Mary has often accompanied the life and spirituality of Christian saints in both the Western and Eastern churches. In this compilation you'll discover a rich spirituality of the Mother of God which will challenge, inform, and strengthen the reader. Mary has always inspired individuals, families, and nations. Even in a secular era like ours, she is a reference point for many. Indeed, in recent times the understanding of Mary has been “updated” to emphasize not only her extraordinary sanctity, but her as a member with us in the People of God and as a model of the Church. Mary: Her Identity, Our Identity contains a collection of texts on Mary as contemplated by Chiara Lubich. What Chiara told a group of young people sums up who Mary was for her, and who she can be for us: “My vocation, which is also yours, more than speaking with Mary… is to live Mary, to be her, to do as she did, and, above all, that she should re-live in us.”

This interdisciplinary volume of text and art offers new insights into various unsolved mysteries associated with Mary Magdalene, Mary of Bethany, Mary the Mother of Jesus, and Miriam the sister of Moses. Mariamic traditions are often interconnected, as seen in the portrayal of these women as community leaders, prophets, apostles and priests. These traditions also are often inter-religious, echoing themes back to Miriam in the Hebrew Bible as well as forward to Maryam in the Qur'an. The chapters explore questions such as: which biblical Mary did the author of the Gospel of Mary intend to portray-Magdalene, Mother, or neither? Why did some writers depict Mary of Nazareth as a priest? Were extracanonical scriptures featuring Mary more influential than the canonical gospels on the depiction of Maryam in the Qur'an? Contributors dig deep into literature, iconography, and archaeology to offer cutting edge research under three overarching topics. The first section examines the question of "which Mary?" and illustrates how some ancient authors (and contemporary scholars) may have conflated the biblical Marys. The second section focuses on Mary of Nazareth, and includes research related to the portrayal of Mary the Mother of Jesus as a Eucharistic priest. The final section, “Recovering Receptions of Mary in Art, Archeology, and Literature,” explores how artists and authors have engaged with one or more of the Marys, from the early Christian era through to medieval and modern times.

From Marilyn to Mussolini, people captivate people. A&E's Biography, best-selling autobiographies, and biographical novels testify to the popularity of the genre. But where does one begin? Collected here are descriptions and evaluations of over 10,000 biographical works, including books of fact and fiction, biographies for young readers, and documentaries and movies, all based on the lives of over 500 historical figures from scientists and writers, to political and military leaders, to artists and musicians. Each entry includes a brief profile, autobiographical and primary sources, and recommended works. Short reviews describe the pertinent biographical works and offer insight into the qualities and special features of each title, helping readers to find the best biographical material available on hundreds of fascinating individuals.

The Blessed Virgin Mary is uniquely associated with Catholicism, and the century preceding the Second Vatican Council was arguably the most fertile era for Catholic Marian studies. In 1964, Pope John Paul VI published the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, or Lumen Gentium (LG), the eighth chapter of which presents the most comprehensive magisterial teaching on the Blessed Virgin Mary. As part of its Marian Initiative, the Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame invited scholars to a conference held at Notre Dame in October 2013 to reflect the rich Marian legacy on the eve of the Second Vatican Council. The essays unanimously stress that the Blessed Virgin Mary is not merely a peripheral figure in Christian faith and in the panorama of theology. More than fifty years after Lumen Gentium, students of theology as well as Marian devotees take their bearings from this document in order to promote the person of Mary and the study of Mariology, as well as grow in authentic Marian piety. This book will have great appeal to students and scholars of Catholic theology and history, particularly those interested in Mariology. Contributors: Ann W. Astell, Peter Casarella, John C. Cavadini, Lawrence S. Cunningham, Brian Daley, S.J., Peter J. Fritz, Kevin Grove, CSC, Msgr. Michael Heintz, Matthew Levering, Danielle M. Peters, James H. Phalan, CSC, Johann G. Roten, S.M., Christopher Ruddy, Troy Stefano, and Thomas A. Thompson, S.M.

New discoveries in archaeology and recent bestsellers and movies like The Da Vinci Code have sparked a renaissance over the many controversies that have remained unanswered in Christianity and other religions. With a unique perspective only Sylvia Browne could bring, THE TWO MARYS is filled with the details of the two most important women in the life of Jesus. Jesus' mother had an enormous influence on him, and it has mostly been marginalised by the Christian churches. Contrary to all the Christian religions, Jesus did marry Mary Magdalene and she too influenced his teaching. In THE TWO MARYS, New York Times bestselling author Sylvia Browne uncovers the hidden history of these two women in this remarkable book that will be the perfect gift this Christmas season.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1836.