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The World's First Love: Mary, Mother of God
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.
276 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1952
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About the author
Fulton J. Sheen
531 books749 followersFulton John Sheen was an American bishop of the Catholic Church known for his preaching and especially his work on television and radio. Ordained a priest of the Diocese of Peoria in Illinois, in 1919, Sheen quickly became a renowned theologian, earning the Cardinal Mercier Prize for International Philosophy in 1923. He went on to teach theology and philosophy at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and served as a parish priest before he was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York in 1951. He held this position until 1966 when he was made bishop of the Diocese of Rochester in New York. He resigned as bishop of Rochester in 1969 as his 75th birthday approached and was made archbishop of the titular see of Newport, Wales.
For 20 years as "Father Sheen", later monsignor, he hosted the night-time radio program The Catholic Hour on NBC (1930–1950) before he moved to television and presented Life Is Worth Living (1952–1957). Sheen's final presenting role was on the syndicated The Fulton Sheen Program (1961–1968) with a format that was very similar to that of the earlier Life Is Worth Living show. For that work, Sheen twice won an Emmy Award for Most Outstanding Television Personality, and was featured on the cover of Time magazine. Starting in 2009, his shows were being re-broadcast on the EWTN and the Trinity Broadcasting Network's Church Channel cable networks. His contribution to televised preaching resulted in Sheen often being called one of the first televangelists.
The cause for his canonization was officially opened in 2002. In June 2012, Pope Benedict XVI officially recognized a decree from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints stating that he lived a life of "heroic virtues," a major step towards beatification, and he is now referred to as venerable. On July 5, 2019, Pope Francis approved a reputed miracle that occurred through the intercession of Sheen, clearing the way for his beatification. Sheen was scheduled to be beatified in Peoria on December 21, 2019, but his beatification was postponed after Bishop Salvatore Matano of Rochester expressed concern that Sheen's handling of a 1963 sexual misconduct case against a priest might be cited unfavorably in a forthcoming report from the New York Attorney General. The Diocese of Peoria countered that Sheen's handling of the case had already been "thoroughly examined" and "exonerated" and that Sheen had "never put children in harm's way".
For 20 years as "Father Sheen", later monsignor, he hosted the night-time radio program The Catholic Hour on NBC (1930–1950) before he moved to television and presented Life Is Worth Living (1952–1957). Sheen's final presenting role was on the syndicated The Fulton Sheen Program (1961–1968) with a format that was very similar to that of the earlier Life Is Worth Living show. For that work, Sheen twice won an Emmy Award for Most Outstanding Television Personality, and was featured on the cover of Time magazine. Starting in 2009, his shows were being re-broadcast on the EWTN and the Trinity Broadcasting Network's Church Channel cable networks. His contribution to televised preaching resulted in Sheen often being called one of the first televangelists.
The cause for his canonization was officially opened in 2002. In June 2012, Pope Benedict XVI officially recognized a decree from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints stating that he lived a life of "heroic virtues," a major step towards beatification, and he is now referred to as venerable. On July 5, 2019, Pope Francis approved a reputed miracle that occurred through the intercession of Sheen, clearing the way for his beatification. Sheen was scheduled to be beatified in Peoria on December 21, 2019, but his beatification was postponed after Bishop Salvatore Matano of Rochester expressed concern that Sheen's handling of a 1963 sexual misconduct case against a priest might be cited unfavorably in a forthcoming report from the New York Attorney General. The Diocese of Peoria countered that Sheen's handling of the case had already been "thoroughly examined" and "exonerated" and that Sheen had "never put children in harm's way".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
October 3, 2015
Easily the best Catholic teacher in American History, Archbishop Fulton Sheen outdid himself in this classic work about Catholic devotion to Mary, Mother of God. Many of you are familiar with Bishop Sheen as the outstanding teacher who held primetime TV audiences in fascination during his 1950s and 60s show "Life is Worth Living." But you may not be aware that Bishop Sheen as written a number of great books on Catholic teaching. And each of these books have the same outstanding arguments and excellent teachings that Bishop Sheen presented in his TV show.
The most amazing part of Bishop Sheen's teaching is that he makes obscure theological points extremely relevant to the modern reader. He mixes humor in with excellent reasoning to create a book that is both enjoyable and convincing. Bishop Sheen explains to the reader why devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is not just acceptable for the lover of God, but it is downright indispensable to having a full relationship with Christ. He explains how Mary was Jesus' first and most devoted disciple, and how through her commitment to God she restored to mankind the kind of love that God created us to live out. Bishop Sheen ties in the nature of love with Mary's love of Jesus. He shows us that a devotion to Mary will help us to love in a more pure way. And through her suffering he shows how Mary participated in the sacrifice of Jesus, the most beautiful act of love in the universe.
Before I saw this book on Amazon I was unaware that Bishop Sheen had ever written a book on Mary. After I read it, I am amazed that any Catholic should not read it too. This book is the best explanation of Marian devotion in print today. It is perfect for Catholics, for non-Catholics who are interested in Marian devotion, and for those non-Catholics who feel that Marian devotion is nothing more than a revived paganism. All of them will benefit greatly from this book. So, in short, I recommend this book to anyone and everyone!
