I read this book in preparation for a class I will be taking, and I truly appreciate the reminders of living with virtue and growing to a "total abnegation of self." My reading, unfortunately, was challenged by some awkward sentence syntax, and Mary's "voice" at the beginning of most chapters. Of course, I understand that this a Marianist publication, and devotion to Mary is paramount; however, aside from quoted scripture, this is the author's interpretation, and did not work for me. What did work was personal examples from the author's life, as well as shared stories from other faith group participants.