An extensive and beautifully written study of the role and influence of the Blessed Virgin Mary in history, art and apparitions throughout the 20 centuries of Christianity. Beginning with Mary's significance in the early Church and the writings of the Church Fathers, the author moves on through Church history showing her inspirational role in building vast numbers of cathedrals; how the rosary and scapular came to be; the story of her intercession in the critical battle of Lepanto; Mary in the writings of poets like Dante and Donne, in the music of great composers like Schubert, in the paintings of the great masters and in the sculpture of Michelangelo.

Finally, it gives an in-depth look at the story and message of each of her eight great apparitions in the period from 1830 to 1933. This is truly a work of inspiration that will leave the reader in awe and wonder at the incredible grace, mercy and love that God has bestowed on mankind through the person of Mary, his mother.

Sample this book from Ignatius Press by John Martin, whose poems and essays have appeared in First Things, Chronicles, The Sewanee Review, The Christian Century, and The Chesterton Review. Not to mention The Remnant. And whose talents as a writer, to judge from his poems that have been published in First Things, here and here, as well as the odd letter to the editor, here and here, are substantial.