Mary in Our Life

by William G. Most

For the first time in the history of Marian writing, here is a book that co-ordinates and integrates the dogmatic truths underlying devotion to Mary with a solid, unsentimental, and balanced application of these truths to the life of the soul. The author lucidly demonstrates that, since God has given Mary an all-pervading place in His scheme for the redemption of man, it follows that if we wish to grow in love of God–the goal of all spiritual striving–we will give Mary a corresponding place in our soul-life. This book shows us how to achieve such fusion of God-centered and Mary-informed spirituality. It provides a basic orientation in ascetic principles and explains the classic steps in spiritual and mystical growth, drawing always on the texts of Scripture, the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, the great commentators, and the modern papal pronouncements. This is a fundamental text of Marian spirituality, for private study, for class and study-club use, for aid in spiritual direction. It is at once simple, clear, and logical, yet fortified by rich documentation and reference material. With Index and questions for discussion. Father William G. Most (1914-1999) was born in Dubuque, Iowa. After preparatory studies at Loras Academy and Loras College and theological studies at the Catholic University of America, he was ordained priest in 1940. The Catholic University of America conferred the Ph.D. on him in 1946. He was a professor of Latin and Greek at Loras College in Dubuque throughout his teaching career. Father Most also served as convent chaplain, spiritual director of many students, and study-club moderator. He published twelve books and contributed to various periodicals, including the American Ecclesiastical Review, Catholic Biblical Quarterly, Classical Journal, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review.

Genres: Religion

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1955

About the author

Fr. Most held doctorates in both classical languages and theology. For over 40 years, beginning in the 1940's, he taught undergraduates at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. Then at the end of the 1980's, while in his own mid-70's, Fr. Most moved to northern Virginia to take a position on the faculty of the Notre Dame Institute, a Pontifical institute offering a Masters Degree in religious studies.

Fr. Most's arrival in Virginia placed him on the doorstep of Trinity Communications, whose president, Jeff Mirus, had already published two of Fr. Most's books. In 1986, Trinity had also commissioned John Janaro to write a brief life of Fr. Most and nine other outstanding American priests in a book called Fishers of Men.

Therefore, when Trinity founded the Catholic Resource Network (CRNET) in 1993, it was natural for Fr. Most to become both a theological advisor and an important member of CRNET's Ask the Experts panel, which fielded Catholic questions from users. When CRNET moved to the Internet and merged with the Eternal Word Television Network, Fr. Most continued this role in the Catholic Q&A section on EWTN's web site.

Author of numerous scholarly and popular books and articles covering such topics as grace, Scriptural interpretation, the role of Mary in the redemption, and many other topics, Fr. Most was internationally recognized as one of the premier faithful Catholic theologians of our time. His theological breakthroughs on difficult questions regarding grace, free will and the prerogatives of Mary are already legendary.

For the last few years of his life in the late 1990's, Fr. Most suffered limited mobility because of blood cancer. He could not teach in the classroom as often as he would have liked. Yet his spirit was more than willing and his keen mind still in demand. The result? His contribution online became even more important -- both to himself and to those who would learn from this great Catholic thinker.

Although that contribution is continued in The Most Database on PetersNet, Fr. Most himself has passed beyond theological speculation. In late January of 1999, he began to suffer a general system breakdown and he died shortly after 1:00 a.m. on January 31st at Prince William Hospital in Manassas, Virginia.

Fr. Most was 84 years old. He had spent well over sixty of those years in direct, active and faithful service to the Church for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

Reviews

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, written in the Marian year of 1954, is an excellent exposition of the role of Mary in salvation history and in our lives. It is well sourced with copious footnotes and appendices which give excellent commentary on the protoevangelium, the apocalyptic vision of Mary in battle with Satan, etc. Probably the most eye-opening chapter was Chapter X: Aridity, Consolations, and the Presence of Mary. The over-reliance of many in our modern age (myself included) on consolation and emotional uplift as an essential part of spiritual growth is given a severe corrective. Some examples:
"But we must not make the mistake of supposing that lack of emotion must involve forgetfulness of God"
"Some persons by natural temperament are much more prone to emotionalism than are others."
"It is possible for Consolations to come from ourselves by way of imagination or self-deception."
"Satan can afford to give us pleasurable emotion in prayer, for he knows well that emotion is not the essence of love, but is only a resonance that may be beneficial or harmful, according to the use that is made of it."
Father Most is an excellent theologian and a wonderful guide to the spiritual life. Read this book and cultivate a devotion to Mary. To Jesus through Mary.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid theology and anthropology coupled with a warm love of Mary and de Montfort’s True devotion.

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was one of the best explanations of Mary's role in the spiritual life that I have come across.