Those interested in knowing anything about the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, can consult this quite good encyclopedia for brief descriptions about all kinds of things related to Mary. It is arranged in A-to-Z format with many black-and-white illustrations of Mary, saints, buildings, shrines, and other images. The articles vary in length, with most eminently readable for the general reader. Married authors Monica and Bill Dodds include cross-referencing, an index of topics, and an index of the images and art in the book.

The information compiled here includes the Blessed Virgin Mary’s various titles - Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Sorrows, and many others of which most people are unaware. The Dodds present information on the various Marian feast days, apparitions, organizations and associations; religious orders dedicated to Mary; songs; devotions; customs; and many other topics. They also provide the words to various prayers to Mary like the Hail Mary, Regina Caeli, and others, as well as some of the litanies and novenas devoted to Mary. Articles on Mary’s relationship with Orthodoxy, Anglicanism and other Protestant churches and with Islam are here, as is a list of encyclicals by various popes on Mary. There are articles on the various doctrines and dogmas concerning Mary, such as the Assumption and the Immaculate Conception.

The first of two appendices is an excerpt from the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy, concerning Mary and devotions to her. The second appendix is an excerpt from the Second Vatican Council’s Lumen Gentium chapter eight, which concerns with Mary and the Church. This book is highly recommended to those looking for a quick reference on anything related to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Monica and Bill Dodds are the editors of My Daily Visitor magazine, family columnists for Catholic News Service, and founders of the Friends of St. John the Caregiver. Monica Dodds is the author of A Catholic Guide to Caring for your Aging Parents (2006), Praying in the Presence of Our Lord with St. Therese of Lisieux (2004) and co-authored with Bill Dodds Joy of Marriage (2003). Bill Dodds is the author of The Seeker’s Guide to the Holy Spirit (2003), The Ride of Your Life (2002), and Your One-Step Guide to how Saints are Made (2000).