The most amazing part of Bishop Sheen's teaching is that he makes obscure theological points extremely relevant to the modern reader. He mixes humor in with excellent reasoning to create a book that is both enjoyable and convincing. Bishop Sheen explains to the reader why devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is not just acceptable for the lover of God, but it is downright indispensable to having a full relationship with Christ. He explains how Mary was Jesus' first and most devoted disciple, and how through her commitment to God she restored to mankind the kind of love that God created us to live out. Bishop Sheen ties in the nature of love with Mary's love of Jesus. He shows us that a devotion to Mary will help us to love in a more pure way. And through her suffering he shows how Mary participated in the sacrifice of Jesus, the most beautiful act of love in the universe.
Before I saw this book on Amazon I was unaware that Bishop Sheen had ever written a book on Mary. After I read it, I am amazed that any Catholic should not read it too. This book is the best explanation of Marian devotion in print today. It is perfect for Catholics, for non-Catholics who are interested in Marian devotion, and for those non-Catholics who feel that Marian devotion is nothing more than a revived paganism. All of them will benefit greatly from this book. So, in short, I recommend this book to anyone and everyone!
February 7, 2012
My favorite Marian book so far. Need something simple and down-to-earth, yet enlightining and theologically rich? Something to kindle, rekindle, or enrich your personal Marian devotion? Just want to know why Catholics love Mary so much, and why you should?
If you will read only one book about Mary,choose this one!
Great book for anyone, but I'd recommend this one especially for:
*Those in RCIA, or interested in Catholicism
*Teens and young adults, especially those preparing for Confirmation or other Sacraments
*Anyone who feels uncomftorable or unsure when trying to answer questions about Mary/rosary/etc.
If you will read only one book about Mary,choose this one!
Great book for anyone, but I'd recommend this one especially for:
*Those in RCIA, or interested in Catholicism
*Teens and young adults, especially those preparing for Confirmation or other Sacraments
*Anyone who feels uncomftorable or unsure when trying to answer questions about Mary/rosary/etc.
February 12, 2009
This is the first Sheen book I ever read. This is what made me fall in love with Fulton Sheen. Now I want to name one of my kids Fulton, but Peter won't go for it.
March 4, 2020
Venerable Fulton Sheen was a hopeless lover of the Blessed Mother, as one can feel from the tenderly-chosen words in this love letter to Mary. Parallels and allegories from Tradition and tradition pertaining to Mother Mary were made throughout this tribute-- Ven. Sheen loved drawing full circles with them-- making this book a beautiful and regal portrait of the Woman.
March 4, 2019
To begin: anyone who thinks that upon coming across this review will be reading a pleasant intake of this highly irritating book -will be utterly mistaken. So if you liked this review - it is simply for the reason that you understand its honesty.
Yes - I am a catholic. Yes - I did not like Archbishop Fulton Sheen and this book of his concerning Our Lady.
Why?
Let us take a look at page 139 entitled "Mary and the Moslems".
First thought - really? A whole ENTIRE book (considering this is an abridged version) about the MOTHER OF GOD and here it is that SOMEHOW islam is enforced into it? A whole entire CHAPTER dedicated to Islam and Mary? But i thought according to Islam Mary is one of the Persons of the Trinity..... whats this got to do with Mary and the doctrine of her being the Mother of God?
Now - already one is sketchy because in light of the Modern Church of today, everything is about INCORPORATING; islam, homosexuals, other religions (inter-religious dialogue), the overuse of charity for absolutely everything (as though charity is an excuse for anyone to do anything), and the entire and complete denial of the Justice of God {because God is forgiving, people, remember you do not need to repent, everything is going to be fine because you are all forgiven (sarcastic attitude detected!!!)} is ALL HEAPED UP INTO ONE.
And here we are; Fulton Sheen has the SAME, EXACT light tone, fluffy attitude, here concerning Mary, like every other modernist one will face in the church today.
And let's give SOME examples of why this chapter is particularly irritating.
In the third paragraph, Fulton writes; "If Islam is a heresy, as Hilarie Belloc believes it to be, it is the only heresy that has never declined".
WHOA>>>>>> Brain Explosion.
Are you serious? NEVER declined? Not ONCE declined?
Uhm... Lets take a look BACK into history. There were MANY MANY times when Islam declined. Lets not look too back and say how about the 18th century? Europe became a rising power, colonising the entire west in the advancement of technologies. And THEN is islam seen to wax up and down within the 18th-19th century and decline again within the early 20th century (the two world wars).
This sentence ALONE poses enough problems for me to write A WHOLE DARN ESSAY ABOUT.
And whats with this twisting when Fulton says; "as Hilarie Belloc believes it to be"?
What; do you think that ONLY Belloc believes islam to be a heresy?
