With exquisite art and inspirational prose, 'Miracles of Mary' brings together the fascinating stories of the Virgin's benevolent presence on earth - from the experiences of small school children to the visions of St. Teresa of Avila, from legends of the Weeping Madonna of Sicily to appearances of the Virgin of Guadalupe - reminding us of the miraculous possibilities in all our lives. The Virgin Mary has appeared more than 21,000 times in the past ten centuries, showing herself to individuals all over the world - in France, Portugal, war-torn Yugoslavia (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Belgium, England, Egypt, Quebec, Mexico, and the United States. She has come to warn, to heal, to promote peace, to build churches, to urge prayer, to reward the virtuous, and to lead the wicked to salvation. Sometimes she cries or remains silent. In 'Miracles of Mary', journalist and former 'Life' reporter Michael Durham respectfully documents the miracles of the Blessed Virgin as beloved 'great stories' of our cultural heritage. This gorgeous volume pairs the most beautiful painted images of the Madonna with inspirational retellings of sixty of her most celebrated miracles, especially her apparitions - appearances on earth to saint and sinner alike that have given hope and salvation to humankind for nearly two thousand years. From the devout Middle Ages to the secular present, the Virgin in her many guises has been an unfailing source of inspiration to artists. 'Miracles of Mary' is lavishly illustrated throughout with paintings, sculpture, and woodcarvings that capture the essence of the Blessed Virgin's miraculous legacy. Beautifully combining Renaissance masterpieces, santos figures from the American Southwest, works from private collections and prestigious museums around the world, as well as pieces from famous painters and anonymous artists, 'Miracles of Mary' is a stunning visual celebration of the Mother of God. "Almost at the same time there came out of the interior of the grotto a gold-colored cloud, and soon after a Lady, young and beautiful, exceedingly beautiful, the like of whom I had never seen, came and placed herself at the entrance of the opening above the rosebush. She looked at me immediately, smiled at me and signed to me to advance, as if she had been my mother. All fear had left me but I seemed to know no longer where I was. I rubbed my eyes, I shut them, I opened them; but the Lady was still there continuing to smile at me and making me understand that I was not mistaken."- BERNADETTE SOUBIROUS'S description of the Virgin at Lourdes, 1858