Behold Your Mother: Priests Speak about Mary

I enjoyed this book very much, but since I'm not a priest, I can't really relate to the extent of the bond that the Blessed Mother has with them. I, however, really appreciated chapter 9, "She Will Crush His Head", as it spoke to me personally more than any of the other chapters. As a Catholic, I believe in Mother Mary's power over Satan and this chapter, in particular, really touches on her love for all of mankind and how she can be, for each of us, a real healing and strong force against evil. When Jesus spoke from the cross to John and said "behold your mother", he was not only speaking to the priests of the world, but to all people. Only recently have I realized the enormous impact that His statement has had on me in my search for a better relationship with His Mother, Mary.

These 10 essays in which priests share their reflections on Mary have much to say to all of the faithful. Editor Msgr. Steven J. Rossetti, in his chapter on Mary and the Divine Presence, writes that "good" priests and Christians can manage without devotion to the Blessed Mother, "but such a road would be more barren than necessary, more stark than intended by our Savior." In addition to describing their devotion to and reliance on Mary, these priests spark their stories with messages for all Christians. Fr. Wilford Raymond, a Holy Cross priest, recounting a hospital visit in which he felt helpless, observes that Christ healed by curing, but "the healing that a priest does is closer to the way Mary heals: by silent witness and compassion." Rev. Louis J. Cameli, a Chicago pastor: "Recovery of the practice of the daily rosary has cleared a helpful path for me into the life of Christ seen through the eyes of the one who knew him best and loved him most: his mother." Msgr. Rossetti: Marian spirituality is "an essential part of our Christian spirituality as given to us directly by Jesus." The introduction and many of the essays refer to church history on devotion to Mary and to the support for such devotion by John Paul II, "Mary's Pope," and his successor Benedict XVI. Rossetti closes the book with a quotation from the Second Vatican Council: "Let the entire body of the faithful pour forth persevering prayer to the Mother of God and Mother of Men." (Lumen Gentium, 69)