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Maria Espejo de La Iglesia
Mary is a great gift and example to all Christians because in her God's Word was written and by her it was accepted and its grace manifested. In this she is, as the title indicates, a mirror of the Church, the people of God. She reflects what we are called to be.
While this work cannot help but discuss aspects of Mariology, it is not so much a study as it is a pilgrimage. Reflecting on and following Mary's example, as Father Cantalamessa presents it here, we enter into a pilgrimage of listening and obedience to God's Word.
While this work cannot help but discuss aspects of Mariology, it is not so much a study as it is a pilgrimage. Reflecting on and following Mary's example, as Father Cantalamessa presents it here, we enter into a pilgrimage of listening and obedience to God's Word.
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First published April 1, 1992
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About the author
Raniero Cantalamessa
159 books83 followersFather Raniero Cantalamessa is a Franciscan Capuchin Catholic Priest. Born in Ascoli Piceno, Italy, 22 July 1934, ordained priest in 1958. Divinity Doctor (Fribourg 1962) and Doctor in classical literature (Milan 1966). Former Ordinary Professor of History of Ancient Christianity and Director of the Department of Religious Sciences at the Catholic University of Milan. Member of the International Theological Commission (1975-1981) and for 12 years member of the Catholic Delegation for the dialogue with the Pentecostal Churches.
In 1979 he resigned his teaching position to become a full time preacher of the Gospel. In 1980 he was appointed by Pope John Paul II Preacher to the Papal Household and confirmed in that position by pope Benedict XVI in 2005. In this capacity he preaches a weekly sermon in Advent and Lent in the presence of the Pope, the cardinals, bishops an prelates of the Roman Curia and the general superiors of religious orders. He is also frequently invited to speak in many countries around the world, both to Catholic and Protestant audiences.
He has received an Honorary degree in Laws from Notre Dame University (Indiana), in Sciences of communication from the University of Macerata (Italy) and in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville (Ohio).
In addition to his early scholar books on patristic Christology, Easter in the Ancient Church and other topics he has published numerous books on spirituality fruit of his preaching to the papal Household, translated in more than twenty foreign languages.
For 14 years, from 1994 to 2010 he has run a weekly program on the first channel of the Italian state television (RAI) on the Gospel of the following Sunday.
From 2009, when he is not engaged in preaching, he lives in an hermitage, at Cittaducale (Rieti) ministering to a small community of cloistered nuns.
The 18 July 2013 he has been confirmed by pope Francis as Preacher to the Papal Household.
In 1979 he resigned his teaching position to become a full time preacher of the Gospel. In 1980 he was appointed by Pope John Paul II Preacher to the Papal Household and confirmed in that position by pope Benedict XVI in 2005. In this capacity he preaches a weekly sermon in Advent and Lent in the presence of the Pope, the cardinals, bishops an prelates of the Roman Curia and the general superiors of religious orders. He is also frequently invited to speak in many countries around the world, both to Catholic and Protestant audiences.
He has received an Honorary degree in Laws from Notre Dame University (Indiana), in Sciences of communication from the University of Macerata (Italy) and in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville (Ohio).
In addition to his early scholar books on patristic Christology, Easter in the Ancient Church and other topics he has published numerous books on spirituality fruit of his preaching to the papal Household, translated in more than twenty foreign languages.
For 14 years, from 1994 to 2010 he has run a weekly program on the first channel of the Italian state television (RAI) on the Gospel of the following Sunday.
From 2009, when he is not engaged in preaching, he lives in an hermitage, at Cittaducale (Rieti) ministering to a small community of cloistered nuns.
The 18 July 2013 he has been confirmed by pope Francis as Preacher to the Papal Household.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 10, 2019
I'm pretty Reformed in my way of thinking, but Father Rainero Cantalamessa (preacher to the papal household) is a breath of fresh air to read. As a pillar of the charismatic renewal in the RCC, he brings together an incredible depth of understanding of the deep Spirit-ual truths of scripture alongside the power of the Church fathers. As an ecumenical, he also brings a degree of understanding of Protestant brothers, whom he speaks directly throughout, and quotes Protestant leaders regularly (Luther, Calvin, Zwingli). Overall, well-researched, well-written.
As far as content, at certain points, his early treatment of Mary as a typological picture of the Church literally brought me to my knees in awe of God's sovereign hand; his portrayal of the passion of Christ and the enlivening Spirit brought me greater love for our Lord; his relation of the beauty of Mary's faith brought me to a reverence for the blessed mother of God; the necessity of Mary's role as mother of God for our understanding of the incarnation; and so many other gems of deep theological truth. Indeed, Cantalamessa is a Holy Spirit mystic in the highest order and deserves reading from any serious Christian mystic.