Do you, Fulton, believe that because Islam has not EVER declined that therefore islam is not a heresy at all?
I do not understand what you are implying? What are you feeding Catholic Folk who are ALREADY weak in the faith? ???????
After this sentence, Fulton continues to examine how heresies have floated away and etc, but islam has not. This begs the question then ... if islam has not floated away like other heresies, then is Fulton saying that there is something special about islam? Is islam, here again is what im sensing Fulton is implying, not heretical?
Wait, it gets better. "There was never a time in which it (islam) declined, either in numbers or in devotion to of its followers".
WHOOOOAAAAA! What an assertion. So am i to believe that Islam has never declined in its numbers? What? Is Fulton an expert in population reports over THOUSANDS OF YEARS? There is evidence to the contrary as aforementioned about the decline of Islam. It only follows from this evidence that that the devotion of the followers would too also decline.... Fulton baffles me.
Does not Fulton KNOW that islam's growth AND decline is primarily BASED on the 6 empires/caliphates that arose out of islamic militant leaders and brought islam up and then back down upon its face?
Islam was not an accepted identity previously from the 19th, or lets say really and truly, 20th century. It was constantly in war with the western culture. It tried to take over Europe. It has NOW, right NOW, currently, successfully overtaken Europe. The first time out of the 6 various islamic caliphates.
--------
It looks like that Fulton fits in with the vatican two crowd of incorporating inter-religious dialogue within the church, like the acclaimed church document called "nostra atate" - literally in latin "in this age". Perfectly droll, isnt it? 👌
-------
I will not proceed any longer upon this review. It has wasted enough of my time. 😤😤😤🤦♀️
Quite frankly, the entire book, really this abridged version, annoyed me. Light, fluffy, modern (by way of using modern contraptions and conceptions), and utterly depriving me of any spiritual enlightment and enjoyment has been a waste of time. Even for 5 minutes.
This is one that will stay upon my shelf, so that when the time comes I will have a tool (this darn book) which will become a topic of discussion in educating students in what NOT to read and what NOT to write about when discussing doctrinal matters. Or even spiritual, scriptural matters.
So: this is not a pleasant review as i warned you - and it is for the precise reason due to the honesty of review about this book. I hope you donot read this. 👍🧐😐
Yes - I am a catholic. Yes - I did not like Archbishop Fulton Sheen and this book of his concerning Our Lady.
Why?
Let us take a look at page 139 entitled "Mary and the Moslems".
First thought - really? A whole ENTIRE book (considering this is an abridged version) about the MOTHER OF GOD and here it is that SOMEHOW islam is enforced into it? A whole entire CHAPTER dedicated to Islam and Mary? But i thought according to Islam Mary is one of the Persons of the Trinity..... whats this got to do with Mary and the doctrine of her being the Mother of God?
Now - already one is sketchy because in light of the Modern Church of today, everything is about INCORPORATING; islam, homosexuals, other religions (inter-religious dialogue), the overuse of charity for absolutely everything (as though charity is an excuse for anyone to do anything), and the entire and complete denial of the Justice of God {because God is forgiving, people, remember you do not need to repent, everything is going to be fine because you are all forgiven (sarcastic attitude detected!!!)} is ALL HEAPED UP INTO ONE.
And here we are; Fulton Sheen has the SAME, EXACT light tone, fluffy attitude, here concerning Mary, like every other modernist one will face in the church today.
And let's give SOME examples of why this chapter is particularly irritating.
In the third paragraph, Fulton writes; "If Islam is a heresy, as Hilarie Belloc believes it to be, it is the only heresy that has never declined".
WHOA>>>>>> Brain Explosion.
Are you serious? NEVER declined? Not ONCE declined?
Uhm... Lets take a look BACK into history. There were MANY MANY times when Islam declined. Lets not look too back and say how about the 18th century? Europe became a rising power, colonising the entire west in the advancement of technologies. And THEN is islam seen to wax up and down within the 18th-19th century and decline again within the early 20th century (the two world wars).
This sentence ALONE poses enough problems for me to write A WHOLE DARN ESSAY ABOUT.
And whats with this twisting when Fulton says; "as Hilarie Belloc believes it to be"?
What; do you think that ONLY Belloc believes islam to be a heresy?
Do you, Fulton, believe that because Islam has not EVER declined that therefore islam is not a heresy at all?
I do not understand what you are implying? What are you feeding Catholic Folk who are ALREADY weak in the faith? ???????
After this sentence, Fulton continues to examine how heresies have floated away and etc, but islam has not. This begs the question then ... if islam has not floated away like other heresies, then is Fulton saying that there is something special about islam? Is islam, here again is what im sensing Fulton is implying, not heretical?
Wait, it gets better. "There was never a time in which it (islam) declined, either in numbers or in devotion to of its followers".
WHOOOOAAAAA! What an assertion. So am i to believe that Islam has never declined in its numbers? What? Is Fulton an expert in population reports over THOUSANDS OF YEARS? There is evidence to the contrary as aforementioned about the decline of Islam. It only follows from this evidence that that the devotion of the followers would too also decline.... Fulton baffles me.
