Comments on: The Secret Life of Bees and Images of Mary http://anunslife.org/2008/11/14/secret-life-of-bees-images-of-mary/ Catholic Sisters and Nuns in Today's World Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:32:01 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: jean http://anunslife.org/2008/11/14/secret-life-of-bees-images-of-mary/#comment-46014 jean Fri, 09 Oct 2009 22:17:07 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=792#comment-46014 Father John Dear, SJ has been on my mind lately because he was due to speak in a city I was visiting a few weeks ago. I just ordered his book: "Mary of Nazareth, Prophet of Peace". Looks fabulous. Thought people might be interested in another "image" of Mary. Father John Dear, SJ has been on my mind lately because he was due to speak in a city I was visiting a few weeks ago. I just ordered his book: “Mary of Nazareth, Prophet of Peace”. Looks fabulous. Thought people might be interested in another “image” of Mary.

]]> By: Sister Julie http://anunslife.org/2008/11/14/secret-life-of-bees-images-of-mary/#comment-29037 Sister Julie Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:40:46 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=792#comment-29037 Hi DL25, I do remember that part. The sharing of bread is a fairly common ritual, though the accompanying words definitely parallel the Words of Institution. Although there was a lot of Catholic imagery, for me it was distinct enough that it didn't seem to mock or blur the lines. I thought it did well at picking up on the richly symbolic and sacramental feel of the Catholic faith, but you're right, it's not a complete or accurate portrayal of the Catholic faith but I don't think there was ever any intention of doing so. Though using lots of Mary imagery, the author never equates the book Mary (Our Lady of the Chains) with the Catholic Mary. In fact the image of Mary in the book is arguably more of an image of the Divine than an image of the BVM. Hi DL25, I do remember that part. The sharing of bread is a fairly common ritual, though the accompanying words definitely parallel the Words of Institution. Although there was a lot of Catholic imagery, for me it was distinct enough that it didn’t seem to mock or blur the lines. I thought it did well at picking up on the richly symbolic and sacramental feel of the Catholic faith, but you’re right, it’s not a complete or accurate portrayal of the Catholic faith but I don’t think there was ever any intention of doing so. Though using lots of Mary imagery, the author never equates the book Mary (Our Lady of the Chains) with the Catholic Mary. In fact the image of Mary in the book is arguably more of an image of the Divine than an image of the BVM.

]]> By: Discerninglife25 http://anunslife.org/2008/11/14/secret-life-of-bees-images-of-mary/#comment-28996 Discerninglife25 Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:54:53 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=792#comment-28996 I have a question. I read this book in my English class, and I go to a Catholic school. Doesn't anyone remember reading the part when they are having their "get-togethers" and they offer eachother the bread? They say something like "This is the Body of Mary." This is almost mocking the Eucharist in a way. Doesn't that go against the Catholic Church in a sense, even if it does mention our Blessed Mother? Though she is portrayed as a good, strong character-- it almost portrays her as a god--which she is not. Not to mention that Christ was never mentioned which is the whole reason why we Catholics give Mary honor. I completely understand why many Catholics enjoy reading and hearing such good things about Mary, but isn't the book portraying Mary as something she is not? I have a question. I read this book in my English class, and I go to a Catholic school. Doesn’t anyone remember reading the part when they are having their “get-togethers” and they offer eachother the bread? They say something like “This is the Body of Mary.” This is almost mocking the Eucharist in a way. Doesn’t that go against the Catholic Church in a sense, even if it does mention our Blessed Mother? Though she is portrayed as a good, strong character– it almost portrays her as a god–which she is not. Not to mention that Christ was never mentioned which is the whole reason why we Catholics give Mary honor.

I completely understand why many Catholics enjoy reading and hearing such good things about Mary, but isn’t the book portraying Mary as something she is not?

]]> By: Linda http://anunslife.org/2008/11/14/secret-life-of-bees-images-of-mary/#comment-28947 Linda Sat, 25 Apr 2009 19:01:50 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=792#comment-28947 Maybe my all time favorite book. So when I rescued an old outdoor statue of Mary at a garage sale, badly in need of repainting, I'm thinking of painting her like the photo you have posted. I'm far from an artist but I'm going to give it a try. Thanks for the great photo. Maybe my all time favorite book. So when I rescued an old outdoor statue of Mary at a garage sale, badly in need of repainting, I’m thinking of painting her like the photo you have posted. I’m far from an artist but I’m going to give it a try. Thanks for the great photo.

]]> By: jean http://anunslife.org/2008/11/14/secret-life-of-bees-images-of-mary/#comment-27783 jean Wed, 08 Apr 2009 04:44:38 +0000 http://anunslife.org/?p=792#comment-27783 Annette - Thank you for your lovely note. Memories of the old black woman in my story often makes me cry, too, when I am struck anew by how faithless and unloving I have been at times in my life. And yet I know, as I imagine myself back in her embrace on that windy day, that she would want me not to grieve, but to hope. (One of the gifts of my profession is that, very often, the "physician" in me **is** healed as I witness, through the lives of the people I serve, paths to strength and dignity and hope. Had you been there, you would have been one of her"baby girls", too.) It is a piece of even greater loveliness to me that your note about her was followed so soon by your thoughts about this movie, "The Secret Life of Bees". I happened to buy a used copy on the day you posted this, and I just watched it tonight. The soundtrack is playing as I write to you. I am moved beyond words by its beauty, and would like to put myself back into the arms of the old woman who comforted me in her loss, so like Our Lady. Jean Annette –

Thank you for your lovely note. Memories of the old black woman in my story often makes me cry, too, when I am struck anew by how faithless and unloving I have been at times in my life. And yet I know, as I imagine myself back in her embrace on that windy day, that she would want me not to grieve, but to hope. (One of the gifts of my profession is that, very often, the “physician” in me **is** healed as I witness, through the lives of the people I serve, paths to strength and dignity and hope. Had you been there, you would have been one of her”baby girls”, too.)

It is a piece of even greater loveliness to me that your note about her was followed so soon by your thoughts about this movie, “The Secret Life of Bees”. I happened to buy a used copy on the day you posted this, and I just watched it tonight. The soundtrack is playing as I write to you. I am moved beyond words by its beauty, and would like to put myself back into the arms of the old woman who comforted me in her loss, so like Our Lady.

Jean

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