Under the Mantle: Marian Thoughts from a 21st Century Priest

I have had trouble viewing Mary as a close, maternal figure. I accepted intellectually that she was Queen and Mother of the Church, but couldn't see or desire more than that formal aknowledgement.I picked up a copy of "Keeping the Hours", and when reading the prayer beginning with "Mama Mary", I sort of yeeshed and thought, "eh, let's keep it formal".This book has helped shift that to a desire to love her, to have a more intimate relationship, and call on her for help with my sins because she is good, and I want to be one of her children, and not just some distant subject sort of making a token aknowledgment.Also, In the Father's Conversion Story, after reading this, the words he recalled from the book that brought about his attention/devotion to Mary "you don't have to change to love me, LOVING ME WILL CHANGE YOU" came back to mind.That is my hope now, and I think everyone who struggles with devotion to Mary, or perhaps has a poor image/ability to relate and trust women should read this.Then also, Champions of the Rosary, and Consecration to St. Joseph[who will inspire an urge in you towards a Marian consecration]

There are many topics covered and good information for you Faith.All should read this book, secular and religious.God bless.

I ordered this book when it first came out. I was curious about this young priest! I got the book, looked at the cover and put it on the bottom shelf. I thought it was a young priest trying to look cool and I could not bring myself to read this book. I suspected his writing would be as shallow as the front cover!Shame on me and my most sincere apologies to Father Calloway. I saw him in a recent interview on EWTN was was very impressed. He is truly a faithful son of the Church! I pulled out the book and read it. His writing is solid and based on scripture, the Church Fathers and the Saints. He takes Marian theology and puts it in terms and stories that touch our minds AND our hearts.He is direct about the challenges of the Church and also about the promise that the gates of hell will not prevail against Her. He writes honestly, passionately --but with wisdom and discretion-- and from the heart. There are passages that made me pause to pray...passages I had to stop and digest...passages that drove me to my Bible...and passages that made me stand and cheer!I recommend this to any one and everyone. It is great for Catholics because it contains Truth we don't talk about much. It is good for non-Catholics because they will better understand who we are and why. And they will meet Mary!I was very uncomfortable with calling her Co-redemptrix, and not sure about how to explain the Immaculate Conception. Those are just two Marian issues he presents with clear teaching. There are many others...Father Calloway---you have moved from the bottom shelf in my personal library up past many good authors, including Blessed Fulton Sheen, and you are #1 this week!

I heard him speak a couple of times on EWTN and was not sure what to make of him. I ended up going to a couple of his live talks and came away impressed. I dragged along my two teenage daughters, (at first they rolled their eyes when I told them where we were going), but at the end of his talk they asked me where his next presentation would be. This is a good book for anyone who has a Marian devotion, some very good points in it. Would highly recommend it, think even my daughters will read it. The book is less expensive on amazon, but if I had to do it over again i'd buy it on EWTN or Father Calloways site. We are actually going to see him again in San Diego next month, good speaker with great message. Highly recommend the book, especially if you do not have the chance to hear him speak.

It is fully evident that the Holy Spirit has had His hand in this amazing work! From the first page to the last, the enlightened words of Fr. Calloway open our hearts to a much deeper understanding of Our Mother Mary and her God given role in salvation. Many will try to deny this role, but the depth of understanding that Fr. Calloway has, combined with the clarity of the message on paper, could have only come from the Holy Spirit Himself! If you want to understand the Catholic devotion to Our Lady, this is a must read! God bless you, Fr. Calloway!John 14:26 "The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name--he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you."John 16:12-13 "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming."

Father Calloway has a gift for telling it like it is, and doing so, eloquently. He has a natural writing style that keeps you engaged throughout the book. The Blessed Virgin Mary definitely has Fr. Calloway "Under the Mantle". He is a faithful son to her and does a stellar job of making everyone want to love her more. I know Protestants think Catholics pay too much attention to Mary, but to quote one of the sayings Fr. Calloway included in this book "Don't ever worry about loving the Blessed Virgin Mary too much. You could never love her more than Jesus". That quote may not be verbatim, I loaned the book to my sister so I couldn't check it. I can't wait until she returns the book so I can read it again. Yes, it's that good.

So many books have been written about the Blessed Virgin that you have to wonder what else is left to say. Quite a lot, as it turns out. This is the best, most informative book about the Blessed Virgin that I have ever read. It isn't that the information is new, but it is so well presented, and it is put into the context of the current day. This book taught me more about Mary than any other book I have ever read.

Suggested reading from friend and enjoyed reading it.,

love this book. Very spiritual and engaging

Its leading me to reading " The Seven Storey Mountain" by Thomas Merton .

A wonderful book on Our Blessed Mother, easy to understand, gives fascinating insights into the Catholic faith offering the reader lots of reasons to rediscover the saving mysteries of Catholicism. A must read for all.

Beautiful book from a very good priest

Must read! This is another excellent book by Fr Calloway! It explains the Catholic Faith in easy to understand language.