Does not Fulton KNOW that islam's growth AND decline is primarily BASED on the 6 empires/caliphates that arose out of islamic militant leaders and brought islam up and then back down upon its face?
Islam was not an accepted identity previously from the 19th, or lets say really and truly, 20th century. It was constantly in war with the western culture. It tried to take over Europe. It has NOW, right NOW, currently, successfully overtaken Europe. The first time out of the 6 various islamic caliphates.
--------
It looks like that Fulton fits in with the vatican two crowd of incorporating inter-religious dialogue within the church, like the acclaimed church document called "nostra atate" - literally in latin "in this age". Perfectly droll, isnt it? 👌
-------
I will not proceed any longer upon this review. It has wasted enough of my time. 😤😤😤🤦♀️
Quite frankly, the entire book, really this abridged version, annoyed me. Light, fluffy, modern (by way of using modern contraptions and conceptions), and utterly depriving me of any spiritual enlightment and enjoyment has been a waste of time. Even for 5 minutes.
This is one that will stay upon my shelf, so that when the time comes I will have a tool (this darn book) which will become a topic of discussion in educating students in what NOT to read and what NOT to write about when discussing doctrinal matters. Or even spiritual, scriptural matters.
So: this is not a pleasant review as i warned you - and it is for the precise reason due to the honesty of review about this book. I hope you donot read this. 👍🧐😐
May 18, 2018
Bad Catholic that I am, I've always found it much easier to talk to Mary than to God. She seems so understanding and empathetic.
Fulton Sheen in a mystical way reveals the beauty of Mary. He has so much passion for the faith. Highly recommended.
Fulton Sheen in a mystical way reveals the beauty of Mary. He has so much passion for the faith. Highly recommended.
November 22, 2021
This was the first book I read by Fulton Sheen, and it was awesome! I learned so much from it.
Fulton Sheen is an incredible writer he does a great job at explaining things.
Fulton Sheen is an incredible writer he does a great job at explaining things.
June 5, 2021
Gosh, Fulton Sheen writes so beautifully and slam dunks every argument with very thoughtful and poignant points. He crafts a highly theological narrative for those that enjoy the intellectual side of the faith but also a beautiful portrait that stirs the heart of anyone wanting to learn more about our Blessed Mother. Highly recommend!!
April 14, 2022
ENGLISH: Many of the thoughts in this book are highly applicable today, seventy years after it was published. Let's look at a few quotes:
From chapter 2: Millions of us are seeking to give up their freedom - some by repudiating it, because of the burden of their guilt - some, by surrendering it to the moods and fashions of the time - others by absorption into Communism, where there is only one will, which is the dictator's, and where the only love is hate and revolution! We speak much of freedom today, Mary, because we are losing it - just as we speak most of health when we are sick.
From chapter 8: Home life is the God-appointed training ground of human character, for from the home life of the child springs the maturity of manhood, either for good or for evil... By making Himself subject to Mary and Joseph, the Divine Child proclaims authority in the home and in public life to be a power granted by God Himself... By a peculiar paradox, as the home loses its authority, the authority of the state becomes tyrannical.
From chapter 11: Once having boasted that [man] came from the beast, he now found himself to be acting like a beast.
The discussion in chapter 4, "When did belief in the Virgin Birth begin?" is quite similar to the way in which Robert Hugh Benson described his main character conversion (or his own) in his novel By What Authority?, by pointing out that the Scripture does not have authority to declare itself the Word of God, and that this authority belongs to the Catholic Church.
Chapter 15 (Equity & Equality) is very good. I wrote a similar post in my blog, titled "Numerical equality or equal opportunities": https://populscience.blogspot.com/201....
A few things I didn't fully agree. In chapter 7, Sheen offers an alternative about the age of Joseph: either he was old (which he rejects, together with Corinna Turner in her Old Men Don't Walk to Egypt: Saint Joseph), or he would have been quite young. I think he should have considered a third option: St. Joseph could have been in his prime, age about 40. Then he would have died between 65 and 70, a typical age for old men at that time. I prefer this option to the other two.
I also don't fully agree with his personal interpretations of what happened at the marriage feast in Cana.
ESPAÑOL: Muchas de las ideas de este libro son plenamente aplicables hoy, setenta años después de su publicación. Veamos algunas citas:
Del capítulo 2: Somos millones quienes tratamos de renunciar a nuestra libertad; algunos repudiándola, para escapar de la carga de la culpa; algunos, rindiéndola a los estados de ánimo y modas de la época; otros dejándose absorber por el comunismo, donde hay una sola voluntad, la del dictador, y donde el único amor es el odio y la revolución. Hoy hablamos mucho de libertad, María, porque la estamos perdiendo; igual que hablamos más de la salud cuando estamos enfermos.
