Meeting Mary Learning Guide: Our Mother in Faith (Catholic Century) [Paperback]

Kenneth J. Howell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2003 | Series: Catholic Century

Just as the mother is at the center of the family, so Mary is at the center of every Catholic's daily life--yet her role is often misunderstood. In this learning guide, theology professor and former Protestant minister Kenneth J. Howell clearly describes the central importance of Mary to not only every Catholic, but every Christian. Here he explains the reasons behind the four Marian dogmas and discusses the Marian apparitions at Guadalupe, Lourdes, and Fatima--and what those apparitions mean for all of us. This resource also includes some best-loved Marian prayers and a list of the Church's Marian feast days. We are the children of God; in this family of believers Mary is our spiritual Mother, instructing us by her example of fidelity, obedience, and devotion to Christ. She plays a vital role in God's plan of salvation for all his children. This guide will awaken you to that knowledge.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This learning guide gently leads readers through scriptural and historical evidence about the importance of Mary's life, the validity of Marian doctrines, and the necessity for Christians today to build a strong relationship with their spiritual mother. A thorough explanation of Catholics' connection to Mary, it includes the best-known Marian prayers, a list of Marian feast days, and a glossary of important terms. It also covers the Marian apparitions at Guadalupe, Lourdes, and Fatima--and what they mean for us all.

About the Author

Kenneth J. Howell is director of the John Henry Cardinal Newman Institute of Catholic Thought and adjunct associate professor of religious studies at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, where he teaches classes on the history, theology, and philosophy of Catholicism. Before entering the Catholic Church in 1996, he was a Presbyterian minister for eighteen years and a theological professor in a Protestant seminary.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Catholic Answers (September 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888992417
• ISBN-13: 978-1888992410
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #875,284 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Mother for All, November 11, 2005

By 

Harvey Herela (Mesa, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Meeting Mary Learning Guide: Our Mother in Faith (Catholic Century) (Paperback)

It's true. Mary, forever virgin, is, indeed, our spiritual mother. Kenneth J. Howell lays it all out in this simple-to-read yet information-packed book. It was so simple to read that I was rather surprised when I got to the chapter of, say, the Immaculate Conception (and other content heavy chapters), and I understood it without having to reread a hundred times.

Granted, as a Catholic, I already had an understanding of Marian teachings; but I'd never heard them explained so clearly.

The quizes at the end of a chapter help to ensure understanding. At the same time, though, you don't have to take them if you think they're distracting.

Meeting Mary is a good read. It was very informative, and it showed me that the Church knows what it's talking about when it talks about Mary.

And now I can know what I talk about when I talk about Mary.

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Introductory Overview of Marian Doctrine, January 12, 2007

By 

Donald Ramsey "Donald Ramsey" (Miami, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Meeting Mary Learning Guide: Our Mother in Faith (Catholic Century) (Paperback)

This little book is ideal for introducing non-Catholic Christians to Catholic beliefs about the Mother of God. It is well-written, rather brief, yet refreshingly thorough.