugal in 1917. The book concludes with Garabandal, Spain, Akita, Japan; and of all places, Bayside, Queens, NY. All share the same message of prayer, penance and sacrifice. Durham's book is a well done addition to the massive library of works on Mary.

[Natalie Ullmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting as a kind of light read. It's a collection of stories about historical visions of the Virgin Mary. I attended a protestant church as a child, and Mary wasn't really a big deal. As I've gotten older, through travels and socializing I've encountered many people who have personal spiritual experiences with Mary. The stories were interesting and the author includes information about how the church responded to the different manifestations, and that in itself is interesting and informative, which ones were "official" and which ones were not. The book is also filled with beautiful fine art images of the Virgin.

[Gato Negro · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book on miracles, apparaitions and warnings. The art work was a delight as well.

[D. Henderson]

A fascinating read! Great way to introduce the Mother of Christ, Jesus and her importance to people. It discusses the numerous visitations, warnings, healings and miracles she performed since her death. Everyone should read it!

[Juicy_Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been interested in Mary's Aparitions and this book goes over most of them ,even the ones dismissed by the Vatican. I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about Mary.