Alfonso Maria de' Liguori (1696–1787)

St. Alphonsus Liguori’s The Glories of Mary is a devotional work exploring the role of the Virgin Mary in Christian life, particularly within Catholic theology. Written in a pastoral and reflective style typical of 18th-century devotional literature, the book combines theological exposition, moral instruction, and illustrative stories intended to deepen readers’ appreciation of Mary’s spiritual significance. Liguori’s language is formal yet accessible, emphasizing clarity of argument show more and the ethical implications of Marian devotion rather than purely abstract theology.

The central thesis of the work is that devotion to Mary, as the mother of Christ, provides a conduit for grace and moral guidance, enhancing the believer’s spiritual life. Liguori develops this thesis through systematic discussion of Mary’s virtues, her intercessory role, and the benefits of Marian devotion, drawing on scripture, tradition, and historical examples of saints and mystics. He stresses that such devotion is not intended to replace or compete with direct devotion to God but to assist believers in cultivating piety, humility, and ethical living.

Distinctive aspects of the book include its extensive use of historical and hagiographical examples to illustrate theological points, and its integration of moral guidance with contemplative reflection. For non-Catholic readers—such as mystics, Wesleyans, Charismatics, or Calvinists—the work may raise questions regarding the boundaries between veneration and worship. Liguori addresses these implicitly, emphasizing intercession rather than ontological elevation, but modern readers might still find the devotional focus on Mary unfamiliar or theologically challenging.

Limitations include the text’s historical and denominational specificity: some practices or theological assumptions presuppose Catholic sacramental and devotional frameworks. Ethical or social considerations, including attention to the treatment of animals or broader societal concerns, are largely absent, reflecting the work’s 18th-century context. The narrative is rich in moral and spiritual reflection but does not engage with empirical or philosophical critique in the modern sense.

The Glories of Mary is likely to appeal to readers interested in historical Catholic devotional literature, Mariology, or Christian ethics, and to those curious about the historical formation of devotional practices and their moral underpinnings. It may also provide perspective for scholars comparing intercessory frameworks across religious traditions.

Star rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Strengths: clear devotional guidance, accessible theological exposition, historical and illustrative richness.

Limitations: denominational specificity, limited attention to contemporary ethical issues, may challenge non-Catholic readers. show less

This is a meticulous ebook edition of the noted work "The Glories of Mary" by Saint Alphonsus Liguori. It is entirely faithful to the original work, which is a detailed exposition and justification of the Roman Catholic devotion to Mary, Mother of God.

Where it suffers is in age and lack of context. The saint wrote this work in the 18th century, and this appears to be an early English translation. The English used often appears stilted to a modern reader, with liberal use of "thee', "thou" show more and "st" suffixes to verbs. The content is sincere and devout, but could benefit from additional commentary from modern Catholic theologians. Liguori wrote in a naive age, and he fills the book with unverified anecdotes of Marian interventions that were stories he read or were narrated to him, or that came from various people's "visions" that they accepted as truth. Since much of this storytelling seems fantastical, it would be helpful to understand how this is viewed by the contemporary church. The Roman Catholic church still firmly believes in the efficacy of prayer for intercession to the saints, and most especially to the Blessed Virgin Mary, but without context, this justification, while sincere, seems out of touch on a spiritual level, and more useful on an historical level.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest opinion. These thoughts are entirely my own. show less

“[Este] não é um daqueles livretos ascéticos e de mera devoção que, com mais ou menos fruto, com maior ou menor unção, têm por objeto o servir de pasto espiritual às almas piedosas; mas é um livro utilíssimo, indispensável de certo modo às duas classes de pessoas que formam todo o rebanho cristão: a sacerdotes e a leigos; a catequistas e a catecúmenos; a instrutores e a instruídos; a confessores e a penitentes; a pregadores e a fiéis.

É uma obra que, atendido seu objetivo, show more dificilmente pode ser substituída por alguma outra; é um verdadeiro tratado de teologia moral ao alcance do povo, que abraça todos os estados e condições da sociedade, desde o mais humilde até o mais elevado; desenvolvendo com admirável simplicidade, método e clareza nossos deveres e nossas faltas segundo os mandamentos da lei divina; dando uma ideia não menos clara e precisa dos canais pelos quais se nos comunica a Graça de Deus, que são os Sacramentos, e explicando com maior extensão tudo o que devemos praticar para receber dignamente o Sacramento da Penitência, que, conforme São Jerônimo, é para nós como uma tábua após um naufrágio.

É um livro popular, um livro prático, útil às ovelhas e aos pastores, que reúne a solidez da simplicidade e o frescor da importância; por fim, é um livro que [...] poderíamos sem temor qualificar como livro necessário.”

Dom Joaquim Roca e Cornet show less

The great means of salvation and perfection that the title of this book refers to is prayer. The book explores the necessity of prayer, the power of prayer, and the conditions of prayer before going on to explain how the efficacy of prayer is guaranteed if a certain approach is taken.

I found this approach extremely helpful, and something which I had not truly considered before. The book left me feeling motivated and inspired.

Following a couple of chapters on ‘mental prayer’, another term show more for Christian meditation, there is also a useful section giving meditations for an eight day retreat. I didn’t read this as I felt that I would use this during my next retreat.

There were, however, parts of the book I found less helpful, including a section on the heresy of Jansenism which was clearly a big issue in St. Alphonsus’ day, and the last hundred pages which relate to a young person’s vocation to the religious life, and which I chose not to read either. I may read it one day, just to truly complete the book.

Overall then four stars...really two or three works mashed up into one, which leaves the book feeling more disjointed than it need be had it concentrated solely on the subject of prayer.

P.S. My edition is subtitled ‘The Aesthetical Works - the observant amongst you will notice that this should be ‘The Ascetical Works’, focussed as the series is on the preliminary stages of the spiritual life. show less