Description

HANDMAID OF THE LORD
“Accept the Blessed Mother as one’s own mother”. This is the approach taken by the Church towards the mother of the Son of God. The Church has demonstrated this through various prayers, celebrations and pilgrimages to Marian centers. All these are the manifestations of love and honor to the Blessed Mother.
The Mother of Jesus is the one who listens, reflects, meditates and lives according to the Word of God. It is Jesus himself who listened to her intercession at Cana and gave her as our mother at Calvary. That is how Mary became our mother and mediator. This mother has only one thing to say about herself: “I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word” (Lk 1,38).
This book has been brought out with the hope that it would help the readers to come to know, love, accept Mary as mother and imitate her. At the same time it gives convincing answers to the questions concerning and accusations against Marian devotion practiced and promoted by the Catholic Church.
Sr. Glorista Arackal SABS belongs to the Tellicherry Province of the SABS Congregation. Studied in America for B.A & MA (History & Counseling) and did Clinical Pastoral Education upto Supervisory level. Returned to India and worked 15 years in the Bible Apostolate in Tellichery. 8 years in a parish in USA, 5 years in Italy, and 7 years in the Generalate of the SABS Congregation. At present engaged in translation for the purpose of the congregation.
O Michael Karimattam, a Catholic Priest, belonging to the Archdiocese of Tellicherry, Kerala, India. Born 1942; ordained priest, Rome 1968; holds a Licentiate in Theology from the Pontifical Urban University, Rome and a Doctorate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome. Has served as one of the three Chief Editors of the POC Malayalam Bible; 15 years as Director, Bible Apostolate ofTellicherry; 4 years as Principal of Divine Bible College, Muringoor. Since 2002 teaches Scripture at the Marymatha Major Seminary, Trichur, India.

CONTENTS
Introduction
Parti Mary in the Bible
1. Mary in the Old Testament
2. Mary in the New Testament
Part II Marian Spirituality
1. Life of Faith
2. Obedience
3. Virginity-Celibacy
4. Poverty
5. Humility
6. Rooted in the Word of God
7. Prayer
8. Mother
9. Marian Devotion
Part III Marian Devotion Questioned
1. Are Catholics Idol Worshipers?
2. Mediators other than Christ?
3. Mary-Immaculate Conception
4. Mother of God
5. Mary, The Virgin Mother
6. Who is my Mother?
7. What to you and to me, Woman?
8. Assumption
Part IV
Vatican Document on the Blessed Virgin Mary
I. Introduction
II. The Role of the Blessed Mother in the Economy
III. On the Blessed Virgin and the Church
IV. The Cult of the Blessed Virgin in the Church
V. Mary the sign of created