Despite all this, as much as I wanted to, I simply could not give this book 5 stars, and for good reason. His Roman Catholic treatment of Mary, at times, was so strained, so forced, that I found myself shocked that I was reading the same thoughtful author who had just elucidated me and fed my very soul, who had just produced for me gold from the depths of the Word through incredible exegesis, who had just so very carefully proved a truth through the Scriptures, only to then read an unfounded Roman tradition that heightened Mary far beyond her already stately office in Scripture. On such topics as Mary's intercession for the saints, Canatalamessa can only produce Apocryphal writings (which he admits Protestants don't take seriously), Roman traditions, "what if?" scenarios hyper-extrapolated from scripture and other unconvincing arguments. At first, I was worried my Protestant faith might be shaken in these topics, but honestly they were so extra-biblical as to be a wee bit laughable.
However, these occassions weren't often enough to diminish my absolute soul-satisfaction in the book, and I would certainly read it again and other Cantalamessa writings.
In conclusion, though I was let down by (admittedly weak) attempts at elevating Mary beyond her reasonable station, my view of Christ, Scripture, the Spirit and even Mary have all been extraordinarily heightened. I can't recommend the book to those Christians without a deep understanding of Scripture, as most of this book would be incomprehensible. But I can certainly recommend it for Catholic brothers, as well as other Christian brothers who want to go WAY deeper in their faith than they have. It will feed your soul.
As far as content, at certain points, his early treatment of Mary as a typological picture of the Church literally brought me to my knees in awe of God's sovereign hand; his portrayal of the passion of Christ and the enlivening Spirit brought me greater love for our Lord; his relation of the beauty of Mary's faith brought me to a reverence for the blessed mother of God; the necessity of Mary's role as mother of God for our understanding of the incarnation; and so many other gems of deep theological truth. Indeed, Cantalamessa is a Holy Spirit mystic in the highest order and deserves reading from any serious Christian mystic.
Despite all this, as much as I wanted to, I simply could not give this book 5 stars, and for good reason. His Roman Catholic treatment of Mary, at times, was so strained, so forced, that I found myself shocked that I was reading the same thoughtful author who had just elucidated me and fed my very soul, who had just produced for me gold from the depths of the Word through incredible exegesis, who had just so very carefully proved a truth through the Scriptures, only to then read an unfounded Roman tradition that heightened Mary far beyond her already stately office in Scripture. On such topics as Mary's intercession for the saints, Canatalamessa can only produce Apocryphal writings (which he admits Protestants don't take seriously), Roman traditions, "what if?" scenarios hyper-extrapolated from scripture and other unconvincing arguments. At first, I was worried my Protestant faith might be shaken in these topics, but honestly they were so extra-biblical as to be a wee bit laughable.
However, these occassions weren't often enough to diminish my absolute soul-satisfaction in the book, and I would certainly read it again and other Cantalamessa writings.
In conclusion, though I was let down by (admittedly weak) attempts at elevating Mary beyond her reasonable station, my view of Christ, Scripture, the Spirit and even Mary have all been extraordinarily heightened. I can't recommend the book to those Christians without a deep understanding of Scripture, as most of this book would be incomprehensible. But I can certainly recommend it for Catholic brothers, as well as other Christian brothers who want to go WAY deeper in their faith than they have. It will feed your soul.
February 6, 2009
Not perfect, but a good spiritual and theological reflection on the importance of Mary in the life of the Church and of every Christian.
December 4, 2010
Fabulous. Real transformation of thinking...and such love of the Spirit!
December 16, 2023
Un excelente libro sobre Nuestra Señora, la Virgen María. El autor encuadra a María en las tres virtudes teologales: fe, esperanza y caridad, y en los momentos fundamentales del misterio de la salvación: la Encarnación, la Pascua y Pentecostés. En consecuencia, este escrito nos hace amar e incrementar la devoción a la santa Madre de Dios
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2011
This series of meditations mixing mariology with pneumatology left me cold. Fr Cantalamessa seeks to develop a much less glorious vision of Mary (as a woman who was tempted, got wrinkles and died) that might be palatable to Protestants, much like the New Mass. Orthodox readers are also included with a series of icons that serve as starting points for some reflections. Quite incredibly, the most laudatory marian passages in the book are from the pen of... Martin Luther. Cantalamessa is overenthusiastic about Vatican II, believing that it renewed interest in the Holy Spirit (he does not mention Jean-Joseph Gaume's popular XIXth century treatise on the subject) and ushered in a new, non-hierarchical Pentecost resulting in a burgeoning of individual charisms. He even presents Mary as the first charismatic and the first evangelical. For some reason, the prose washed over my mind like water over a duck's feathers, even though I had enjoyed two earlier volumes by the same author, and this one came particularly recommended by a biblical scholar for whom I have the highest esteem. Maybe I was just in the wrong mood, but I found this a most laborious read.
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March 3, 2013Amazing way of explaining Christian spirituality in light of Mary. Chapter on prayer and many others excellent.
February 26, 2014
What an amazing book! I read it a few pages at a time on and off during my prayer times. I'm sad I finished it.
December 22, 2015
Kažkada Serafimas Sarovietis sakė, jog Marija - visų džiaugsmų džiaugsmas. Gera prie Jos prisiliesti.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews