'The life of Mary as seen by the Mystics'

[Gianna_MarieJMJ]

Hello all,

I have a question which Im hoping someone will kindly help me with!
My boyfriend has just recently been received into the Church. He had just recently told me how he is praying for a stronger devotion to Mary ( Funny how Mary was the hardest thing for him to understand before his conversion Anyway...I have been reading the book ' The life of Mary as seen by the mystics' And I personally love this book! I was wondering though if it would be a good idea to read this with him? I heard that some of the visions in the book and information may not be approved by the Church and I dont want to give him any wrong ideas. Does anyone have anymore information on this book???

I really hope this made sense!

God Bless!

[masondoggy]

I don't think it would hurt if he's open to it. Just make sure he understands where the Church stands with private revelation and that the book shouldn't be read as a "history" book. Even authentic mystics get things wrong. They are human and their writings are not protected by the Holy Spirit like the Bible is. Sometimes they mix up what is "revealed" to them with their own imagination. So it's not meant to be an absolute accurate story. But I believe it's most likely pretty darn close.

[midori_]

One thing that helped me be very cautious about private revelation, like masondoggy was saying, was when I came to the bit about ensoulment/mediate animation in City of God by Mary of Agreda. It's a fabulous, thought-provoking work... but suddenly finding myself face-to-face with something so aggravatingly medieval was jarring and unpleasant.

Now I don't mind picking and choosing with private revelation... it's okay to take what's profitable and leave the rest. Other things might be flat-out off, or just maybe a person isn't ready at that point in time for one thing or another.

So, while I've never read that particular book, just based on what I've read from the primary sources-- it's great that you have a relationship where you and your boyfriend can read and discuss a work like that together, but neither of you should be afraid to point out things that you have questions or concerns about. They exist.

[Gianna_MarieJMJ]

Thank you both very much for replying You both have really helped!