Book excerpt: OUR LIFE WITH OUR LADY'S INFLUENCEFor the first time in the history of Marian writing, here is a book that co-ordinates and integrates the dogmatic truths underlying devotion to Mary with a solid, unsentimental, and balanced application of these truths to the life of the soul.The author lucidly demonstrates that, since God has given Mary an all-pervading place in His scheme for the redemption of man, it follows that if we wish to grow in love of God-the goal of all spiritual striving-we will give Mary a corresponding place in our soul-life.This book shows us how to achieve such fusion of God-centered and Mary-informed spirituality. It provides a basic orientation in ascetic principles and explains the classic steps in spiritual and mystical growth, drawing always on the texts of Scripture, the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, the great commentators, and the modern papal pronouncements.OUR LADY'S PART IN OUR SPIRITUAL LIFEThis is a fundamental text of Marian spirituality, for private study, for class and study-club use, for aid in spiritual direction. It is at once simple, clear, and logical, yet fortified by rich documentation and reference material. With Index and questions for discussion.