The Glories of Mary by St. Alponsus de Ligouri
The Glories of Mary by St. Alponsus de Ligouri (1696-1787) is one of the greatest Catholic books ever written.
Actually, it is five complete books in one volume. Here the great Doctor of the Church has assembled the very finest information about Our Lady that he could find, all taken from many writings of Saints, Doctors of the Church and other holy authors, as well as from Sacred Scripture.
The first book (called the "First Part") explains the words of the Salve Regina (the "Hail Holy Queen"), showing how God has given Mary to mankind to be the "Gate of Heaven," even for those who may presently be entrenched in mortal sin.
The second book explains Our Lady's principal feasts-the Immaculate Conception, Nativity, Purification, Annunciation, Assumption, etc.-revealing to the reader's mind fresh truths about these mysteries in her life.
The third book explains the Seven Sorrows of Mary, showing why Our Lady's "martyrdom" was longer and greater than that of all other martyrs.
The fourth book describes ten different virtues of Our Lady, and the fifth book gives dozens of famous prayers, meditations and devotions to her.
Actually, The Glories of Mary contains even more than all the above, for St. Alphonsus' books are always packed with treasures on every page. For example, he also includes here the theological proofs for the Immaculate Conception, explanations of the mysterious invocations in the Litany of Loreto, and a description of Our Lady's death.
In all, The Glories of Mary amounts to nothing less than the greatest compendium of nearly 18 centuries of Catholic teaching on and devotion to Our Lady. Easily understood by all, this famous book is undoubtedly the best composite of teaching about the Blessed Virgin Mary ever penned and is one that will lead many souls to a greater love of Jesus through a more intimate knowledge of Mary and her exalted role in our salvation.
I received this book in the mail from America Needs Fatima. I do have to admit that it took me a while to read. I would read some parts and then put it down again for weeks. Then the last week of 2024 I wanted to finally mark it as finished so I powered through. I think it's mostly because it is translated from Italian and the sentences seem to be run on sentences. So I had to concentrate to wrap my head around the subject. I am sure it is much more beautiful in its original language, but unfortunately I am not fluent enough to read in Italian.
I loved the way the chapters were broken down with each one focusing on a line from the Hail Holy Queen prayer.
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,
our life, our sweetness and our hope.
To thee do we cry,
poor banished children of Eve.
To thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us,
and after this our exile
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving,
O sweet Virgin Mary.
I did love the insights, some I had not even considered before. I loved the prayers and want to photocopy some to pray often, especially the ones about praying for obtaining a good death.
I mostly loved the example stories. Many I wish were more fleshed out to become a short story. I would read that book as a collection of short stories! Many of the stories were about a man or woman, fallen into sin, being confronted by the devil to make a deal if he or she renounces Jesus and Mary. Those who would not renounce Mary, or called for her help, were rescued.
In the end The Glories of Mary teach us to call on our Mother Mary for her help. She loves us as her children, she prays for us and intercedes on our behalf. Even the most wretched sinner who prays to Mary and has recourse to amend his or her life, the Blessed Mother will be his or her advocate with Jesus. And don't forget to thank her and Jesus.
4 out of 5 Glories
A small fraction of memorable quotes:
Page 178: Rejoice with Mary, weep with Mary, pray with Mary, walk with Mary, and with Mary seek Jesus; in a word, with Jesus and Mary desire to live and die. Do this, he adds, and you will always advance in the way of the Lord; for Mary will pray for you, and the Son will surely graciously listen to the mother.
Page 176: On the other hand, the devils, as Thomas á Kempis affirms, are in such fear of the queen of heaven that at the sound of her great name they flee from him who pronounces it as from burning fire....
And as the rebel angels depart from sinners who invoke the name of Mary, thus on the contrary, our Lady herself told St. Bridget, the the good angels draw more closely around those just souls who devoutly pronounce it.
Page 102: Let thy soul thirst for devotion to Mary; preserve it always, never abandon it until you arrive in heaven and receive her maternal benediction.
Page 83: On this account she is also called a cedar: "I was exalted like a cedar in Lebanon," not only because as the cedar is free from corruption, so Mary is free from sin, but also because, as Cardinal Hugo remarks upon this passage, as a cedar with its perfume puts serpents to flight, so Mary with her sanctity puts to flight the devils.