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by David Meconi (Author)
She is history's most famous woman, with more schools, churches, and people named for her than any other. She has inspired countless pieces of art and literature, as well as the construction of some of the biggest churches in the world.
Yet the poets also call her "the woman wrapped in silence." What lies between these two extremes? Unpack the mystery that is the Mother of God, a woman who barely speaks in scripture and yet is venerated by millions. In this latest installment of TAN Book's 101 Surprising Facts series, you'll discover:- The term "full of grace" has profound theological implications
- A miraculous snowfall during a sweltering Roman summer led to the construction of a prominent Marian landmark
- One hymn to the Blessed Virgin forbids sitting while it is being sung
- Many different kinds of flowers take their name from Mary
- Dominicans hang rosaries from their hips to emulate medieval soldiers who donned swords in the same place
- The Sistine Chapel is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception
- A vision of Mary consoled the Irish in the aftermath of the great potato famine
- The Mississippi River and the city of Los Angeles had names that were once tied to Our Lady
- ...and more
Author Biography
Fr. David Vincent Meconi, S.J., D.Phil. (Oxon.) is Associate Professor of Historical Theology as well as the Director of the new Edmund Campion Catholic Studies Centre at Saint Louis University. He is also the editor of Homiletic and Pastoral Review, and has published numerous books and articles on the early Church, and on Saint Augustine of Hippo in particular. Fr. Meconi is a former Fellow of the Augustinian Institute at Villanova University; he serves on the boards of the St. Benedict Forum at Hope College in Holland, MI, as well as on the ecclesiastical board of Boston College.
