Visions of Mary [Hardcover]

Barbara Calamari (Author), Sandra di Pasqua (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 14, 2004

The Virgin Mary inspires intense religious devotion throughout the Catholic world. In her 350 official incarnations, among them Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Lourdes, and The Mother of Sorrows, Mary brings a feminine face to worship, and serves as a conduit for the redemption of humanity. This beautiful and timeless book by the authors of the Abrams title "Holy Cards explores Mary's many visionary appearances throughout history and their significance, and examines the iconography surrounding the most famous of these visions.
Catholics honor the woman they venerate as the Mother of God through special novena prayers. The Marian prayer cards displayed here, along with other examples of vernacular art illustrating Mary's various appearances, form an exquisite but accessible treasury of the many facets of the Holy Mother. With its radiantly illustrated iconography; its eternal theme; and its rare collection of holy cards, "Visions of Mary should inspire believers and all those interested in art and religious iconography.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Barbara Calamari is a freelance writer who has worked in film and television. Sandra DiPasqua is a graphic designer and art director. The two have collaborated on four previous books for a Catholic audience: Novena: The Power of Prayer, Holy Places: Sacred Sites in Catholicism, Our Lady of Guadalupe in a Box, and the Abrams book Holy Cards. They both live in New York City.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; Presumed 1st as edition not stated edition (December 14, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810955814
• ISBN-13: 978-0810955813
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #789,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ave!, January 8, 2005

By 

E. Di Menna (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Visions of Mary (Hardcover)

This is an extraordinary book. It's gorgeous, beautifully written, and both moving and entertaining, and it has taught me many things I never knew about the Virgin Mary. For instance, I'd never heard of Our Lady of Knock, who appeared in a country church in Ireland three times in 1879 and 1980 with a crown on her head and a rose under the crown as stunned villagers prayed before her. She effected more than three hundred cures, starting with a young girl born deaf whose hearing was restored and including the Archbishop of Toronto. The book presents the full richness and variety of the cult of Mary through profiles of dozens of such officially recognized apparitions and through a rich trove of color photographs of everything from pious graffiti on a New York slum wall to Our Lady of Salette, the patroness of France.

I plan to give this to several of my friends, because I believe it will appeal equally to the deeply religious, the historically curious, and lovers of art. Wonderful!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Won't Be Disappointed, January 3, 2005

By 

Anonymous (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Visions of Mary (Hardcover)

Once again authors Barbara Calamari and Sandra DiPasqua have given us a written and pictorial testimony to the love that the mother of Jesus has for her children. The history of her many visits on earth are presented with clarity and love. The cultural response of the people is shown with great photographic depiction.
The authors tell of the 350 official titles given to Mary. They write about the history and the reaction of the people involved with over 20 of Mary's earthly visits to humankind.
I am personally proud to be one of several who were fortunate to share some of the over 40 holy cards used to show the imagery of Mary regarding several of her visits and titles.
By reading the book I'm sure that you will learn more to enhance your knowledge and love for Mary and Jesus plus be visually uplifted.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice introduction to a much misunderstood devotion., January 18, 2007

By 

Cynthia Schrage "pioneercynthia" (LaGrange, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Visions of Mary (Hardcover)

Finally, a lovely and loving book about the numerous apparitions of the Virgin Mary over the past several centuries. This volume will be a welcome addition to the library of any Marian devoté, as well as an informative primer to those unfamiliar (or misinformed) about the nature and varieties of both the apparitions themselves, as well as those who experienced them. The authors also show how the visions continue to be of interest and value to modern-day persons. An excellent selection of photos of many home-made shrines is included, demonstrating how the Virgin Mary attracts even the most lowly. What most of the shrines lack in artistry, they more than make up for in charm. Another nice addition is the variety of cultures depicted. Even though I am a very well-read Catholic, there were several apparitions that I had never heard of. I really enjoyed this book. I only wish it were longer and more comprehensive.