The World's First Love: A Moving Portrayal of the Virgin Mary [Paperback]

Fulton J. Sheen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1996

Fulton J. Sheen tells the story of Mary and examines Marian beliefs ranging from the Immaculate Conception to the miracle of Fatima, from the angel's announcement that Mary was to be the mother of Jesus to the time of her assumption into heaven.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A stimulating literary picture of the Blessed Virgin Mary ... an impressive scope of information."
— Newark News,

"A remarkable book by Sheen. Many rays of inspiration are to be gleaned from this thought-provoking work."
— Philadelphia Inquirer

"The whole treatment is based on a high key that reflects the author's deep reverence and devotion for the Blessed Virgin."
— Chicago Sunday Tribune

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 276 pages
• Publisher: Ignatius Press (September 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898705975
• ISBN-13: 978-0898705973
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #855,201 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979) was one of the best-loved prelates of twentieth century Catholicism. A prolific writer and orator, a distinguished scholar and teacher, an influential master of the media, Bishop Sheen was one of the most effective communicators of our time. His scores of books have offered inspiration, profound thought, and penetrating analysis of Christian faith and life.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book that will infuse the reader with a love for Mary, July 5, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (New York, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The World's First Love: A Moving Portrayal of the Virgin Mary (Paperback)

This book tells the story of Mary. It is not a biography, but a theological and devotional treatise on the Mother of God. Bishop Sheen adeptly considers the different phases of Mary's life from her Immaculate Conception to her Assumption. He examines Marian beliefs ranging from her position as Mother of God to her Apparitions at Fatima in 1917, and the importance of the Rosary. Sheen sets out to prove that devotion to Mary cannot be seperated from devotion to her Son, Jesus. Likewise, true love for Jesus should lead the disciple to a devotion to Mary. Sheen points out that without Mary, we could not have Jesus and we should love Mary simply because Jesus did! One cannot help but be moved by the authors portrayal of this Woman of Faith. It was Sheen's hope that his book would draw the reader to Mary as he was, "like a piece of iron to a magnet but never without her Son." It is this readers view that Sheen succeeded admirably.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marvelous book on Marian doctrine, January 17, 2001

By 

Adam (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The World's First Love: A Moving Portrayal of the Virgin Mary (Paperback)

The late Archbishop Fulton Sheen pulls together common misconceptions various religions have about the Catholic Church's beliefs about Mary, and gives insights and Biblical reasons why Catholics honor her so greatly. There is also a chapter I found really informative on "Mary and the Moslems" which tells about the Islamic beliefs of Mary, i.e. that she is to be the most honored of women and that the Koran speaks of Mary and the Virgin Birth of Jesus. This book would be wonderful for those wishing for a greater love for Our Blessed Mother, as well as those Protestants who mistakingly think Mary should be less revered and those beginning their conversion to Catholicism.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Magnificent Achievement, July 19, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The World's First Love: A Moving Portrayal of the Virgin Mary (Paperback)

A beautiful book on Our Blessed Mother -- remarkably thoughtful and incisive, and very well written. Moreover, for a book first published 50 years ago, "The World's First Love" remains fresh and relevant. To be sure, some aspects are a bit dated: Communism is not the threat it was in 1952, and the same is true of atomic war. Also, Archbishop Sheen has proven to be more optimistic than history has warranted. He more or less predicts, for example, that within 30 years (that is, by the 1980s) the world would have pretty much seen the Light that is Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Tragically, that wasn't true 20 years ago, and it's certainly not true today (if the sewage was up to our waist in 1982, it's up to armpits in 2002).

No matter. This is a beautiful book on Mary, and I heartily recommend it (along with "A Woman Clothed with the Sun" as a delightful companion piece).