Mary the Perfect Contemplative: Carmelite Insights on the Interior Life of Our Lady

by Barbara Hughes

Overview

Mary the Perfect Contemplative is a fresh and beautiful portrait of the Mother of God. From her immaculate conception to her bodily assumption into heaven, Mary was set apart by God as the vessel of humanity's redemption. Thrice favored as daughter of the Father, mother of the Son, and spouse of the Holy Spirit, Mary was endowed with supernatural gifts that enabled a contemplative life of grace. Unlike us, she was conceived without sin. Yet her reliance on faith, without the full vision of Gods plan of salvation during her earthly life, makes her for us the perfect model of faith. Pondering in her heart the mysteries she encountered throughout her life, she is the perfect contemplative. Author Barbara Hughes, O.C.D.S., looks to Sacred Scripture as the primary and essential reference for her portrait of our Lady. For colorful detail she draws on two thousand years of Sacred Tradition, sourced in the writings of the church fathers, saints, and theologians. Finally, Hughes finds further depth and exquisite details of Mary's interior life in the mystical writings of the Carmelite saints and Doctors of the Church. The saints of Carmel-the canonized brothers and sisters of Our Lady of Mount Carmel-are invaluable guides that help us navigate the mystical waters of contemplation and union with God, which Mary exemplifies. Saints John of the Cross and Teresa of Jesus teach us the importance of living by faith, especially when God appears to be absent or when his plans are veiled to the eyes of even the holiest people such as Mary. This book is for all of Mary's beloved children-to offer them an intimate portrait of their Blessed Mother.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781939272584
Publisher:	ICS Publications
Publication date:	07/01/2022
Sales rank:	1,073,176
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Barbara Hughes, O.C.D.S., holds a master's degree in formative spirituality from Duquesne University. A Secular Discalced Carmelite for more than three decades, she helped found a Secular Order community in Savannah, Georgia. As a wife, mother, and grandmother, she is an experienced retreat facilitator and spiritual guide, combining insight gleaned from contemplative prayer with pastoral experience on the parish and national level. She has authored numerous articles on prayer and spirituality, including as a regular columnist for The Catholic Virginian since 2000 and Liguorian from 2018 to 2021. Her book Ministry and the Mystical Path: Formation Guide for Lay Ministers (2009) is based on the teachings of John of the Cross. In Mary the Perfect Contemplative, Barbara Hughes takes readers deep into the interior life of Mary, by artfully weaving Scripture with the teachings of Carmelite saints.

Table of Contents

Foreword Father Pier Giorgio Pacelli, O.C.D ix

Acknowledgments xi

Abbreviations xiii

Explanation of the Sketch of Mary xvii

Introduction 1

Part I Daughter of Zion: A Scriptural Portrait of Mary 15

1 Nazareth: Preparing the Way for Christ's Coming 17

2 A Town of Judah: Crossing a Threshold 41

3 Bethlehem: The Birth of Jesus 62

4 Distant Lands: Offering a Light to the Nations 87

5 Jerusalem: Finding Jesus in the Father's House 105

6 Gana: Looking to Christ, the True Bridegroom 127

7 Galilee: God's Family Redefined 147

8 Calvary: At the Foot of the Cross 169

9 The Upper Room: Mother of the Church 193

Part II Blessed Virgin Mary: Mother, Model, and Intercessor 215

10 Prayer: Mary's Role in Our Journey Home 217

11 The Rosary: Mary's Flower Garden 235

12 Keeping Vigil with Mystery 252

13 The Joyful Mysteries 266

14 The Luminous Mysteries 285

15 The Sorrowful Mysteries 307

16 The Glorious Mysteries 325

17 The Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel 345

Epilogue 361

Appendix 1 Questions for Reflection 365

Appendix 2 Passages for Lectio Divina 375

Glossary of Spiritual Terms as They Apply to Mary 379

Bibliography 385

Biblical Index 392