Del capítulo 8: La vida del hogar es el campo de entrenamiento designado por Dios para el carácter humano, porque de la vida del hogar del niño brota la madurez de su humanidad, para bien o para mal... Al someterse a María y José, el Divino Niño proclama que la autoridad en el hogar y en la vida pública es un poder otorgado por Dios mismo... Por una paradoja peculiar, a medida que el hogar pierde autoridad, la autoridad del estado se vuelve tiránica.
Del capítulo 11: Tras jactarse de proceder del animal, el hombre descubrió que estaba actuando como un animal.
La discusión del capítulo 4, titulado "¿Cuándo se empezó a creer en el nacimiento virginal?" es bastante similar a la forma en que Robert Hugh Benson describe la conversión del personaje principal de su novela By What Authority? (o la suya propia), haciendo ver que la Escritura no tiene autoridad para declarar que es la Palabra de Dios, y que esta autoridad pertenece a la Iglesia Católica.
El capítulo 15 (Equidad e Igualdad) es muy bueno. Yo dije cosas parecidas en un artículo de mi blog: "Igualdad numérica o igualdad de oportunidades": https://divulciencia.blogspot.com/201...
No estoy de acuerdo con algunas de las cosas que dice. En el capítulo 7, Sheen ofrece una alternativa para la edad de José: o era viejo (y lo rechaza, junto con Corinna Turner en su Old Men Don't Walk to Egypt: Saint Joseph), o habría sido bastante joven. Creo que debería haber considerado una tercera opción: San José podría haber estado en su mejor momento, unos 40 años. Entonces habría muerto entre 65 y 70, una edad típica de los ancianos de entonces. Prefiero esta opción a las otras dos.
Tampoco estoy muy de acuerdo con su interpretación personal sobre lo que sucedió en las bodas de Caná.
From chapter 2: Millions of us are seeking to give up their freedom - some by repudiating it, because of the burden of their guilt - some, by surrendering it to the moods and fashions of the time - others by absorption into Communism, where there is only one will, which is the dictator's, and where the only love is hate and revolution! We speak much of freedom today, Mary, because we are losing it - just as we speak most of health when we are sick.
From chapter 8: Home life is the God-appointed training ground of human character, for from the home life of the child springs the maturity of manhood, either for good or for evil... By making Himself subject to Mary and Joseph, the Divine Child proclaims authority in the home and in public life to be a power granted by God Himself... By a peculiar paradox, as the home loses its authority, the authority of the state becomes tyrannical.
From chapter 11: Once having boasted that [man] came from the beast, he now found himself to be acting like a beast.
The discussion in chapter 4, "When did belief in the Virgin Birth begin?" is quite similar to the way in which Robert Hugh Benson described his main character conversion (or his own) in his novel By What Authority?, by pointing out that the Scripture does not have authority to declare itself the Word of God, and that this authority belongs to the Catholic Church.
Chapter 15 (Equity & Equality) is very good. I wrote a similar post in my blog, titled "Numerical equality or equal opportunities": https://populscience.blogspot.com/201....
A few things I didn't fully agree. In chapter 7, Sheen offers an alternative about the age of Joseph: either he was old (which he rejects, together with Corinna Turner in her Old Men Don't Walk to Egypt: Saint Joseph), or he would have been quite young. I think he should have considered a third option: St. Joseph could have been in his prime, age about 40. Then he would have died between 65 and 70, a typical age for old men at that time. I prefer this option to the other two.
I also don't fully agree with his personal interpretations of what happened at the marriage feast in Cana.
ESPAÑOL: Muchas de las ideas de este libro son plenamente aplicables hoy, setenta años después de su publicación. Veamos algunas citas:
Del capítulo 2: Somos millones quienes tratamos de renunciar a nuestra libertad; algunos repudiándola, para escapar de la carga de la culpa; algunos, rindiéndola a los estados de ánimo y modas de la época; otros dejándose absorber por el comunismo, donde hay una sola voluntad, la del dictador, y donde el único amor es el odio y la revolución. Hoy hablamos mucho de libertad, María, porque la estamos perdiendo; igual que hablamos más de la salud cuando estamos enfermos.
Del capítulo 8: La vida del hogar es el campo de entrenamiento designado por Dios para el carácter humano, porque de la vida del hogar del niño brota la madurez de su humanidad, para bien o para mal... Al someterse a María y José, el Divino Niño proclama que la autoridad en el hogar y en la vida pública es un poder otorgado por Dios mismo... Por una paradoja peculiar, a medida que el hogar pierde autoridad, la autoridad del estado se vuelve tiránica.
Del capítulo 11: Tras jactarse de proceder del animal, el hombre descubrió que estaba actuando como un animal.
La discusión del capítulo 4, titulado "¿Cuándo se empezó a creer en el nacimiento virginal?" es bastante similar a la forma en que Robert Hugh Benson describe la conversión del personaje principal de su novela By What Authority? (o la suya propia), haciendo ver que la Escritura no tiene autoridad para declarar que es la Palabra de Dios, y que esta autoridad pertenece a la Iglesia Católica.
