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How They Love Mary: 28 Life-Changing Stories of Devotion to Our Lady
Could your love and reverence for the Mother of God use a boost? Here’s a powerful 30-day devotional to help you invigorate your love for Our Lady by exploring the many ways in which holy men and women have venerated Mary throughout time. From St. Damian of Molokai to Padre Pio, from St. Francis of Assisi to St. Thomas Aquinas, you’ll learn new ways of honoring Mary that you hadn’t considered previously, and you’ll be heartened toward a holiness and love of God that only these illustrious spiritual teachers can inspire.
Here’s a book that will be of particular value to those who are either beginning their devotion to Our Lady or whose devotion has become stagnant over time.
You’ll learn how St. Kateri Tekakwitha imitated Mary’s life as a consecrated virgin and offered Marian prayers that bore fruit. You’ll explore St. Faustina’s mystical experiences of Mary and how St. Francis de Sales’s depression was healed through Our Lady’s intercession. You’ll also learn how Bishop Fulton Sheen relied on Mary to remain celibate, how St. Thérèse of Lisieux was healed by her smile, and how Mother Angelica would pray the Rosary.
Author Fr. Looney also includes excerpts from the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary as well as a host of exquisite prayers and litanies to Our Lady.
Here’s the single book you need in this life to periodically strengthen your devotion to Our Lady by following the examples of the holy men and women who came before us and on whose shoulders we stand.
Here’s a book that will be of particular value to those who are either beginning their devotion to Our Lady or whose devotion has become stagnant over time.
You’ll learn how St. Kateri Tekakwitha imitated Mary’s life as a consecrated virgin and offered Marian prayers that bore fruit. You’ll explore St. Faustina’s mystical experiences of Mary and how St. Francis de Sales’s depression was healed through Our Lady’s intercession. You’ll also learn how Bishop Fulton Sheen relied on Mary to remain celibate, how St. Thérèse of Lisieux was healed by her smile, and how Mother Angelica would pray the Rosary.
Author Fr. Looney also includes excerpts from the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary as well as a host of exquisite prayers and litanies to Our Lady.
Here’s the single book you need in this life to periodically strengthen your devotion to Our Lady by following the examples of the holy men and women who came before us and on whose shoulders we stand.
240 pages, Paperback
Published April 26, 2022
16 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Edward Looney
17 books15 followersFr. Edward Looney was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Green Bay June 6, 2015, and currently serves as Administrator of St. Francis and St. Mary Parish, Brussels and St. Peter/St. Hubert Parish, Lincoln/Rosiere.
At a young age, Fr. Looney fostered a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, which has remained with him to this day. As a young boy, he joined the parish community for the Rosary after daily Mass. While growing up, he regularly watched The Song of Bernadette and became mesmerized by the story of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Marian pilgrimage has been central to Fr. Looney’s life. During the summer of 2005 Fr. Looney, as a high school sophomore, made a Marian pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help (Champion, WI). This pilgrimage opened the door of his heart to discern more seriously a priestly vocation. He has visited Marian shrines all across the world, including Lourdes, Fatima, Knock, Beauraing, Banneux, Pontmain, and Rue du Bac.
Fr. Looney began writing books while still in seminary, first penning a children’s book called The Story of Sister of Adele. He published other books including Breakfast in Bethlehem, Praying the Rosary with Sister Adele, and A Novena to the Queen of Heaven. His more recent books have reached the status as Catholic best sellers: A Rosary Litany and A Heart Like Mary’s.
Fr. Looney’s writings have been featured in the pages of Catholic Digest and Missio Immaculatae, in addition to the web on Catholic Exchange, Aleteia, Church Pop, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. Fr. Looney can be heard regularly on EWTN Radio’s Morning Glory program wherein he serves as Godly Counsel. Further, he has traveled across the country delivering various Marian presentations at conferences and parishes.
