30-Day Devotional to Our Lady Enthralls Readers with True Stories of her Patronage

In How They Love Mary: Lessons I Learned from Holy Men and Women Along the Way by Fr. Edward Looney. Sophia Institute Press (Manchester, NH, 2022). 240 pp., $18.95. 

Pulled under water and nearly drowned, Bl. Solanus Casey clung to his scapular and survived.

How They Love Mary: Lessons I Learned from Holy Men and Women Along the Way offers true stories and meditations for everyone from beginners to those whose want to grow in love for Our Lady. Fr. Looney — a member of the Mariological Society of America and contributor on Relevant Radio’s Morning Air — also reflects upon how his love of Mary has grown from his earliest years.

Liv Harrison, talk show host and podcaster, shared, “How They Love Mary is a Masterclass in embracing Our Lady in a way never presented before this book. Finally there is one text that captures devotions, prayers, examples, Saints, lessons, reflections, instructions, stories, inspiration, and references all centered on the Holy Mother of God. What Father Edward Looney has assembled is extraordinary.”

Indeed, readers will discover numerous ways that holy men and women have venerated our Blessed Mother throughout the centuries and practical ways that we can imitate them.

For example, in 1859, Our Lady appeared to 28-year-old Adele Brise in Wisconsin. Mary asked for conversion through the reception of Holy Communion and Confession, and the catechesis of youth.

So too, from St. Damian of Molokai to St. Francis of Assisi to St. Thomas Aquinas, readers will learn new ways of honoring Mary from these illustrious spiritual teachers.

Consider St. Kateri Tekakwitha, who lived like Mary, and offered Marian prayers that bore the fruit of conversions.

Also found in these pages are St. Faustina’s mystical encounters with Our Lady and how Bishop Fulton Sheen depended on the Virgin Mary to live out celibacy.

Fr. Looney further highlights saints who were cured through the Blessed Mother’s intercession, such as the story of Therese of Lisieux and Our Lady of the Smile, and Francis de Sales, who was healed of depression.

He teaches us about the Holy Rosary with examples like St. Padre Pio, who prayed 30 Rosaries daily, and guidance from Mother Angelica on saying the Rosary, through which she was cured.

Additional contemporary examples are included — from Fr. Patrick Peyton, who began the Family Rosary Crusade and inspired millions to pray the daily Rosary worldwide— to social media sensation Sr. Clare Crockett, who was converted through Our Lady’s intercession, then went on to write songs about Mary, and shared her devotion with young people.

Fr. Looney also includes excerpts from the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as well as a host of prayers and litanies to Our Lady.

Steven R. McEvoy, reviewer at Book Reviews and More, described this gem as “A very inspiring book, certain to help you grow in love for Our Mother. You will be exposed to many books, devotions and spiritual practices. A wonderful volume, well worth picking up!”

Bishop David Bonnar of Youngstown reflected, “This book will be an impetus for readers to turn to Mary and deepen their appreciation for her, for it echoes in a resounding way the words of Jesus on the cross to the disciple whom he loved ‘Behold your mother.’”

Members of the media may send an email to Sophia Institute Press’ Publicity Coordinator at kvanuden@SophiaInstitute.com to receive a physical or digital copy of How They Love Mary: Lessons I Learned from Holy Men and Women Along the Way or to schedule an interview with the author, Fr. Edward Looney.