El capítulo 15 (Equidad e Igualdad) es muy bueno. Yo dije cosas parecidas en un artículo de mi blog: "Igualdad numérica o igualdad de oportunidades": https://divulciencia.blogspot.com/201...
No estoy de acuerdo con algunas de las cosas que dice. En el capítulo 7, Sheen ofrece una alternativa para la edad de José: o era viejo (y lo rechaza, junto con Corinna Turner en su Old Men Don't Walk to Egypt: Saint Joseph), o habría sido bastante joven. Creo que debería haber considerado una tercera opción: San José podría haber estado en su mejor momento, unos 40 años. Entonces habría muerto entre 65 y 70, una edad típica de los ancianos de entonces. Prefiero esta opción a las otras dos.
Tampoco estoy muy de acuerdo con su interpretación personal sobre lo que sucedió en las bodas de Caná.
October 10, 2019
Looking for a good Catholic book? ‘Always choose Sheen,” says my Spiritual Director.
May 5, 2024
Although it took be a *few* months to finish, it was 100% worth the read, SO good! Fulton Sheen is strong and uncompromising about the power of Mary and her importance in this day and age of bringing the world to Christ: “His Mother would arise to illumine the darkness and lead the world to peace”!!
I love how he both dove deep into Mariology, the Rosary, the Seven Sorrows, etc. but also put the importance of Mary in the context of the modern world, describing the ways in which man is currently falling under tyranny of his nature / of science and how that can be rectified through doing God’s will and offering up our own will.
Lots of beautiful poetic imagery throughout that I especially enjoyed!
I love how he both dove deep into Mariology, the Rosary, the Seven Sorrows, etc. but also put the importance of Mary in the context of the modern world, describing the ways in which man is currently falling under tyranny of his nature / of science and how that can be rectified through doing God’s will and offering up our own will.
Lots of beautiful poetic imagery throughout that I especially enjoyed!
December 26, 2016
This was the fifth book by Fulton J. Sheen that I read this year. With each book that I read I find that with each book I read the more of his writings I add to my reading list. This book was an amazing read. It was very interesting reading Sheen's theology of Mary our Mother and her role in leading people to Christ Jesus. And this book with its focus on Mary and Marian theology is inspiring.
The Chapters in this book are:
PART I THE WOMAN THE WORLD LOVES
1 Love Begins with a Dream
2 When Freedom and Love Were One: The Annunciation
3 The Song of the Woman: The Visitation
4 When Did Belief in the Virgin Birth Begin?
5 All Mothers Are Alike-Save One
6 The Virgin Mother
7 The World's Happiest Marriage
8 Obedience and Love
9 The Marriage Feast at Cana
10 Love and Sorrow
11 The Assumption and the Modern World
PART II THE WORLD THE WOMAN LOVES
12 Man and Woman
13 The Seven Laws of Love
14 Virginity and Love
15 Equity and Equality
16 The Madonna of the World
17 Mary and the Moslems
18 Roses and Prayers
19 The Fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary
20 Misery of Soul and the Queen of Mercy
21 Mary and the Sword
22 The Woman and the Atom
It was very interesting reading about Sheen's focus on Mary in relation to the former Communist regime. But also his thoughts on Islam. For he states: "If Islam is a heresy, as Hilaire Belloc believes it to be, it is the only heresy that has never declined. Others have had a moment of vigor, then gone into doctrinal decay at the death of the leader, and finally evaporated in a vague social movement. Islam, on the contrary, has only had its first phase. There was never a time in which it declined, either in numbers or in the devotion of its followers." And from this his focus on the need to pray to Mary as an example to witness to and bring about the conversion of this group.
This book does an excellent job of explaining Mary's role within the Catholic church, and through her appearances, messages and ministry the job of drawing all of us home to God through Jesus. Sheen draws us in through the history of Mary and the church. And shoes her central role in history.
This was another excellent read. The book concludes with these words: "O Mary, we have exiled thy Divine Son from our lives, our councils, our education, and our families! Come with the light of the sun as the symbol of His Power! Heal our wars, our dark unrest; cool the cannon's lips so hot with war! Take our minds off the atom and our souls out of the muck of nature! Give us rebirth in thy Divine Son, us, the poor children of the earth grown old with age! "Advance, Woman, in thine assault upon Omnipotence!" Shame us all into enlisting as thy warriors of peace and love!" And this book will inspire us to grow in our faith and through that move is to action from the place of love. I highly recommend this book!
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Fulton J. Sheen.
(Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!)
