Dogmatic Theology 

A gloriously illustrated coffee-table book with dozens of inspiring and famous statues, paintings, sculptures, and other artwork of the Blessed Virgin Mary from all over the world. These beautiful pictures are accompanied by the profound words of Pope Benedict XVI on the person of Mary and her unique role in the plan of God for human and salvation history.

The photographs show many images of the Blessed Virgin, some of which are from different centuries. Some are very famous and others are less well-known. Many of the images are located at popular Marian shrines that Pope Benedict has visited and honored with special events and prayers, and homilies, excerpts from many of which are included in this volume. Some of the famous Marian images include Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Czestechowa (the Black Madonna), Queen of the Holy Rosary, Our Lady of Loreto, Queen of Carmel, and many others.

Pope Benedict offers in-depth, inspirational reflections on the unique spiritual role Mary plays as the Mother of the Savior, showing her to be the universal Woman, Jesus' mother who became the spiritual mother of all mankind. Using the Biblical references of Mary as "full of grace" and the "woman clothed with the sun", Pope Benedict emphasizes that Mary's role is to lead us to union with Jesus, to help us to know and love him more and to be his true followers.

Taken from the inside flap.