Saint Mary of Egypt

Bonnie B. Thurston, after years as a university and seminary professor, lives quietly in her home state of West Virginia. She is the author of many books on Scripture and spirituality and six books of poetry. These include Liturgical Press publications Shaped by the End You Live For: Thomas Merton’s Monastic Spirituality; Maverick Mark: The Untamed First Gospel; The Spiritual Landscape of Mark;Philippians in the Sacra Pagina series; and Belonging to Borders: A Sojourn in the Celtic Tradition (poetry).

• ContentsAcknowledgments and Thanks Giving ixForeword by Sr. Benedicta Ward, SLG xiiiIntroduction 1The Life of Mary of Egypt: A Summary 9A Modern Verse Life of Mary of EgyptTo the Reader 13Preface 14Mary’s Origins 15Mary in Alexandria 17Mary Explains Why 19Mary Crosses the Sea 20Mary Is Refused Entry 22Mary Beseeches Mary 24The Blessed Virgin Mary Speaks 26Mary Meets Christ’s Cross 28Mary Crosses the Jordan 30Zossima’s Origins 32Zossima at the Jordan Monastery 34The Lion Watches 36The First Encounter 38Mary Confesses to Zossima 40Zossima’s Response 42Mary Remembers Her Tears 44Zossima’s Year of Vigil 46The Second Encounter 48Mary’s Last Prayers 50The Third Encounter 52The Lion at the Burial 54Zossima’s Last Word 56The Lion’s Last Word 58A Scribe’s Postscript 60Epilogue 62Further Exploration of Mary of Egypt and Her Story 65The Literary History of Mary’s Life 67Literary Echoes, Antecedents, and Techniques 72The Desert 76The Harlot 78The Lion 81Theological Interest 83Conversion 85The Blessed Virgin Mary 87Penitence/Repentance 90Humility 93Sacraments, Icons, and Relics 97Contemporary Interest 106Conclusion 111Select Bibliography 116

"Bonnie Thurston’s presentation of the Life of Saint Mary of Egypt combines two elements: a sparkling verse rendering of the Life, that not only retells the story but also touches the feelings in a way that highlights the importance of personal conversion. This is buttressed by a preliminary summary of the plot of the Life and a review of its literary and theological characteristics. An attractive and original version of the Life that will certainly help readers to make contact with its profound spiritual meaning."Michael Casey, OCSO