This groundbreaking book looks at the major approved Marian apparitions of the last five centuries and relates them to important historical moments: the Reformation, the French and Russian Revolutions, the rise of Nazism. These Marian apparitions, and particularly Fatima, are not historically unimportant events, but rather follow a preordained plan: they have a crucial role in helping us to see how the modern world, with all its problems, has developed. Donal Foley makes clear the fascinating and intriguing connections between Marian apparitions and the Scriptural types of Mary found in the Bible, a crucial element in the theology and exegesis of the early Church Fathers. By understanding these biblical types and their symbolism we see that each of the apparitions has a much greater significance for both the Church and the modern world than has generally been recognised. Here is a convincing demonstration that the future of the Church, and the papacy, is intimately bound up with a proper understanding of the role of Mary: there will only be true peace in the world when her message is accepted and lived. If you thought you really understood how the modern world developed, and the role and meaning of Marian apparitions, then this book will make you think again. 'Donal Foley has written a book with an extraordinary message.' Aidan Nichols,O.P. 'A very important contribution to our understanding and appreciation of private revelations. Far from being random events without relation to divine Providence or substitutes and supplements of public revelation, the approved Marian apparitions of modern times (beginning with that of Guadalupe in Mexico in 1531) reveal a pattern foretold in the Bible.these revelations are events at the center of the history in which they occur and in virtue of the biblical typology which they incorporate so profoundly enable us correctly to interpret and participate in that history. Not only scholars and believers, but also the general public will find this volume informative and inspirational.' Peter M. Fehlner, F.I. Donal Anthony Foley has degrees in Humanities and Theology and lives in Nottingham, England. He now combines writing with part-time teaching. He has been interested in Fatima since the 1980s, and has made a particular study of Marian apparitions since the mid-90s. He has written articles for a number of Catholic magazines including the Homiletic and Pastoral Review and has produced a Catholic website particularly aimed at promoting Fatima and apparition discernment; this can be accessed at: www.theotokos.org.uk
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Why should you buy this book rather than one of the many others about Marian Apparitions?
Because there is nothing, as far as I am aware, which goes into such detail regarding the historical background to the apparitions, nor anything at all - apart from a single sermon on St Bernadette by Mgsr. Ronald Knox - which looks the comparison between the apparitions and biblical typology.
Marian Apparitions, the Bible and the Modern World, presents a new and unique way of looking at this topic, in a book which gives the reader a mixture of history, Marian apparitions, and biblical typology, all in relation to the present world situation.
This book traces the underlying historical connections between the various revolutions which have affected society since the Reformation. It shows too how the important Marian apparitions can be regarded as preludes or responses to these revolutions.
The implication of this is that, far from being unimportant appearances, merely to exhort the pious recitation of the rosary etc., the approved apparitions, and particularly Fatima, are very important, indeed crucial, if we are to understand how the world has reached its present situation. In addition, only the major recognized apparitions are dealt with, and thus there is nothing here contrary to the teaching of the Catholic Church.
If you are a interested in apparitions, or history, then this book will appeal to you. If you are not Catholic then hopefully the biblical approach taken here will be attractive to you, or at least make you pause to think about the role of Mary. In short there is something for everyone here who is interested in finding out more about the real significance of the Marian apparitions.
About the Author
Donal Anthony Foley has degrees in Humanities and Theology and lives in Nottingham, England. He now combines writing and part-time teaching. He has been interested in Fatima since the 1980s, and has made a particular study of Marian apparitions since the mid-90s. He has written articles for a number of Catholic magazines, including the Homiletic and Pastoral Review and has produced a Catholic website particularly aimed at promoting Fatima and apparition discernment.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Why have there been apparitions of Mary at Lourdes, Fatima and other places approved by the Catholic Church? Donal Foley argues convincingly that they follow a "preordained plan." As nothing new can be added to the Deposit of Faith, Mary in her apparitions calls us back to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
More wonderful still, the author shows how these apparitions are a recollection of the various typological " appearances" of Mary in the Bible itself. The apparitions of Mary are seen to have been foreshadowed by the Biblical events.
The author further relates the various apparitions to great historical events in the last five hundred years including the Reformation, the French Revolution and Communism:
"What seems to have happened is that Mary in her apparitions has been playing a more important ‘visible’ role as the influence of the Church ….has lessened."
Among the apparitions covered are those at Guadalupe, La Salette, Lourdes, Pontmain, Knock and Fatima. The author clearly believes that the message of Fatima is especially relevant to our age. The less well known apparitions at Tre Fontane and L’Ile Bouchard are also mentioned.
What is particularly pleasing is the manner in which the apparitions are linked to the great historical events in the world and in the Church.
This work is highly recommended. It is both scholarly and readable. There is little in the way of an apocalyptic mentality which can so easily put off the average reader.
More wonderful still, the author shows how these apparitions are a recollection of the various typological " appearances" of Mary in the Bible itself. The apparitions of Mary are seen to have been foreshadowed by the Biblical events.
