Two good books that introduces well Catholic prayer and
devotion to Mary are the books "Our Catholic Prayer" & "Our Blessed
Mother", both written by Therese Johnson Borchard. These
two works are excellent guidebooks that introduces prayer and
devotion to Mary - edited and written in a reader-friendly
reference style by one who holds an M.A. in Theology from
the University of Notre Dame.
Therese Johnson Borchard:
There are many books on Catholic prayer, and many
works written on devotion to Mary, but the work
of Therese Johnson Borchard is very outstanding
in its simplicity and in its concisely excellent
presentation of its subject matter. This she does
exceedingly well in "Our Catholic Prayer" and
"Our Blessed Mother". She is also noted
for her work on "Woman, Why are You Weeping?",
"A Lenten Companion for Women", and "Christmas
Meditations for Women". All the two books reviewed
in this page are essential guidebooks in knowing well the
Catholic faith.
"Our Catholic Prayer":
Therese treats the subject of Catholic prayer
well and she explains it beautifully. From the
many quotations and teachings of the Church,
she explains not only what prayer "is", but
even more importantly, "how" to pray. Of the
latter, she shows how this is done in: communal prayer,
private prayer, meditation and contemplation, and lectio divina.
"Our Catholic Prayer" can be a very useful
guide and companion for one's prayer life.
Therese J. Borchard brings forth
in rich array the sources of Catholic prayer:
the Scriptures, the Fathers of the Church,
and the living tradition we are using up to
the present time. If you need a
guidebook in knowing what Catholic prayer
"is" and also in knowing "how" Catholic prayer
can be done, then this little book of Therese
will help you well.
"Our Blessed Mother":
Like the book on Catholic prayer, Therese
Borchard also treats the subject of devotion
to Mary in a very theologically sound way -
drawing on Scripture and noted Catholic
scholars. Also, she does not dwell only on
the cerebral way of knowing Mary, but elicits
the heartwarming affection we can have on the
good Mother of God through art and literature,
and the classic traditions of prayer such
as the rosary. She mentions the prayer
called "The Memorare", a prayer that was known
to have been used by the good Blessed Teresa
of Calcutta when she wanted to raise funds
for her mission in India. That prayer on The Memorare
goes like this:
The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled
to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought
thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired
by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin
of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come,
before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not
my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and
answer me.
Presented below are the books and the
contents summarized in five main
topics
"Our Catholic Prayer":
Gives an excellent overview of Catholic prayer
Has a concise history and theology of different kinds of prayer
Presents classic and contemporary meditations on prayer
Introduces a new approach to traditional forms of prayer
Generally a friendly guidebook to all aspects of prayer
"Our Blessed Mother":
Gives a basic introduction to Mary in faith and culture
Has an excellent overview of Marian devotion
Presents classic prayers to Mary
Introduces a friendly guide to Marian literature and art
Presents a collection of contemporary writings on Mary
Therese treats the subject of Catholic prayer
well and she explains it beautifully. From the
many quotations and teachings of the Church,
she explains not only what prayer "is", but
even more importantly, "how" to pray. Of the
latter, she shows how this is done in: communal prayer,
private prayer, meditation and contemplation, and lectio divina.
Like the book on Catholic prayer, Therese
Borchard also treats the subject of devotion
to Mary in a very theologically sound way -
drawing on Scripture and noted Catholic
scholars. Also, she does not dwell only on
the cerebral way of knowing Mary, but elicits
the heartwarming affection we can have on the
good Mother of God through art and literature,
and the classic traditions of prayer such
as the rosary. She mentions the prayer
called "The Memorare", a prayer that was known
to have been used by the good Blessed Teresa
of Calcutta when she wanted to raise funds
for her mission in India. That prayer on The Memorare
goes like this: