A Short Treatise on the Virgin Mary

Rating:
Summary: A superb summary of the Catholic Church's love for Mary
Review: Fr. Rene Laurentin, a renowned scholar of Catholic Mariology, offers a veritable encyclopedia of information on the Catholic Church's beliefs regarding Mary, the Mother of God.

The beautifully written book contains three sections: the first is a brilliant synopsis of the history of Marian Docrine from the authors of the New Testament to the Second Vatican Council. This history reads like a novel and is clear and straigtforward in its presentation.

The second section looks at the life of Mary in her relationship to Christ. Topics covered are: the Immaculate Conception, the Perpetual Virginity of Mary, her life of faith, her union with Christ throughout his entire life and, in particular, her union with Him in His suffering on Calvary, her bodily assumption into heaven and her heavenly intercession. Perhaps the richest segment of this section is Fr. Laurentin's treatment of the Divine Motherhood of Mary.

The third and final section is a collection of ten or more appendices which contain a wealth of information on controverted Marian questions, such as the Marian texts of the Old Testament, the meaning of Mary's desire for virginity before the annunciation event, the meaning of her 'perpetual virginity' and the deep significance of the Greek title, THEOTOKOS, that is, Mother of God.

Anyone who is searching for a faithful and scholarly treatment of Catholic Mariology will find a veritable feast in Fr. Laurentin's Short Treatise on the Virgin Mary.