101 SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT MARY. Fr David Vincent Meconi, S.J. Tan Books.2020.
Reviewed by Barbara Flynn
FROM the earliest developments of Christianity the Fathers of the Church, both East and West, have conscientiously and carefully fostered devotion to Mary, Mother of Jesus.
St Jerome (d.420) states “the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Lord, holds first place among all women”.
Mary’s significance in Catholic culture has not diminished through the centuries.
This importance is referred to in the first three Items of Fr Meconi’s pictorial documentary of 100 Surprising Facts about Mary where he gives brief explanations of aspects of the development of belief in Mary.
Using the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 129) as reference he explains that the Old Testament foretells the coming of the Mother of the Messiah.
Fr Meconi is an accomplished scholar and professor of theology “enthusiastic about conveying the beauty and truth of the Catholic faith”.
This is evident in the present book in his use of his selection of artistic representations of Mary in art, photographs, mosaics and lithographs from different cultures and historical periods.
He publishes regularly and lectures on Early Church history and ecclesiastical history.
In the comprehensive introduction to the 100 Facts about Mary, Fr Meconi teaches that Marian devotion and doctrine is linked always to the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Mary’s words to Jesus’ disciples at the wedding at Cana in Galilee (John 2:5) have significance beyond that event, particularly in Mary’s role as an intercessor.
“Do whatever He tells you.”
Further in Fr Meconi’s introduction, while giving insights into the rich Marian treasury, he explains briefly the proclamation of the Immaculate Conception (1854) and the dogma of the bodily Assumption of Mary (1950).
He concludes the introduction encouraging readers to enter into the “joys and sorrows of Mary’s life depicted within works of religious art”, apparitions, buildings and the information he is offering.
Many of the explanatory notes or annotations used with the selection of art reprints, photographs and mosaics indicate that many are sourced from “Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.”
There is no reference made to the use of Raphael’s famous painting of the Sistine Madonna which is the cover picture of this informative book.
While the contents of this book are mostly Church teachings, also included are a few folk stories.
Item 11: for consideration, “would angels have carried Mary’s home to Italy?”
Also Item 20: “the miraculous legend of a place in the Egyptian desert where Mary’s breast milk supposed to have spilled.”
There is no Table of Contents or Index to Fr Meconi’s material.
An inclusion of these would have assisted readers in locating information, for example, on the development of the Rosary from fingering small stones to use of knots in pieces of string.
Popes throughout the centuries have encouraged praying the Rosary as a way of meditation “on key scenes during the life and work of Jesus contemplated through the eyes and heart of Mary”.
The riches, truth and beauty of Catholic heritage documented by Fr Meconi through the visual medium along with the explanatory material could be used as a means of evangelisation.
Lumen Gentium, (Chapter 8) Second Vatican Council, encourages the faithful to have devotion to Mary.
Fr Meconi quotes the late Pope Benedict VI on Mary’s intercessory role.
He says: “Mary is near to us all and she is united to God: a spiritual mother who draws the Christian closer to Jesus in a relationship of truth and faith”.
An informative and enjoyable read.
Obtainable from St Pauls Book Centre, 277 Elizabeth Street or telephone (07) 3336 9236.
