Customer Reviews

The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary: From the Visions of Ven. Anne Catherine Emmerich

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Anne Catherine Emmerich gives the "everyday" happenings in the lives of those she "observed". I thought this book was a lovely read, and give me renewed interest in the Bible itself. As with all her books, it is like reading the full story as opposed to the headlines. Because Anne Catherine was a nun, it is often supposed that this, and indeed all her books, are only for Catholics. However, for Jewish people, it gives a most profound knowledge of the rich Jewish culture two thousand years ago, and for Christians, it fills in the blanks that Mathew, Mark, Luke and John left - they probably didn't realise that two thousand years later, their readers would not know what a Jewish wedding was like (Mary's dress and hair do left me breathless!). After reading the Chapter of Christmas, you too will wonder how Santa Claus managed to take over this wonderful event. I have also read the four volumes of the Life and Passion of Our Lord. Easter has never been the same for me.

NOTHING in her books contradicts the bible in any way. It just brings it to life.

I bought this book because I wanted to learn more about the Blessed Virgin Mary. There is not a lot of mention of her in the Bible and I was curious because this book is written "from the visions of Ven. Anne Catherine Emmerich." As I expected this is much more than someone's fictional interpolation of the scant Biblical information. It is actually an on-going interview with the very ill Emmerich. There is a lot of repetition because her words are not often edited but she tells some amazing information much of which is verified by ancient writings other than the Bible. This gives credibility to her "fly on the wall" observations of Mary, Joseph, the three wise men and even St. John the Baptist and why he grew up in the desert. It was fascinating.

Miss Emmerich relates in minute and often beautiful detail her visions of the life of Mary, from her conception to her assumption. Although not necessarily historical, the visions are a benefit to meditation on the events that we do know to have taken place, and help transport the reader back to Palestine in the first century.

This book provides great detailed descriptions of the Life of Our Lady and her ancestors as well as the events surrounding what constitutes the Joyful Mysteries as well as the Assumption. It provides great insight into what it was like to live in those times and is good background reading when read along with the Bible. Sometimes the detail does seem too much and can make for boring reading but this is only so for a few chapters. Recommended!

It was as if God let me get to read this book: whether the visions are accurte or not even the idea of such amazing events taking place is like heaven and Gods presence. This book hit me so sublimely and wondeful...I felt Grace reading her words...so privleged.

Clemens Brentano had planned a Life of Mary to be based like The Dolorous Passion Of Our Lord Jesus Christ: After The Meditations Of Anne Catherine Emmerich, on his recordings of the visions of the famous mystic, Anne Catherine Emmerich. On his death in 1842 the work was left unfinished, and it was not till many years later that it was finally completed by other hands.

'Though the accounts of these visions', to quote Brentano's Preface to the Dolorous Passions, 'solemnly reject the slightest claim to bear the character of historical truth' - being merely 'a pious nun's Lenten meditations' - yet he was at pains to try to verify, often with surprising success, the scriptural, historical and geographical elements in the mystical visions he recorded. The results of his researches he embodied in notes which are here reprinted, together with further critical notes, on both the original text and Brentano's comments, by Father Sebastian Bullough, O.P.

A treasury of holy scenes and pictures which contribute to the edification and inspiration of the faithful; the Life of Mary is 'a worthy companion' to the earlier book, and should obviously be read in conjunction with the Dolorous Passion, since the one narrative often supplements the other.
--- from book's back cover

I found this book to be a very pleasant and peaceful reading experience. It presented aspects and insights to the Holy Family I had never previously conceived of. My respect and love has grown not only for the Virgin Mary but for Joseph as well.

The descriptions of life at that time paint a picture that demonstrates not very much has changed in society, eventhough we may believe things have gotten worse.

Very profound and enlightened view of the Blessed Virgin, her holy family and the events of Jesus birth . I was unable to put the book down, and read it in twelve hours. I would recomend this book highly to anyone of faith to read.

First of all, one must be intellectually curious to appreciate this immense religious literary classic. The details of her clothing, the Virgin Mary's feelings deep in her heart as she went through the agony of the Flight into Egypt and the horrific tortures her heart suffered together as her Son, Christ, was brutalized during the Good Friday events ---all superbly recorded by Venerable Anne Catherine Emmerich. Incidentally, this was one of the resources Mel Gibson tapped into as he and others did Pre-Production work for the film classic, " Passion of Christ". Highly recommended. Don't let the language stop you: after reading a few paragraphs, if your mind is in the right set, the reading becomes less of a struggle, along with ease in comprehension of what Mary endured as Mother of God in the Holy Land. If you use this work as a meditation guide, it will definitely help one to achieve personal advancement as a devout Catholic, for studying Mary's life is a key in perfecting the Interior Life.

How can anyone review a book like this ? One has to read this book with an open heart. Anna Catherine is so religious and sincere that its a wonder. Read this book in the same mode..Is there any one like this do-day ??