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Maryam of Bethlehem: The Little Arab
Maryam Baouardy is a daughter of Galilee, from a very poor family. At the age of three, she lost her father and mother and was adopted by her uncle. She never learned how to read or write, but her life became a remarkable succession of supernatural manifestations, worthy of Catherine of Siena or Teresa of Avila, from the stigmata to singular battles against Satan.
From where does she draw the heavenly wisdom, childlike yet strong, that made her loved by all? Where does this burning love that consumes her come from? For her, just as for St. Paul, “to live is Christ”.
This beautiful “Lily of Palestine” became Sr. Maryam of Jesus Crucified in the Carmelite Order. Both humble guardian of the grille and formidable forewoman, she was often visited by Jesus and Mary. The words she transmits from them, pearls of great price, are significant for us today as they enlighten the future of our broken world.
Maryam died in Bethlehem in her 33rd year, on August 26, 1878, shortly after the birth of Thérèse of Lisieux in France. Pope John Paul II beatified her on November 13, 1983. It is impossible to know Maryam without falling in love with her, without yearning for holiness, at her school.
From where does she draw the heavenly wisdom, childlike yet strong, that made her loved by all? Where does this burning love that consumes her come from? For her, just as for St. Paul, “to live is Christ”.
This beautiful “Lily of Palestine” became Sr. Maryam of Jesus Crucified in the Carmelite Order. Both humble guardian of the grille and formidable forewoman, she was often visited by Jesus and Mary. The words she transmits from them, pearls of great price, are significant for us today as they enlighten the future of our broken world.
Maryam died in Bethlehem in her 33rd year, on August 26, 1878, shortly after the birth of Thérèse of Lisieux in France. Pope John Paul II beatified her on November 13, 1983. It is impossible to know Maryam without falling in love with her, without yearning for holiness, at her school.
128 pages, Paperback
Published January 24, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 25, 2021
Simplicity and Clarity
I recommend every age group read and meditate on the life and messages left by St. Maryam. She writes and explains the most profound subjects of obedience, charity and humility so simply a child can understand. St. Maryam lived these virtues to perfection. We can all learn from her.
A must read!
I recommend every age group read and meditate on the life and messages left by St. Maryam. She writes and explains the most profound subjects of obedience, charity and humility so simply a child can understand. St. Maryam lived these virtues to perfection. We can all learn from her.
A must read!
January 13, 2026
God belongs for people who will say to him: Lord, you can do whatever you want in my life. I am content with your choice in advance.
If we are faithful to our commitments, to our total gift of self to the Lord, the Lord will save many souls, and even entire cities.
The most powerful things against Satan are charity, humility, and obedience.
Pride has anguish in this world and in the next. Humility has joy in this world and in the next.
Humility doesn’t get upset about anything; it is content with everything.
Humility is the kingdom of God’s heart. Humility is satisfied with everything. Humility carries the Lord everywhere in his heart. It is God who gives the sincere humility of the heart. But you have to act. When there is true humility, you don’t worry about the esteem, the judgment, or the regard of others.
Always be content. Welcome everything as coming from the hand of God, accept everything. That is what humility is.
In a moment of ecstasy, Maryam told a sister who was a little fearful: practice only obedience to authority. Obedience and submission are two candles which light up the soul in darkness. It is in the dark times, in the terrible times, that one must allow himself to be guided by obedience.
Obedience always preserves us from every misfortune and from all the snares of Satan.
The great majority of saints obeyed persons who did not reach 1/4 of their spiritual level.
To obey authority is to obey God.
Obedience is to the soul what wings are to a bird.
In heaven, the most beautiful trees are those which had sinned most on earth. Why? Because they used their sins like manure, which they deposited at the foot of the tree. His sin, God can change into something positive in the service of the light. He puts his sins at the foot of the tree as one uses manure to fertilize the tree and help it bear beautiful fruit.
Each of the stubborn defects in our nature is a sign that the Lord wants to elevate us to a high degree in the opposite virtue. Only Jesus can find a way to use evil to make us grow in goodness.
Be very charitable. When one of your eyes sees evil, close it and open the other one. Change everything to good.
Be attentive to little things because everything is big in the eyes of God.
Take great care to keep tranquility of heart, because Satan fishes in troubled waters.
Be small; Be and remain small so that the mother keeps you under her wings, as the hen keeps her little ones and chases them away when they are grown. Be small. Jesus will keep you. See the hen and the little chicks: as long as they are small, she feeds them with her beak, she hides them under her wings; they lack nothing. Be small, the Lord will keep you, he will feed you.
The Lord does not reproach you for having sinned but for not having humbled yourself.
If we are faithful to our commitments, to our total gift of self to the Lord, the Lord will save many souls, and even entire cities.
The most powerful things against Satan are charity, humility, and obedience.
Pride has anguish in this world and in the next. Humility has joy in this world and in the next.
Humility doesn’t get upset about anything; it is content with everything.
Humility is the kingdom of God’s heart. Humility is satisfied with everything. Humility carries the Lord everywhere in his heart. It is God who gives the sincere humility of the heart. But you have to act. When there is true humility, you don’t worry about the esteem, the judgment, or the regard of others.
Always be content. Welcome everything as coming from the hand of God, accept everything. That is what humility is.
In a moment of ecstasy, Maryam told a sister who was a little fearful: practice only obedience to authority. Obedience and submission are two candles which light up the soul in darkness. It is in the dark times, in the terrible times, that one must allow himself to be guided by obedience.
Obedience always preserves us from every misfortune and from all the snares of Satan.
The great majority of saints obeyed persons who did not reach 1/4 of their spiritual level.
To obey authority is to obey God.
Obedience is to the soul what wings are to a bird.
In heaven, the most beautiful trees are those which had sinned most on earth. Why? Because they used their sins like manure, which they deposited at the foot of the tree. His sin, God can change into something positive in the service of the light. He puts his sins at the foot of the tree as one uses manure to fertilize the tree and help it bear beautiful fruit.
Each of the stubborn defects in our nature is a sign that the Lord wants to elevate us to a high degree in the opposite virtue. Only Jesus can find a way to use evil to make us grow in goodness.
Be very charitable. When one of your eyes sees evil, close it and open the other one. Change everything to good.
Be attentive to little things because everything is big in the eyes of God.
Take great care to keep tranquility of heart, because Satan fishes in troubled waters.
Be small; Be and remain small so that the mother keeps you under her wings, as the hen keeps her little ones and chases them away when they are grown. Be small. Jesus will keep you. See the hen and the little chicks: as long as they are small, she feeds them with her beak, she hides them under her wings; they lack nothing. Be small, the Lord will keep you, he will feed you.
The Lord does not reproach you for having sinned but for not having humbled yourself.
December 23, 2023
Whether you are religious or not, there are many good lessons to be taken away from this book. I’m not Catholic, but I found this book very valuable. My favorite quote is, “If you are thirsty and someone gives you water, give your glass to your brother who is thirsty; although you may be thirstier than he, you are sure that the Lord will give you a drink from His hand” (p. 78). Maryam put other people first and led with humility, obedience, charity, and love.
July 26, 2024
Simply phenomenal. A must read, at least once!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews