Marian Apparitions, the Bible and the Modern World (Paperback)

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

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.