Mary the Perfect Contemplative: Carmelite Insights on the Interior Life of Our Lady

by Barbara Hughes

Mary the Perfect Contemplative is a fresh and beautiful portrait of the Mother of God. From her immaculate conception to her bodily assumption into heaven, Mary was set apart by God as the vessel of humanity’s redemption. Thrice favored as daughter of the Father, mother of the Son, and spouse of the Holy Spirit, Mary was endowed with supernatural gifts that enabled a contemplative life of grace. Unlike us, she was conceived without sin. Yet her reliance on faith, without the full vision of God’s plan of salvation during her earthly life, makes her for us the perfect model of faith. Pondering in her heart the mysteries she encountered throughout her life, she is the perfect contemplative.

416 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2022

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Various

Reviews

[Jeff Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall, this book is very solid. Contains a wealth of quotes from the Carmelite saints and church documents. I had a couple of quibbles here and there regarding what is included, and it clarified one concern towards the end.

[Cecilia Cicone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thorough examination of Our Lady’s life, but lacking an understanding of the human condition that borders on angelism while the author vehemently rejects the Blessed Mother as a god. Also heavily relies on unconfirmed private revelation.

[LaRae Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the additional information and the expounding upon attributes I was wondering about. I did not like the extended use of poetry, etc., and found that the detail in the passages about the rosary and the mysteries was not necessary.

[Gail Berna-Dompke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been an amazingly helpful book to learn about Mary.