A member of the Mariological Society of America, Fr. Looney has published in theological journals on topics related to Mariology including the Marian Spirituality of Thomas Merton (The Merton Seasonal, 2013) and Chiara Lubich (Marian Studies 2015), Fr. Daniel Lord, SJ (Marian Studies 2017) and on the Wisconsin Apparition (Marian Studies, 2011 and Chicago Studies, (2016). Fr. Looney has other research projects in the works and other articles pending publication.
At a young age, Fr. Looney fostered a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, which has remained with him to this day. As a young boy, he joined the parish community for the Rosary after daily Mass. While growing up, he regularly watched The Song of Bernadette and became mesmerized by the story of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Marian pilgrimage has been central to Fr. Looney’s life. During the summer of 2005 Fr. Looney, as a high school sophomore, made a Marian pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help (Champion, WI). This pilgrimage opened the door of his heart to discern more seriously a priestly vocation. He has visited Marian shrines all across the world, including Lourdes, Fatima, Knock, Beauraing, Banneux, Pontmain, and Rue du Bac.
Fr. Looney began writing books while still in seminary, first penning a children’s book called The Story of Sister of Adele. He published other books including Breakfast in Bethlehem, Praying the Rosary with Sister Adele, and A Novena to the Queen of Heaven. His more recent books have reached the status as Catholic best sellers: A Rosary Litany and A Heart Like Mary’s.
Fr. Looney’s writings have been featured in the pages of Catholic Digest and Missio Immaculatae, in addition to the web on Catholic Exchange, Aleteia, Church Pop, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. Fr. Looney can be heard regularly on EWTN Radio’s Morning Glory program wherein he serves as Godly Counsel. Further, he has traveled across the country delivering various Marian presentations at conferences and parishes.
A member of the Mariological Society of America, Fr. Looney has published in theological journals on topics related to Mariology including the Marian Spirituality of Thomas Merton (The Merton Seasonal, 2013) and Chiara Lubich (Marian Studies 2015), Fr. Daniel Lord, SJ (Marian Studies 2017) and on the Wisconsin Apparition (Marian Studies, 2011 and Chicago Studies, (2016). Fr. Looney has other research projects in the works and other articles pending publication.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 21, 2022
This is the fifth volume from Father Looney and it is my favourite it is an excellent volume. This is a very inspiring book, certain to help you grow in love for Our Mother. Journey with Father Looney through 28 profiles of saints and blesseds, and men and women of faith, and how they love Mary, and how their examples can inspire and challenge us. You will be exposed to many books, devotions and spiritual practices. A wonderful volume, well worth picking up! The description of this book is:
“Could your love and reverence for the Mother of God use a boost? Here’s a powerful 30-day devotional to help you invigorate your love for Our Lady by exploring the many ways in which holy men and women have venerated Mary throughout time. From St. Damian of Molokai to Padre Pio, from St. Francis of Assisi to St. Thomas Aquinas, you’ll learn new ways of honoring Mary that you hadn’t considered previously, and you’ll be heartened toward a holiness and love of God that only these illustrious spiritual teachers can inspire.
Here’s a book that will be of particular value to those who are either beginning their devotion to Our Lady or whose devotion has become stagnant over time.
You’ll learn how St. Kateri Tekakwitha imitated Mary’s life as a consecrated virgin and offered Marian prayers that bore fruit. You’ll explore St. Faustina’s mystical experiences of Mary and how St. Francis de Sales’s depression was healed through Our Lady’s intercession. You’ll also learn how Bishop Fulton Sheen relied on Mary to remain celibate, how St. Thérèse of Lisieux was healed by her smile, and how Mother Angelica would pray the Rosary.
Author Fr. Looney also includes excerpts from the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary as well as a host of exquisite prayers and litanies to Our Lady.
Here’s the single book you need in this life to periodically strengthen your devotion to Our Lady by following the examples of the holy men and women who came before us and on whose shoulders we stand.”
