Advocations and Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Book excerpt: Advocations and Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary is an exhaustive study focusing on early and recent apparitions of the Virgin Mary from different historical, religious, and social perspectives, including personal experience. The history of an apparition in the author's family over two hundred years ago is the primary motivation for this book. It was documented with a photograph. The purpose of this book is to provide readers with an in-depth knowledge about the apparitions and invocations of the Virgin Mary in different places around the world, with the hope to expand one's love of and devotion to Jesus' mother. In times of great social upheaval and moral and ethical decay, it is important to highlight the important symbols of faith and hope, renew beliefs, and consolidate positive Christian values. Consequently, a book of this nature gives believers and non-believers alike an instrument to promote new faith and belief, as well as to stimulate a curiosity in these traditions and assist in constructing new spiritual referents to prevent the collapse of such a problematical, valueless society that, without reflexion, will face even more harm in the near future. This text, then, which is written in simple yet agile language, can become a tool of reflexion for just about anybody, despite their creed or social condition.