The author further relates the various apparitions to great historical events in the last five hundred years including the Reformation, the French Revolution and Communism:
"What seems to have happened is that Mary in her apparitions has been playing a more important ‘visible’ role as the influence of the Church ….has lessened."
Among the apparitions covered are those at Guadalupe, La Salette, Lourdes, Pontmain, Knock and Fatima. The author clearly believes that the message of Fatima is especially relevant to our age. The less well known apparitions at Tre Fontane and L’Ile Bouchard are also mentioned.
What is particularly pleasing is the manner in which the apparitions are linked to the great historical events in the world and in the Church.
This work is highly recommended. It is both scholarly and readable. There is little in the way of an apocalyptic mentality which can so easily put off the average reader.
Pravin Thevathasan
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Paul MacLeod
Format:Paperback
For anyone interested in world events, and in particular the collapse
of the Soviet Union, Donal Foley's latest book brings together the
underlying - and often unsuspected - threads of history. It manages
to achieve three purposes, all in a clear and very readable manner.
The primary purpose is to relate and explain the interventions of the
Virgin Mary in human history over the past half-millennium. This it
does in a dispassionate manner that will resonate with the reader of
any religious faith or none.
At the same time, it draws fascinating parallels with persons and
events in the Old Testament, illustrating how Mary stands between the
two covenants, uniting the continuing story of God's dealing with
mankind. Foley even manages to explain the significance of Bernadette
of Lourdes eating leaves!
(The book deals with only authentic Marian apparitions; the false
ones will be the subject of a further book by Donal Foley.)
Beyond these two aspects of the book, however, and quite apart from
the role of Mary, Foley's account of developments in European history
from the Reformation to the present day uncovers a continuing pattern
of cause and effect. The historical information is easily absorbed,
and in themselves, these sections of the book would make an excellent
history textbook for schools.
One commendable feature is the listing of the copious footnotes in
one continuous section at the end, making for easier reference.
For some, this book is a ringing confirmation of what they already
know; for others, an eye-opening examination of world events.
of the Soviet Union, Donal Foley's latest book brings together the
underlying - and often unsuspected - threads of history. It manages
to achieve three purposes, all in a clear and very readable manner.
The primary purpose is to relate and explain the interventions of the
Virgin Mary in human history over the past half-millennium. This it
does in a dispassionate manner that will resonate with the reader of
any religious faith or none.
At the same time, it draws fascinating parallels with persons and
events in the Old Testament, illustrating how Mary stands between the
two covenants, uniting the continuing story of God's dealing with
mankind. Foley even manages to explain the significance of Bernadette
of Lourdes eating leaves!
(The book deals with only authentic Marian apparitions; the false
ones will be the subject of a further book by Donal Foley.)
Beyond these two aspects of the book, however, and quite apart from
the role of Mary, Foley's account of developments in European history
from the Reformation to the present day uncovers a continuing pattern
of cause and effect. The historical information is easily absorbed,
and in themselves, these sections of the book would make an excellent
history textbook for schools.
One commendable feature is the listing of the copious footnotes in
one continuous section at the end, making for easier reference.
For some, this book is a ringing confirmation of what they already
know; for others, an eye-opening examination of world events.
By J. Verheyden
Format:Paperback
This book deals with 3 topics: history and its relation to the Church; apparitions of Mary that are approved by the Church and typology (linking the apparitions to descriptions or events in the Old Testament).
I found the historic part very interesting. I appreciated the detailed description of the major apparitions (but they can be found in other books as well, e.g. the one by Yves Chiron) but I found the typology a bit farfetched, to say the least.
The links between the apparitions are not so clear as the author wants us to believe.
Most irritating aspect of the book is the complete lack of criticism versus the Church and the role of the popes. And that makes the author a bit suspicious to me. And finally, he is a creationist. Good to know in advance!
I found the historic part very interesting. I appreciated the detailed description of the major apparitions (but they can be found in other books as well, e.g. the one by Yves Chiron) but I found the typology a bit farfetched, to say the least.
The links between the apparitions are not so clear as the author wants us to believe.
Most irritating aspect of the book is the complete lack of criticism versus the Church and the role of the popes. And that makes the author a bit suspicious to me. And finally, he is a creationist. Good to know in advance!
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Helped shed new light on a familiar (?) topic
I recently finished reading this book and I can say that it was a most enjoyable page-turner. Correlating the various Marian apparitions with history and the Bible was very... Read more
Published on 24 May 2010 by Bazzer
2.0 out of 5 stars
Far from the real question
Hundreds of facts based on a deep historical research within the Fatima archives have shown that this kind of apparitional events are contaminated by naif and uncontrolled rumors... Read more
Published on 30 Sep 2007 by Giordano Bruno
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Book Review
Why have there been apparitions of Mary at Lourdes, Fatima and other places approved by the Catholic Church? Donal Foley argues convincingly that they follow a "preordained plan. Read more
Published on 14 April 2003 by Pravin Thevathasan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Why things happen as they do
For anyone interested in world events, and in particular the collapse of the Soviet Union, Donal Foley's latest book brings together the underlying - and often unsuspected -... Read more
Published on 8 April 2003 by Paul MacLeod
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