The title of Our Lady of the Atonement is tied intimately to our own country in a way which cannot be said of any other title of the Blessed Virgin. In Rome, Our Lady of the Atonement is known as the “American Madonna,” first of all because this title had its origins in this country, at Graymoor, New York; also, her colors are our national colors: red, white, and blue. It is no coincidence that the birthday of our country always falls within the Novena to Our Lady of the Atonement, reminding us to pray for our nation, that all may know our hope and strength come from what is represented in this image of the Blessed Virgin: the loving Mother of God, offering to us her Divine Son, who holds in His hands the holy Cross as the means of our salvation.
3 comments:
Father Christopher-
Did not know this! Now you've got me excited about an American Theotokos that isn't Our Lady of Guadalupe, thank you.
While we are on the subject of Our Lady of the Atonement, is there a book on the lives of Father Paul and Mother Lurana of Graymoor? I've looked on-line but nothing in print or recent. tried Amazon and Bookfinder with no luck.
Thank you.
If you contact the Graymoor firars in New York, they should be able to direct you to some of the published biographies about Fr. Paul and Mother Lurana.
Andrew
The definitive biography of Mother Lurana is "A Woman of Unity" by Sr. Mary Celine, SA. The biography, Father Paul of Graymoor" by David Gannon, SA is far superior to "Prophet of Reunion" by Charles LaFontain (co-authored with someone whose name I cannot remember). The Gannon biography is far more authentic in reflecting Fr. Paul's theology and conversion experience. The LaFontain book tried to cast Fr. Paul as a modern-day ecumenist, edging into indifferentism, which would horrify Fr. Paul!
Both biographies are available used on www.abebooks.com.
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