May is for Mary

Today we are celebrating the Blessed Mother's month with some of the finest in Marian items.

Hail, Holy Queen, by Scott Hahn
Building on these scriptural and historical foundations, Hahn presents a new look at the Marian doctrines: Her Immaculate Conception, Perpetual Virginity, Assumption, and Coronation. As he guides modern-day readers through passages filled with mysteries and poetry, Hahn helps them rediscover the ancient art and science of reading the Scriptures and gain a more profound understanding of their truthfulness and relevance to faith and the practice of religion in the contemporary world.

Mary and the Christian Life, by Amy Welborn
In this book by best-selling author Amy Welborn, Mary comes to life for us, both as the mother of Jesus and as his first disciple. Through her expressive and meditative style, Welborn offers fresh insights into Mary's story, with all of its wonder, love, and adversity. Each moment in Mary's life serves as a mirror for us, showing us how we, as Jesus' disciples, can open ourselves in the same way to whatever he wants for us. Each chapter features selections about Mary from saints, popes, and church fathers along with explanations of the history behind popular Marian devotions, hymns, and prayers, from the rosary to the Salve Regina.

Mary and Me: Catholic Women Reflect on the Mother of God, by Ginny Kubitz Moyer
How does Mary, the Mother of God, speak to the modern female experience? Does she comfort, challenge or inspire? Ginny Moyer wanted to know how women today would answer those questions, so she invited women of all ages, some cradle Catholics and some converts, some lay and some religious, to share their thoughts on Mary. In the process of collecting women's stories, Moyer learned that the answers to these questions are as diverse as the women themselves.

Mary, Mother of the Son trilogy, by Mark Shea
This three-volume set of books by Catholic author Mark P. Shea, takes the reader on a tour de force exploration of the Marian dimension of Catholic thought, life, prayer, and practice. These three volumes will give you what you need to come to more fully appreciate Mary’s role in your life and the life of the Church — and to defend and explain her role to your non-Catholic (and even your Catholic) friends.

Rosary Meditations for Real Life, by James Hahn
A unique approach to praying the rosary by taking everyday life events and pulling them out of the mysteries of the Rosary. The mysteries are contemplated in light of the common events of our life - Work, Children, Addiction, Mass, Marriage, and Death. Additional meditations look at the mysteries through the eyes of various people like Joseph, Mary, Saint John, Judas, and others. This book will change the way you pray the rosary and help you learn to make the rosary part of everyday life!

The Rosary Workout, by Peggy Bowes
This must-read includes chapters on the history of the Rosary and the Science of Exercise. Each workout offers illustrations on how to incorporate the Rosary, the different meditations, and how to determine and work at the appropriate spiritual and exercise level (Angel, Archangel, Principality, Power, Virtue, Dominion, Throne, Cherubim, Seraphim).

The World's First Love, by Fulton Sheen
While considering the different phases of Mary's life, Bishop Sheen discusses various problems common to mankind of every age and reveals clearly that every problem can be resolved. He emphasizes the unique dignity, strength and gifts of women and their ability to help heal the world's problems. Sheen stresses mankind's need of the Mother of God and her burning love for all her children. The great resurgence of devotion to Mary is God's way of emphasizing the worth and dignity of every person against the false doctrines that have so confused the modern world.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Earrings, at On this Day Designs
A great everyday earring that's a wonderful reminder of Mary's Immaculate Heart. Medal is a colored enamel-like image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, with sterling silver ear wire.