BOOK REVIEW BY MARY CARTY

Catholic Online

8/15/2006

The Healing Touch of Mary

By Cheri Lomonte

Publisher: Divine Impressions, 2005

(Catholic Online) Photographer Cheri Lomonte began this book project dedicated to Mary by photographing pictures of the Madonna. Then, after hearing heart-stopping personal accounts associated with Mother Mary, she recorded the stories to share with others who might be equally inspired by them.

In the five years that she collected stories and photographs, she traveled extensively to all parts of the world, including Nicaragua, Peru, Italy, France and the United States.

The book is a collection of 59 contemporary, real-life stories from people who have prayed to the Mother of God; people who have surrendered to her their needs, their hopes, their fears, and their desires when they believed their prayers could be answered only through her miraculous intervention. The stories range from a mother searching for her children following the Columbine shootings to cures of diseases.

The Healing Touch of Mary is beautifully illustrated with photographs by Lomonte, and paintings and icons created by other artists. Together, the words and images help readers to reconnect with the Sacred.

Writer Mary Walewski wrote of the book, “Part art book, part inspirational stories, The Healing Touch of Mary is a loving tribute to the Holy Mother. Author Cheri Lomonte photographed Madonnas from all over the world and combined these images with stories from those whose lives had been touched by Mary, the Mother of God.“

“The stories vary from a short paragraph or two to longer narratives of several pages. Each has a similar theme – Mary helping them in times of trouble. There are stories of miraculous cures using Lourdes water. Visitations from Mary that left the storyteller healed of cancer, or gave them the ability to heal others."

As noted by reviewer Mike Daniels, of the Colorado Independent Publishers Association and the Mountain Connection newspaper, “No matter your religious preference, The Healing Touch of Mary is a beautifully presented work of color images and stories that open the mind to faith, hope and prayer. Even those who may not believe in the miracles describe within will no doubt be entertained by the tales of those claiming to have experienced The Healing Touch of Mary.

For those true believers and followers of the faith, The Healing Touch of Mary will inspire and regale readers as they follow the detailed personal accounts of how the Holy Mother touched the lives and souls of those who needed her. Anyone who truly holds to their belief will find this book to be a must-have addition to their collection.”

This story was made available to Catholic Online by permission of author Cheri Lomonte. Her book, The Healing Touch of Mary, may be ordered at ACTA Publications.

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