The Chapters in this book are:
PART I THE WOMAN THE WORLD LOVES
1 Love Begins with a Dream
2 When Freedom and Love Were One: The Annunciation
3 The Song of the Woman: The Visitation
4 When Did Belief in the Virgin Birth Begin?
5 All Mothers Are Alike-Save One
6 The Virgin Mother
7 The World's Happiest Marriage
8 Obedience and Love
9 The Marriage Feast at Cana
10 Love and Sorrow
11 The Assumption and the Modern World
PART II THE WORLD THE WOMAN LOVES
12 Man and Woman
13 The Seven Laws of Love
14 Virginity and Love
15 Equity and Equality
16 The Madonna of the World
17 Mary and the Moslems
18 Roses and Prayers
19 The Fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary
20 Misery of Soul and the Queen of Mercy
21 Mary and the Sword
22 The Woman and the Atom
It was very interesting reading about Sheen's focus on Mary in relation to the former Communist regime. But also his thoughts on Islam. For he states: "If Islam is a heresy, as Hilaire Belloc believes it to be, it is the only heresy that has never declined. Others have had a moment of vigor, then gone into doctrinal decay at the death of the leader, and finally evaporated in a vague social movement. Islam, on the contrary, has only had its first phase. There was never a time in which it declined, either in numbers or in the devotion of its followers." And from this his focus on the need to pray to Mary as an example to witness to and bring about the conversion of this group.
This book does an excellent job of explaining Mary's role within the Catholic church, and through her appearances, messages and ministry the job of drawing all of us home to God through Jesus. Sheen draws us in through the history of Mary and the church. And shoes her central role in history.
This was another excellent read. The book concludes with these words: "O Mary, we have exiled thy Divine Son from our lives, our councils, our education, and our families! Come with the light of the sun as the symbol of His Power! Heal our wars, our dark unrest; cool the cannon's lips so hot with war! Take our minds off the atom and our souls out of the muck of nature! Give us rebirth in thy Divine Son, us, the poor children of the earth grown old with age! "Advance, Woman, in thine assault upon Omnipotence!" Shame us all into enlisting as thy warriors of peace and love!" And this book will inspire us to grow in our faith and through that move is to action from the place of love. I highly recommend this book!
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Fulton J. Sheen.
(Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!)
February 27, 2013
Read as a devotional to Our Lady while also reading Kempis's "Imitation of Christ," I came away enriched due to Bishop Sheen's extraordinary ability to weave theology, philosophy, history, and spirituality in such an effortless manner. In Part I: "The Woman the World Loves," Sheen has us walk with him through all the significant events of Mary's life, contemplating her reactions and the significance of them for all time and for each of us personally. The second part, "The World the Woman Loves," tackles a variety of issues in the modern world in light of the example of the Virgin. Virginity, equality, Islam, the Rosary, suffering, and the nuclear age, are all topics worked through splendidly in light of Mary. And, although it is sixty years old, it rarely feels dated. In fact, I noted a number of times when his prescience in noting problematic trends in his time have continued on a trajectory that find them amplified many times over in our world today.
This is a book that is to be savored, not devoured. A good plan is to take no more than a chapter a day (about 10-12 pages on average) with a pen and pad at your side. Jot down concepts and quotes that particularly strike you and use those as meditation for the day. When you are done with the book, I venture to say that you will have a handsome set of notes that you can refer to often for inspiration for yourself or that you will want to share.
This is a book that is to be savored, not devoured. A good plan is to take no more than a chapter a day (about 10-12 pages on average) with a pen and pad at your side. Jot down concepts and quotes that particularly strike you and use those as meditation for the day. When you are done with the book, I venture to say that you will have a handsome set of notes that you can refer to often for inspiration for yourself or that you will want to share.
January 29, 2014
It took me a little while to get into this book, but I found in Chapter 12 a section on the nature of men and women that was fascinating as well as insightful. I would read this book just for this section, but there's more!
This book wins just for these sentences: "Which stands up better in a crisis - man or woman? The best way to arrive at a conclusion is to go to the greatest crisis the world ever faced, namely, the Crucifixion of Our Divine Lord. When we come to this great drama of Calvary, there is one fact that stands out very clearly: men failed." LOL!!!
I enjoyed reading the second half of the book more than the first half of the book and found many sections worth pondering in my own heart, the way Mary pondered these mysteries during her lifetime here on Earth.
This book wins just for these sentences: "Which stands up better in a crisis - man or woman? The best way to arrive at a conclusion is to go to the greatest crisis the world ever faced, namely, the Crucifixion of Our Divine Lord. When we come to this great drama of Calvary, there is one fact that stands out very clearly: men failed." LOL!!!
I enjoyed reading the second half of the book more than the first half of the book and found many sections worth pondering in my own heart, the way Mary pondered these mysteries during her lifetime here on Earth.
August 18, 2013
“The World’s First Love” is a collection of Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s writings on the Blessed Virgin Mary. In this book, as on his television programs, the Archbishop Sheen weaves together scripture, theology and human experience with his own unique insights. His chapters deal with Love, that begins as a dream, the relationship of love and freedom , the origins of belief in the virgin birth, Mary as compared to all mothers, the marriage of Mary and Joseph, the role of the Marriage Feast at Cana in the advancement of Jesus’ ministry and on from there.
“The World’s First Love” offers the reader guidance in the contemplation of the mystery of the Mother of God. Although it is old, it is definitely worth the time to read and meditate.