The chapters in this book are:
Introduction
Lessons:
1 Every Saint is Devoted to Mary in Some Way—St. Damien of Molokai
2 A Greeting for Mary—St. Francis of Assisi
3 Love Our Lady and Make Her Loved--Padre Pio
4 Mary Knows our Suffering- Mother Angelica
5 Relying on Mary’s Prayers- Adele Brise
6 A Childlike Love for Mary- St. Therese of Lisieux
7 Catechesis about Mary Impacted Her Life—St. Kateri Tekakwitha
8 Streams of Grace—St. Faustina
9 Dedicated to and Protected by Mary—Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
10 A Love for Mary’s Many Names- Mother Mary Francis, PCC
11 Sincerity in Devotion- Fr. Lukas Etlin, OSB
12 A New Way to Pray- St. Ignatius of Loyola
13 He Preached the Virgin’s Mother’s Glory- St. Bernard of Clairvaux
14 Mary is our Lifelong Friend- Francis Cardinal George, OMI
15 The Goodness of Devotion to Mary—Blessed Columba Marmion
16 A Life of Union with Jesus and Mary—Fr. Emile Neubert
17 The Realness and Relatability of Mary- Caryll Houselander
18 Lead with Mary- Pope Francis
19 Challenging Words to Live—Chiara Lubich
20 To Think Deeply About Mary—St. Thomas Aquinas
21 Mary Was With Her— St. Mariam of Jesus Crucified
22 The Rosary is Meant for Family Prayer- Fr. Patrick Peyton
23 The Use of Imaginative Prayer When Receiving Holy Communion- Fr. Daniel Lord, SJ
24 A Simple Approach to Marian Devotion- Blessed Solanus Casey
25 What Mary’s Feasts Mean For Us—St. Francis de Sales
26 Give Your Life to Mary- Venerable Aloysius Schwartz
27 By Joyful with Mary—Sr. Clare Crockett
28 The Little Way of Confidence in Mary—Sister Teresa (of Jesus) Quevedo
29 You Have a Story
Conclusion
Appendix One: Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Excerpt
Appendix Two: Common Marian Prayers
Appendix Three: Litanies
The subtitle of the book is '28 Life-Changing Stories of Devotion to Our Lady' the original draft subtitle was 'Lessons I Learned from Holy Men and Women Along the Way' both work, but the second focuses on what Father Looney learned, the first on what those profiled learned.
This is one of those books that will change your spiritual life. I read an advanced copy over a few days prior to publication. The version I read had two more days, which the publisher choose not to include. I think both would have been good additions. But back to this version of the book. It is an excellent read. I read through it fairly quickly, but have plans to go back and reread it doing one of the lessons per day.
Each of the days presents us a person and their devotional practices or how they related to Mary. The chapters vary significantly in length. As do the recommendations at the ends of the chapter. These sections ‘How to Love Mary like …’ have between 3 and 8 points. Some are devotional practices, some art actions like pilgrimage, others as simple as saying specific prayers. A few samples are:
“How to Love Mary like Blessed Columba Marmion
Reflect on your reasons for loving Mary.
Do you feel overwhelmed by the amount of Marian devotions possible? Which ones have had pride of place in your life? Are there new ones you want to try?
Pray the Rosary, Angelus, or one of Mary’s litanies.
Think of Mary when you attend Mass next.
Pray the Hail Mary slowly. Don’t rush through it. Just pray one.”
“How to Love Mary like St. Francis of Assisi
Recite the Office of the Passion.
Pray the Salutation to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Pray the Franciscan Crown- just use your rosary beads and add two additional decades.”
“How to Love Mary like St. Kateri Tekakwitha
Kateri learned the Litany of Loreto and was inspired by the title Queen of Virgins. Is there a title that inspires you and can impact your life? If you are a mother, look at the Mother titles and see if there is one that you can imitate?
Pray the Angelus each day. Try to do so three times a day. Traditionally it is prayed at 6, 12, and 6. If you need to, simply pray it sometime in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
How can you keep Saturday in honor of Our Lady? Think of a practical way to always be reminded of Mary’s presence on her special day of the week.”
“How to Love Mary like Fr. Emile Neubert
What are ways you can become aware of living your life in union with Mary right now?
How can Mary encourage you in your state of life?
What ways can you cooperate with Mary in the salvation of souls? Is it by prayer, sacrifice, or labor?
What can Mary teach you about your life? What lesson do you need help with the most?
Begin and end your day with three Hail Mary’s.
Formulate a short prayer that you can pray throughout the day. It could be as simple as, “Mary, help me.”
The final lesson is our story. We are encourage to follow the 28 holy men and women profiled in this book and grow in our own devotion to Mary. I came away from this book with a handful of new practices to try. About a dozen books I have added to my reading list, and a desire to deepen my Marian devotion. It is a book I know I will read again, and one I will be sharing with many friends and family.
This is a great resource for growing in knowledge, love and devotion to Mary, and through that to living life better. An excellent took for spiritual growth.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan!
“Could your love and reverence for the Mother of God use a boost? Here’s a powerful 30-day devotional to help you invigorate your love for Our Lady by exploring the many ways in which holy men and women have venerated Mary throughout time. From St. Damian of Molokai to Padre Pio, from St. Francis of Assisi to St. Thomas Aquinas, you’ll learn new ways of honoring Mary that you hadn’t considered previously, and you’ll be heartened toward a holiness and love of God that only these illustrious spiritual teachers can inspire.
Here’s a book that will be of particular value to those who are either beginning their devotion to Our Lady or whose devotion has become stagnant over time.
You’ll learn how St. Kateri Tekakwitha imitated Mary’s life as a consecrated virgin and offered Marian prayers that bore fruit. You’ll explore St. Faustina’s mystical experiences of Mary and how St. Francis de Sales’s depression was healed through Our Lady’s intercession. You’ll also learn how Bishop Fulton Sheen relied on Mary to remain celibate, how St. Thérèse of Lisieux was healed by her smile, and how Mother Angelica would pray the Rosary.
Author Fr. Looney also includes excerpts from the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary as well as a host of exquisite prayers and litanies to Our Lady.
Here’s the single book you need in this life to periodically strengthen your devotion to Our Lady by following the examples of the holy men and women who came before us and on whose shoulders we stand.”
The chapters in this book are:
Introduction
Lessons:
1 Every Saint is Devoted to Mary in Some Way—St. Damien of Molokai
2 A Greeting for Mary—St. Francis of Assisi
3 Love Our Lady and Make Her Loved--Padre Pio
4 Mary Knows our Suffering- Mother Angelica
5 Relying on Mary’s Prayers- Adele Brise
6 A Childlike Love for Mary- St. Therese of Lisieux
7 Catechesis about Mary Impacted Her Life—St. Kateri Tekakwitha
8 Streams of Grace—St. Faustina
9 Dedicated to and Protected by Mary—Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
10 A Love for Mary’s Many Names- Mother Mary Francis, PCC
11 Sincerity in Devotion- Fr. Lukas Etlin, OSB
12 A New Way to Pray- St. Ignatius of Loyola
13 He Preached the Virgin’s Mother’s Glory- St. Bernard of Clairvaux
14 Mary is our Lifelong Friend- Francis Cardinal George, OMI
15 The Goodness of Devotion to Mary—Blessed Columba Marmion
16 A Life of Union with Jesus and Mary—Fr. Emile Neubert
17 The Realness and Relatability of Mary- Caryll Houselander
18 Lead with Mary- Pope Francis
19 Challenging Words to Live—Chiara Lubich
20 To Think Deeply About Mary—St. Thomas Aquinas
21 Mary Was With Her— St. Mariam of Jesus Crucified
22 The Rosary is Meant for Family Prayer- Fr. Patrick Peyton
23 The Use of Imaginative Prayer When Receiving Holy Communion- Fr. Daniel Lord, SJ
24 A Simple Approach to Marian Devotion- Blessed Solanus Casey
25 What Mary’s Feasts Mean For Us—St. Francis de Sales
26 Give Your Life to Mary- Venerable Aloysius Schwartz
27 By Joyful with Mary—Sr. Clare Crockett
28 The Little Way of Confidence in Mary—Sister Teresa (of Jesus) Quevedo
29 You Have a Story
Conclusion
Appendix One: Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Excerpt
Appendix Two: Common Marian Prayers
Appendix Three: Litanies
The subtitle of the book is '28 Life-Changing Stories of Devotion to Our Lady' the original draft subtitle was 'Lessons I Learned from Holy Men and Women Along the Way' both work, but the second focuses on what Father Looney learned, the first on what those profiled learned.
