The Seeker's Guide to Mary (Seeker's Series) [Paperback]

Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2002 | Series: Seeker's Series

To many of us, Mary is a mystery. She is mentioned in the Bible only a few times, yet she is one of the central figures of our Christian faith. In this new title, you'll meet Mary-the woman, the wife, the devoted mother, and Jesus' first true follower. Through scriptural references, historical perspective, and Christian tradition, this book presents a balanced and insightful examination of the life of Mary and pulls aside the veil of mystery that has shrouded her for centuries.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Balanced, bold and brave...for anyone struggling to respond to God’s call...to stay on our faith journey." -- St. Anthony Messenger Magazine, May 2002

"Briefly but thoroughly...has much to offer non-Catholics...because Mary has fascinated religious scholars and Christian devotees for 2000 years." -- NAPRA Review, Sept/Oct 2002

"Scaperlanda sees the examples of faith that Mary demonstrated throughout her life as Mary’s gifts to us." -- Sooner Catholic, Oklahoma City, May 5, 2002

"This book will prove invaluable...(Scaperlanda) illustrates the continuing importance of Mary’s love and protection to all Christians today." -- Liguorian Magazine, September 2002

"This well-researched and well-documented book is for the reader who is seeking to learn more about the life of Mary." -- Today’s Catholic, San Antonio, May 17, 2002

From the Publisher

Who was Mary really, and what does she have to do with the Christian faith? Most important, what can the mother of Jesus mean for us today? This new volume of the Seeker’s Series offers a balanced view of one of Christianity’s most important figures. Beyond the statues, legends and shrines exists a real person who was not only the mother of the Savior but his first true follower.

By addressing Mary legends, apparitions, shrines, and interventions, Scaperlanda leads readers to a greater understanding of the real Mary and a closer relationship to her in prayer.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 218 pages
• Publisher: Loyola Pr (February 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0829414894
• ISBN-13: 978-0829414899
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,622,382 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seeking a Guide, April 27, 2002

By 

mary s. schriber (charlottesville, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Seeker's Guide to Mary (Seeker's Series) (Paperback)

A concise, lucid guide to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and to Mariology, the faith traditions that have grown up around the figure of the historical Mary. It includes historical, hagiographical, and devotional information about Mary, including apparitions, shrines, and popular devotions. The materials of the "guide" are interspersed with reflections of a "seeker": the daily significance and usefulness of the Marian tradition to a contemporary woman. Useful both to the intellectually and spiritually curious.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The "Complete Guide to Mary", February 20, 2003

By 

Sister Ruth Miriam Irey, OCD "Ruth" (Piedmont,OK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Seeker's Guide to Mary (Seeker's Series) (Paperback)

Finally, an all in one book on Mary for the average person! It was a pleasure to read this book as it contains: the role of tradition, Church teachings, noted theologians, the place of apparations, Marian prayers and personal reflection all in one volume. Most important, however, Ms. Scaperlanda stresses the place of Mary in Catholic teaching and her role thoroughout the book. Mary is "honored" by the Church, not worshiped and her role is to point to Jesus. Mary is a model of obedience, that is, of listening to God, and she shows us what God's grace can do in us when we say "yes" to God. . .it allows Christ to be born in us. A wonderful book for every Protestant as it also contains how founders like Calvin and Luther honored Mary.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Cherished Book on Mary and Her Role in Spiritual History, January 20, 2004

By 

Carrie Swearingen (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Seeker's Guide to Mary (Seeker's Series) (Paperback)

Mary, the Mother of God, is a woman whose presence in history and place within the spiritual world/salvation story is often misunderstood. Scaperlanda brilliantly works through the historical and Biblical accounts of Mary's influence on faith. As importantly, she does not shy away from the ever-fascinating world of Mary's appearances throughout the last century. I found myself underlining points that I might use in my own writings, defense of Mary's role, and so on. I gave up. The final two-thirds of the book, in particular, blossoms with information and articulate description at every turn. I wish that the publishers had included an index with this book and others in the "Seeker's" series. On all other fronts, this is a wonderful gift for those who question Mary's role, and for those who fell in love with her years ago.