“The World’s First Love” offers the reader guidance in the contemplation of the mystery of the Mother of God. Although it is old, it is definitely worth the time to read and meditate.
October 10, 2019
I've never highlighted (digitally) so many book passages in my life! Sheen was skilled at encapsulating profound truth in a succinct sentence or two. I appreciate his keen insight and vast knowledge used here to explain the Blessed Mother's role in great depth. A few areas grew a little dull, and the final chapter and its focus on the atomic bomb was rather dated, but most observations apply just as readily now (or even more so) as when Sheen wrote them.
June 21, 2012
Sheen brings his mastery of language and devotion to Our Lady. It's a great book and a necessary one for Catholics who have a hard time understanding why Mary is so important (and really necessary) for the Catholic Faith.
March 16, 2013
This is one of the greatest works on Mary that exists. Fulton Sheen clearly brings to light many aspects of Our Lady and what it means to Christians. It is a good introduction to anyone who needs to know anything about Marian devotion.
January 26, 2026
The World’s First Love is Venerable Fulton J. Sheen’s love letter to Our Blessed Mother. In it, he ventures to explain why the human heart is so naturally ordered toward fondness and awe of her, and how she stands as a remedy to the mid-twentieth-century crises of rising atheism, Freudian psychology, the looming fear of the atomic bomb, and the reduction of man and woman to little more than advanced beasts. I love the passion with which Sheen speaks in his many talks and sermons, and I found that same fire in the way he writes here about the Mother of God, my first foray into his writing.
September 25, 2021
The first book I’ve read by Archbishop Sheen, but certainly will not be my last. It is obvious that he has a great love for Mary, but a love that points always back to Jesus. His knowledge of scripture, history and current affairs (at least from his time period) allow him to weave a seamless and powerful picture in defense of devotion to and love of Mary.
March 29, 2020
This book is amazing! Especially as Lenten reading to deepen my knowledge and appreciation of Our Blessed Mother. So many great quotes in this book too. One of my favorites, and a great response to anyone who thinks devotion to Mary somehow takes away from devotion to Jesus (it is actually the exact opposite), "If the only charge Our Lord has against us on Judgment day is that we loved His Mother then we shall be very happy!"
January 4, 2025
As typical with Sheen, this book is beautifully written and contains a wealth of knowledge - yes on Mary, but more importantly on her relationship with her Son, Jesus Christ. Highly recommend to anyone, and especially to the mommas out there. Lots to ponder and was even moved to shed some tears.
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
July 12, 2025
It is with a certain disappointment that we are still waiting for the late great Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen to be raised to the altars. A prolific lecturer and writer, Sheen claimed "The World's First Love" as his masterpiece, and that isn't surprising for a man who loved the Blessed Mother deeply. This book is a mix of scripture, dogma, apologetics, poetry, prayer, history, and prophecy. Whoever you are and wherever you stand on Mary, this book will leave you wiser and more hopeful.
July 4, 2023
A brilliant treatise on Mary - spiritually, socially, anthropologically & philosophically as expected from Ven. Sheen.
December 27, 2020
One of the greatest and most relevant books on Mary for our times. Highly recommend.
September 23, 2015
This book answered many questions I've always had about Our Blessed Virgin Mary, and I'm a "cradle Catholic". Bishop Sheen shares beautiful Scriptural insights and teaches early church history in a mostly easy to read format. I almost didn't finish this because by the second half of the book he is repeating reflections already presented and also the literary style gets a bit flowery or "old fashioned." That being said, I am very glad I stuck with it and am quite struck by a book written in the 1950's which has much to say about religious/political conflict, especially in Africa and the Middle East, in 2015 and how to solve it by going in prayer to the great Mediatrix, Mary the Mother of God.
August 27, 2015
I've loved all of the episodes of Life Is Worth Living I've seen, so I expected more of the same awesomeness from this book. I was not disappointed. Archbishop Sheen shares a series of masterful reflections on the Blessed Virgin Mary and her role in Catholic theology and Catholic life and worldview. He makes compelling arguments for the Virgin Birth being a secret until after the Resurrection and for St. Joseph's being a young man. The level is pretty highly academic, but if you chew on it, you will find his insights profound and enlivening.
Read my full review at Austin Catholic New Media.
Read my full review at Austin Catholic New Media.
October 23, 2015
Excellent work! This book presents an inspiring spiritual portrait of Our Lady and how we, in modern times, should relate and turn to her. Not difficult to read or comprehend. I also love that Sheen doesn't mince words, and when he wants to make a point about something - be it bad or good - the reader unquestioningly knows what it is. I found this particularly helpful as a modern woman as he points out many of society's misconceptions about the Church's view of women and how modern, anti-Christian feminism and things like contraception do more to harm women than help them. Great read!
July 18, 2009
Fulton Sheen is an excellent writer. He has the ability to put beautifully into words mysteries that are naturally difficult to verbally pin down. His insights helped me to appreciate and understand more completely the significance of Our Blessed Mother.
December 19, 2007
A great read...I think I want to pick it up a second time!
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