Original Grace

“A rich and profound theological reflection on Mary through Scripture, ecclesiology, liturgy, the arts, and contemporary feminist scholarship, this is a treasure of a book which combines deep devotion with fearless challenge. It applies a careful anthropological lens to vexed questions with deft ecumenical sensitivity and is undoubtedly a book for our times.”


—Gemma Simmonds, Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology





“Mary Aquin O’Neill reintroduces Mary, the mother of Jesus, to us by showing how the graced Christian imagination reveals a surplus of meaning in traditional Mariology, a meaning which goes beyond historical criticism, accommodation to interfaith dialogues, and contemporary feminist critiques. Scholarship enlivened by a deep faith and a love of Mary brings us this treasure.”


—Doris Gottemoeller, RSM, co-author of Union and Charity: The History of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas





“Original Grace challenges the damaging imbalance in the life and teachings of the Church regarding men and women and argues that this cannot be rectified unless we get our thinking about Mary straightened out. Different themes echo throughout: refashioning the Marian tradition, a theological anthropology that affirms the equal dignity of men and women, and a pastoral sensitivity to contemporary challenges. Eminently readable, this book will appeal to theologians and lay people.”


—John R. Donahue, SJ, St. Mary’s Seminary and University, emeritus





“Original Grace is a holy and imaginative rendering of integrated theology and spirituality that will richly serve women seeking an authentic image of the divine feminine. Mary Aquin O’Neill offers us a personal, devotional, and theological weaving of her own search and scholarship as to the place of Mary in the Christian tradition. Women (and men) seeking their rightful and just place in Church and society will find solace, hope, and inspiration in this book.”


—Patricia McDermott, RSM, president, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas