The Life of the Blessed Virgin

Jesus takes leave of His Mother

The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary
by Monseigneur Gentilucci, 1859

"Never, as we have already said, did that prophecy of Simeon fade from Mary's memory, but remained the daily and nightly object of her thoughts. Hence, whenever the Blessed Virgin cast on her divine Child a sweet, loving look, she remembered at once that that body, the most beautiful ever seen on earth, was one day to suffer the most cruel pain, and be drenched in blood. Now, who can conceive the bitterness that filled the holy soul of the Blessed Virgin.

"This natural, and by no means blamable grief, must necessarily have increased, as Mary beheld the time of the Redeemer's Passion draw nigh. Hence the birthday of her Son, that day which brings such joy to other mothers, was a day of unspeakable sorrow for her; in the thought, that since the last anniversary, the death of her divine Son was one year less remote. Then when he emerged from the silence of his humble abode, and began his public life, if she was consoled to see him traverse Palestine healing the sick and doing good, her joy was mingled with grief when she thought that her Divine Son was on the way to Calvary, where, after his three years of puplic life, he was to die on the Cross. "--pages 294 - 295.

Index for Book I.

Of the Virgin Mary from the moment when God promised her to the earth, after Adam's sin, till the vow of perpetual virginity which she pronounced in the Temple.

CHAPTER I. Mary promised to the earth from the beginning of the world . . 13

CHAPTER II. Graces necessary to the Holy Virgin, promised to earth, and called to take part in the redemption of the human race . . 27

CHAPTER III. Symbols under which the most Blessed Virgin is indicated and prefigured in the Scriptures . . . . . . . 38

CHAPTER IV. Women of the Old Testament who were types of Mary . . . . 52

CHAPTER V. Prophecies which relate to the Blessed Virgin Mary . . 63

CHAPTER VI. Parents of the Blessed Virgin, . . . .77

CHAPTER VII. The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 88

CHAPTER VIII. Special privileges which God granted to the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary . . . . . 108

CHAPTER IX. Birth of Mary--Her name . . . . . . 122

CHAPTER X. Childhood of Mary, and her Presentation in the Temple . . 141

CHAPTER XI. Mary's life in the Temple--Vow of Virginity . . . . 153

Index for Book II.

Of the Blessed Virgin from her departure from the Temple, to the death of her most chaste spouse.

CHAPTER I. Marriage of Mary with Joseph . . . . . . . 161

CHAPTER II. Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin . . . 173

CHAPTER III. The Visitation Mary and Elizabeth . . . . 186

CHAPTER IV. The Angel appears to Saint Joseph--The Blessed Virgin and her chaste spouse prepare for the Redeemer's birth . . . 196

CHAPTER V. Joseph and Mary's journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem-- Birth of the Divine Redeemer . . . . 205

CHAPTER VI. Circumcision of Jesus--Adoration of the Wise Men . . . 217

CHAPTER VII. Purification of the Blessed Virgin--Her grief at Simeon's prophecy . . . . 230

CHAPTER VIII. Massacre of the Innocents, and flight of the Holy Family into Egypt . . . . . . 241

CHAPTER IX. Mary and Joseph lose Jesus and find him again . . . 253

CHAPTER X. Mary's return to Nazareth--Death of St. Joseph . . . 263

Index for Book III.

Embracing the History of the Blessed Virgin, from the first miracle wrought by our Lord Jesus Christ at her intercession, till her return to Jerusalem after the death of her Divine Son.

CHAPTER I. Mary at the marriage feast of Cana in Galilee . . . 275

CHAPTER II. Mary is frequently present at the preaching and miracles of Christ . . . . 286

CHAPTER III. Mary's pain at the approach of the Passion--Parting of Jesus and His Blessed Mother . . . . 294

CHAPTER IV. Mary hears of the arrest of Jesus, and follows Him to Calvary . . . . . 306

CHAPTER V. Jesus gives Mary to John as His mother . . . . 313

CHAPTER VI. Mary at the death of her Son--She beholds His side pierced with a lance . . . . . 323

CHAPTER VII. Descent from the Cross . . . . . 333

CHAPTER VIII. Grief of Mary . . . . . 343

CHAPTER IX. Mary first beholds Christ risen, and converses with Him . . . . 354

CHAPTER X. Mary witnesses the Ascension of our Divine Redeemer, and returns to Jerusalem . . . . 365

Index for Book IV.

The life of the Blessed Virgin from the moment when she retired to the upper room with the Apostles, till her glorious Assumption.--Of her virtues, her powerful patronage, and the true means of obtaining it.

CHAPTER I. Mary receives the Holy Ghost . . . . . 377

CHAPTER II. Whether baptized . . . . . . . . 388

CHAPTER III. The close of the life of the Blessed Virgin . . . .399

CHAPTER IV. Happy death of the Blessed Virgin . . . . 410

CHAPTER V. The Blessed Virgin is borne to the tomb . . . . 423

CHAPTER VI. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin . . . . 434

CHAPTER VII. The glorification of Mary in heaven . . . . 445

CHAPTER VIII. Features of the Blessed Virgin and her Beauty . . . . 457

CHAPTER IX. Relics of the Blessed Virgin, and Letters attributed to her . . . . 466

CHAPTER X. The Blessed Virgin ever the Protectress of the Church and the Faithful . . . . 476

CHAPTER XI. Of the Devotion of the Church to the Blessed Virgin, and the different ways in which she is honored . . . . 487

CHAPTER XII. What constitutes true devotion to the Blessed Virgin . . . . 500

CHAPTER XIII. A particular devotion by which all may honor the Blessed Virgin . . . . 510

CHAPTER XIV. Conclusion of the Work . . . . 519

APPENDIX. . . . . 531

The PDF page number is provided in parenthesis

Index for Book I.

The Life of the Holy Patriarch

CHAPTER I. Tribe and Family of Saint Joseph--His Sanctification before his Birth--Prerogatives that make it probable--Other similar Prerogatives, resulting from his resemblance to the Mother of God . . . . . . 11    (616)

CHAPTER II. Of the birthplace of Saint Joseph and the avocation which he followed . . . . . . 40    (645)

CHAPTER III. Of the espousals of Saint Joseph with the Blessed Virgin and his age at the time . . . . . . 52    (657)

CHAPTER IV. Life of Saint Joseph from his marriage with the Blessed Virgin till his journey with her to Hebron to the house of Elizabeth . . . . . . 75    (683)

CHAPTER V. Saint Joseph's anxiety as to Mary's condition His resolution of leaving her--Whether he learned the Incarnation of the Messiah from her--The Angel appears--His life with Mary . . . . . . 85    (693)

CHAPTER VI. Birth of the Son of God, and the life of Saint Joseph till then--The Shepherds come to adore the Infant God in the presence of Saint Joseph--The Circumcision of Jesus, and the circumstances of the rite . . . . . . 108    (716)

CHAPTER VII. The Wise Men adore the Infant God in the presence of his reputed father, Saint Joseph . . . . . . 117    (727)

CHAPTER VIII. The Presentation of Christ in the temple . . . . . . 122    (732)

CHAPTER IX. The Massacre of the Innocents--Saint Joseph at the Command of the Angel flees into Egypt--The length of his stay--The place of his abode . . . . . . 130    (740)

CHAPTER X. The length of Saint Joseph's stay in Egypt His mode of life there--His return to the land of Israel with his family on Herod's death . . . . . . 139    (751)

CHAPTER XI. Saint Joseph's life at Nazareth He proceeds with the Blessed Virgin and the Child Jesus to Jerusalem, when the Child was twelve years old--The Child remains in the temple, and after three days is found among the Doctors . . . . . . 151    (763)

CHAPTER XII. Close of Saint Joseph's life His blessed death His burial and sepulchre . . . . . . 161    (773)

CHAPTER XIII. The features and Countenance of Saint Joseph . . . . . . 176    (788)

Index for Book II.

The Dignity of Saint Joseph, the favors which the Almighty bestowed upon him, and a description of his virtues.

CHAPTER I. Of the two great titles and favors wherewith Heaven honored Saint Joseph . . . . . . 183    (795)

CHAPTER II. Saint Joseph by his title of Father and Guardian of Jesus is exalted above the greatest Saints of the Church . . . . . . 189    (801)

CHAPTER III. Of the other titles wherewith Saint Joseph is ennobled . . . . . . 197    (811)

CHAPTER IV. Eulogiums of the Church on Saint Joseph--Whether he is to be classed among the martyrs or doctors . . . . . . 205    (819)

CHAPTER V. Of the gifts and virtues of Saint Joseph, and his singular perfection in each . . . . . . 213    (829)

CHAPTER VI. Some passages in the life of Saint Joseph which Our Lady revealed to Saint Bridget . . . . . . 226    (842)

CHAPTER VII. Of Saint Joseph's glory . . . . . . 230    (846)

Index for Book III.

CHAPTER I. Of the devotion with which the Church honors the Father of Jesus, and the most worthy spouse of the Virgin Mary . . . . . . 235    (851)

CHAPTER II. Saint Joseph publicly honored in some of the Oriental Churches, and even in the West, before Gerson, Isidore Isolauus and Saint Bernardino of Sienna promoted his devotion . . . . . . 243    (859)

CHAPTER III. Of the manner in which the faithful have manifested their especial veneration to Saint Joseph since the beginning of the 15th century . . . . . . 253    (869)

CHAPTER IV. Devotion to Saint Joseph in the Empire of Mexico, and all parts of North America which belong to the Dominions of the Spanish King . . . . . . 260    (876)

CHAPTER V. Devotion to Saint Joseph in Canada and the United States . . . . . . 270    (886)

CHAPTER VI. Of the relics and portraits of Saint Joseph . . . . . . 279    (895)

CHAPTER VII. Patronage of Saint Joseph . . . . . . 284    (900)

CHAPTER VIII. The patronage of Saint Joseph is universal, and is the most powerful among the intercessions of the Saints . . . . . . 287    (903)

CHAPTER IX. Saint Joseph should be chosen as an advocate to obtain of God a happy death . . . . . . 295    (912)

CHAPTER X. Special patronage of Saint Joseph in some kingdoms of Europe . . . . . . 301    (919)

CHAPTER XI. Favors bestowed by Saint Joseph on Saint Teresa . . . . . . 306    (924)

CHAPTER XII. Saint Joseph favors souls who give themselves to a spiritual life, and especially to such as seek union with God in prayer . . . . . . 309    (927)

CHAPTER XIII. Patronage of Saint Joseph over sinners that seek to he converted to God . . . . . . 312    (930)

CHAPTER XIV. Benefits showing the powerful intercession of Saint Joseph, when his patronage is implored for health of body . . . . . . 316    (934)

CHAPTER XV. Protection of Saint Joseph in the agonies of death . . . . . . 323    (941)

CHAPTER XVI. Methods of honoring Saint Joseph given by Fathers Binet and Patrignani . . . . . . 327    (945)

CHAPTER XVII. Sermon for the feast of Saint Joseph by Saint Alphonsus Mary Liguori . . . . . . 331    (949)

APPENDIX. Devotion to the Holy Family . . . . . . 345    (965)

Index of the Life of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne

CHAPTER I. Of the Genealogy of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne . . . . . . 363    (983)

CHAPTER II. Of the mysterious sterility of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne . . . . . . 371    (991)

CHAPTER III. Of the prerogatives of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne . . . . . . 374    (994)

CHAPTER IV. Of the eminent virtues of Saint Joachim ani Saint Anne . . . . . . 380    (1000)

To download the entire book, click on the link below. Alternatively, the book should be displayed below after a brief delay. If the book does not appear automatically, downloading the entire book, or opening in preview will be the best options.

Download the book, "The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary"

http://catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com/