Our Lady of Perpetual Reading
While I was on vacation, I had the opportunity to read a book that taught me alot. Our Lady of the Lost and Found, by Diane Schoemperlen, reminded me of Sophie's World in that it couched what was basically an educational book in a novel-like narrative.
The story is told by a narrator, a writer, who is visited by Mary (yep, THE Mary, Jesus' mother) for one week. It seems that, in preparation of May (a month designated to honor Mary), Mary needs a quick rest, and she is looking for a quiet, out-of-the-way place to cool her heels for a week before the festivities begin. So, she shows up at our narrator's house, wearing a pair of white sneaks and a blue trenchcoat, and asks if she may impose for seven days. Flabbergasted, our narrator nods.
The two spend the week reading, watching the news, making lunch, and doing a bit of sightseeing. While Schoemperlen does not use this extraordinary visit to get her narrator to ask Mary direct or confrontational questions, Mary's appearance later spurs our narrator to find out more about the history of Mary - her life, sightings of Mary, and miracles of Mary that the Catholic church has recognized.
It was a fascinating read. The book delved into the histories of various persons who have attained sainthood and thier relationships with God, Mary, and other followers. I never knew there were so many sightings/miracles attributed to Mary, and I never realized how much information has been documented about the phenomenon.
I have a skeptical personality by nature, but this book has definitely whetted my appetite to learn more and do further research.
The story is told by a narrator, a writer, who is visited by Mary (yep, THE Mary, Jesus' mother) for one week. It seems that, in preparation of May (a month designated to honor Mary), Mary needs a quick rest, and she is looking for a quiet, out-of-the-way place to cool her heels for a week before the festivities begin. So, she shows up at our narrator's house, wearing a pair of white sneaks and a blue trenchcoat, and asks if she may impose for seven days. Flabbergasted, our narrator nods.
The two spend the week reading, watching the news, making lunch, and doing a bit of sightseeing. While Schoemperlen does not use this extraordinary visit to get her narrator to ask Mary direct or confrontational questions, Mary's appearance later spurs our narrator to find out more about the history of Mary - her life, sightings of Mary, and miracles of Mary that the Catholic church has recognized.
It was a fascinating read. The book delved into the histories of various persons who have attained sainthood and thier relationships with God, Mary, and other followers. I never knew there were so many sightings/miracles attributed to Mary, and I never realized how much information has been documented about the phenomenon.
I have a skeptical personality by nature, but this book has definitely whetted my appetite to learn more and do further research.
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