This is one of those books that will change your spiritual life. I read an advanced copy over a few days prior to publication. The version I read had two more days, which the publisher choose not to include. I think both would have been good additions. But back to this version of the book. It is an excellent read. I read through it fairly quickly, but have plans to go back and reread it doing one of the lessons per day.
Each of the days presents us a person and their devotional practices or how they related to Mary. The chapters vary significantly in length. As do the recommendations at the ends of the chapter. These sections ‘How to Love Mary like …’ have between 3 and 8 points. Some are devotional practices, some art actions like pilgrimage, others as simple as saying specific prayers. A few samples are:
“How to Love Mary like Blessed Columba Marmion
Reflect on your reasons for loving Mary.
Do you feel overwhelmed by the amount of Marian devotions possible? Which ones have had pride of place in your life? Are there new ones you want to try?
Pray the Rosary, Angelus, or one of Mary’s litanies.
Think of Mary when you attend Mass next.
Pray the Hail Mary slowly. Don’t rush through it. Just pray one.”
“How to Love Mary like St. Francis of Assisi
Recite the Office of the Passion.
Pray the Salutation to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Pray the Franciscan Crown- just use your rosary beads and add two additional decades.”
“How to Love Mary like St. Kateri Tekakwitha
Kateri learned the Litany of Loreto and was inspired by the title Queen of Virgins. Is there a title that inspires you and can impact your life? If you are a mother, look at the Mother titles and see if there is one that you can imitate?
Pray the Angelus each day. Try to do so three times a day. Traditionally it is prayed at 6, 12, and 6. If you need to, simply pray it sometime in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
How can you keep Saturday in honor of Our Lady? Think of a practical way to always be reminded of Mary’s presence on her special day of the week.”
“How to Love Mary like Fr. Emile Neubert
What are ways you can become aware of living your life in union with Mary right now?
How can Mary encourage you in your state of life?
What ways can you cooperate with Mary in the salvation of souls? Is it by prayer, sacrifice, or labor?
What can Mary teach you about your life? What lesson do you need help with the most?
Begin and end your day with three Hail Mary’s.
Formulate a short prayer that you can pray throughout the day. It could be as simple as, “Mary, help me.”
The final lesson is our story. We are encourage to follow the 28 holy men and women profiled in this book and grow in our own devotion to Mary. I came away from this book with a handful of new practices to try. About a dozen books I have added to my reading list, and a desire to deepen my Marian devotion. It is a book I know I will read again, and one I will be sharing with many friends and family.
This is a great resource for growing in knowledge, love and devotion to Mary, and through that to living life better. An excellent took for spiritual growth.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan!
May 29, 2022
Fr. Looney wrote a beautiful book about 28 saints and their devotions to our Blessed Mother. The saints show us that you needn’t worry about loving Mary too much - we can never love her more than Jesus does.
September 20, 2022
Looney's book is a semi well-organized work that encourages the reader to be excited about what they're about to read without ever fulfilling that promise. That said, Looney doesn't talk about any Marian scholars, focusing on some canonized saints and other people unknown to the common lay people (which, while interesting, wasn't particularly fulfilling). Nothing goes into depth in the book, and it is laid out like a sort of devotional. It is rather repetitive with most chapters repeating the same mantra, "they said their rosaries, novenas, and went to Mass."
I wouldn't recommend Looney's book to anyone, Catholic or non-Catholic.
I wouldn't recommend Looney's book to anyone, Catholic or non-Catholic.
September 3, 2022
Very interesting and inspirational.
December 31, 2022
Overall it was good, but I wish there was less from the author and more about the individuals he was writing about.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews