6. Vision of Mary

[John]

This is the third book we have read in a year that draws a picture of Mary. We read The Reed of God: A New Edition of a Spiritual Classic in September 2021 and Dear and Glorious Physician in June of 2021. Which of these depictions of Mary "works" best for you? How is one better than the others?

[Manuel]

Caldwell's novel, being fiction, is at a different level from the other two and should be reviewed in a different way.

To the two non-fiction books we've read together, I'd add another one I read in 2020, "Our Lady" by the Spanish author José María Cabodevilla (Señora nuestra). This book deals with the life of the Virgin Mary, which provides examples to introduce questions that apply to the life of every Christian, such as prayer, humility, hope, the priesthood, suffering, and many others.

"The Reed of God" is similar, being a classic book of devotion to the Virgin Mary, although she becomes rather a pretext to speak about Jesus Christ, which is very proper.

The book we are discussing now focuses more on Mary and less on Christ.

I think all three approaches are justified, and in fact complete each other.

[Mariangel]

I agree that the depiction of Mary in "Dear and Glorious Physician" is different. As a novel, it focuses more in the impression Mary caused to St. Luke in the specific moment in time when they met.

The other two books explore Mary's role in salvation history more thoroughly and give much more to ponder.