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"Prayer to Mary, the Mother of God, has been and continues to be an integral part of our Catholic
heritage. So often the Hail Mary or an invocation to Mary falls from the lips of Catholics. But
have you ever wondered about the origin of some of the most popular prayers to Mary? In The
Greatest Marian Prayers, Anthony Buono describes the origin of twelve great Marian prayers.
He begins by situating prayer to Mary in the history and theology of the Church. He then outlines
the history of appeals to Mary as these have grown through the centuries. In each of the twelve
chapters -- beginning with the Hail Mary, the most popular prayer to Mary -- the author presents
the biblical and historical origin of a famous Marian prayer and then shows how each prayer relates
to our life today. Other prayers discussed include the Hail, Holy Queen (a favorite of Saint
Alphonsus Liguori), the Angelus and the Memorare. With the exception of the Akathist Hymn from the
Eastern Catholic tradition, Buono gives the full text of each prayer. It would have been helpful
also to have the text of the Akathist Hymn as a whole rather than in parts throughout the chapter.
A welcome addition to the volume is an appendix, "Sixty Classic Prayers of Catholics to Mary."
This small book is an excellent tool for all who want to deepen their devotion to Mary." --
John Gouger, C.Ss.R. in Liguorian, July-August 2000
"This attractive book is designed for a general audience and provides historical background
and commentary on the most well-known and solid Marian prayers. Whenever possible, Buono traces
the biblical roots of the prayer (as, for example, in the 'Hail Mary') and its further development
in later Christian tradition. This is not meant to be a dispassionate historical work, however,
but to lead the reader to a deeper appreciation of the strong Catholic piety expressed in these
revered Marian prayers. --Donald Senior, C.P. in
The Bible Today, November 1999
"If most people were asked to name the oldest Marian prayer they would probably respond by
saying the Hail Mary -- good answer, but wrong. The Sub Tuum (in English, "We fly unto your
patronage") predates the complete Hail Mary. After a brief reflection on Marian prayer through the
16th century, the book offers historical development and reflection on 12 Marian prayers. Among them
are the Hail Mary, the Angelus, the Stabat Mater, the Magnificat and
the Memorare. The book is interesting and insightful to read and could easily serve as the
basis for a parish course on Marian prayer. --Rev. Henry Mancuso in
The Priest, December 1999
"Buono's slim volume presents some of the historically most popular Marian prayers, along with his
commentary on their background, use and theology.... Each prayer is presented in its own chapter
with a short history and a fairly detailed analysis. Buono's theological commentary is primarily
for nonspecialist readers, who may have recited these prayers for many years without stopping to
consider their theological riches. His line-by-line commentary will lead to a deeper appreciation for
the substance of the prayers; he reveals that the praise they express flows not from a naive adulation,
but from a deep knowledge of Mary's role in the mystery of redemption.... [The book] is a worthwhile
addition to any serious Catholic's shelf; indeed, a case for its indispensability could be made
solely on the strength of its appendix of 60 Marian prayers. This includes prayers from Church
Fathers like St. John Chrysostom and St. Augustine, to medieval saints like St. Catherine of Siena
and St. Anselm, to modern prayers by St. Maximilian Kolbe and Pope John XXIII. Included there is the
most beautiful paean of praise ever written in honor of Mary: Dante Alighieri's magnificent
"figlia del tuo Figlio" from the final canto of the Divine Comedy, a prayer he puts on
the lips of St. Bernard of Clairvaus. Buono's book may help make those immortal words known by
more Catholics -- and perhaps come to their lips spontaneously in times of prayer." --
Raymond de Souza in National Catholic Register, September
19-25, 1999
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