Looking for Mary: Or, the Blessed Mother and Me

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Summary: A Must Read for the Lapsed or Confused Catholic
Review: This book is truly a gift. As a catholic convert and a resident of a large hispanic community, I was confused by the devotion to Mary. Also, my son visited Medjugorje and as hard as he tried, I couldn't quite accept what it meant to him. Now, I'm beginning to understand. Thank you, Bevery Donofrio for starting me on my own personal journey to find and include Mary in my life.

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Summary: Disappointed..looking for Beverly
Review: This book started out so well..my heart pounding. The reluctant guru brought me in as I prepared to find Mary with her. I told friends about it before I even finished. I was learning wonderful things about Mary that I didn't know. I could hardly wait to get to the miracles, because she was so resistant, so irritated by others..I just could feel the transformation coming. But it never came..yea, yea, the sun was spinning, rose smells in the air, wondrous lights traveling through the room..But enough about Mary, let's examine MY problems. I couldn't believe it, she was completely unimpressed with the miracles, and wrote no real response to it. She was so blase that I wondered if these exact same miracles that appear time after time were somehow manufactured by the town. I was quite sure she would make me want to go to Medjugorje. But instead I just wanted to be spared her self centered life, that yes, did involve answered prayer, and a reconnection with her son, but she left me high and dry. I am not sure that Mary intended that, if in fact she was called to write the book. I will still be looking for Mary in my own way. But probably not by praying unceasingly about me and my problems. I will probably make use of all that time and help someone else as her Son suggested.

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Summary: A mother's struggle to love her child and know Mary
Review: This is a beautifully written memoir of Beverly Donofrio's struggle to learn to truly love her child, aided by a growing friendship with the Virgin Mother. Ms. Donofrio is very brave to have revealed the mistakes she made as a mother, even when this puts her in an unflattering light. Any parent who has struggled to put the good of a child ahead self-interest will recognize themselves in her story. Ms. Donofrio's search for Mary leads her to Medjugorje, San Giovanni Rotondo, Assisi, Guadalupe, and ultimately back to her son Jason and Mary's son Jesus. The only question that remains: can Hollywood rise to the occasion and translate this moving book onto the screen as beautifully as was done with "Riding in Cars with Boys"?

Rating:
Summary: A mother's struggle to love her child and know Mary
Review: This is a beautifully written memoir of Beverly Donofrio's struggle to learn to truly love her child, aided by a growing friendship with the Virgin Mother. Ms. Donofrio is very brave to have revealed the mistakes she made as a mother, even when this puts her in an unflattering light. Any parent who has struggled to put the good of a child ahead of self-interest will recognize themselves in her story. Ms. Donofrio's search for Mary leads her to Medjugorje, San Giovanni Rotondo, Assisi, Guadalupe, and ultimately back to her son Jason and Mary's son Jesus. The only question that remains: can Hollywood rise to the occasion and translate this moving book onto the screen as beautifully as was done with "Riding in Cars with Boys"?

Rating:
Summary: Faith, Hope, Forgiveness
Review: This is a must buy for all who are into finding your spirit. It's funny and very human-related. Beverly is down to earth when she describes her feelings and her thoughts. I was so compelled to read the book that I could not put it down. We are all looking for what links us to this earth and need spiritual guidance which is where Mary, our link to this earth, seeks us out. She gives Beverly messages and signs that she didn't even know existed until her trip to Medjugorje. She makes you think deep thoughts and helps you realize that forgiveness is there, you just have to want it and accept it. Pick up the book today, you won't regret it.

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Summary: We DON'T worship Mary
Review: This was a great book, I give it 5 stars. And for the people that mistakenly believe we Catholics worship Mary and the Saints, we DON'T. We just pay them the respect they deserve,we venerate them which is completely different from worshiping, we ask Mary and the saints to pray for us just as we would ask a family memeber or a friend to pray for us. Also there is nothing wrong with a statue of Christ, Mary, or the Saints. "A statue of any one of them is no different than the statue of a president, and a prayer card is no different than a photo of a loved one. The Rosary itself, was scriptural, reminding us of the angel's words to Mary at the Annunciation, as well of events in the Gospels, Mary is not the point of Marian devotion: the fruit of her womb is. She points the way to her son." (from Surprised by Truth 2) People criticize the Catholic Church from the missconceptions they have. I suggest you read Catholic Books to understand what the Catholic Church believes in and why. If you want to learn about the life of Christ you go to the Bible and not to a Buddist book, why then go to books that have nothing to do with Catholicism to learn about Catholicism? It doesn't make sense. Go and Read Surprised by Truth and Surprised by Truth 2. They are extremely easy to read and they will explain why people from other religions changed to Catholicism, and yes, they give you the reasons why, they explain them very well. I can tell you that once you read these two books you will understand the Catholic Church much better. Thanks and God bless you, Lilly.