The book "True Devotion to Mary" (and a general question on bookstores...)

[BayernAnhaenger]

I recently (mistakenly) purchased the book “True Devotion to Mary,” by St. Louis De Montfort (i was looking for a book by st. louis, but forgot the title of it…). Looking through it, it looks like it is an interesting book, but I am not (at the moment) interested in what seems to be what St. Louis proposes in regards to Mary (and the devotion to her).

That being said, should I keep this book (i have to look at the local Catholic bookstore’s policy on returns…) and read it, or try to return it and purchase a different book?

Also, are there any “customs” to follow at a Catholic bookstore? and are the owners (in general) more or less open to picking up a book and reading one there (this practice puts me off, because i feel guilty just reading a book and not buying it [or does one buy the book after reading it? any help?]). I know they have two (comfortable) chairs there, which I assumed were for reading?

For context, i’m a 19year old college student, and likes bookstores, and often sees people reading in them, but just can’t figure out if the books they have are books they purchased, will purchase, or haven’t purchased!

Thanks everyone

PS- is it me, or is there no search feature anymore?

 

[water]

I recently (mistakenly) purchased the book “True Devotion to Mary,” by St. Louis De Montfort (i was looking for a book by st. louis, but forgot the title of it…). Looking through it, it looks like it is an interesting book, but I am not (at the moment) interested in what seems to be what St. Louis proposes in regards to Mary (and the devotion to her).

That being said, should I keep this book (i have to look at the local Catholic bookstore’s policy on returns…) and read it, or try to return it and purchase a different book?

Also, are there any “customs” to follow at a Catholic bookstore? and are the owners (in general) more or less open to picking up a book and reading one there (this practice puts me off, because i feel guilty just reading a book and not buying it [or does one buy the book after reading it? any help?]). I know they have two (comfortable) chairs there, which I assumed were for reading?

For context, i’m a 19year old college student, and likes bookstores, and often sees people reading in them, but just can’t figure out if the books they have are books they purchased, will purchase, or haven’t purchased!

Thanks everyone

PS- is it me, or is there no search feature anymore?

I wouldn’t see any problem of reading couple of pages or even a chapter of the book and not buying it. It is not against the bookstore’s policy. As you know, they allow you to buy and return book within a given period of time, this means that they surely expect you to read some of it, and they do not mind. However, we shouldn’t take advantage of that and just come there reading books without buying anything; that wouldn’t be fair.

About keeping the book, I haven’t read the book and I probably will try to get one myself, but I can’t tell if you should return or keep. As you are still a college student, as I used to be, if I could save money to buy something that I know I want to have, then I could save money for that item.

Returning or keeping the book is up to you, but from my own experiences, whenever I step into a Catholic bookstore to buy some book, I pray to the Holy Spirit to guide me and help me pick the one that He wants me to read. Indeed, I am glad I’ve been picking the ones that I know I could not live without. However, this doesn’t mean that I always pick a book and decide right away to buy it. I first read about it a bit and from there I know if the book is for me.

 

[GoldenArrow]

There is no chance. Everything under Heaven is guided by God’s Providence.

Knowing this, I’d read the book.

If money is an issue, you can return the book and then read it online. Here’s a webpage I wrote for Unity Publishing on Montfort, and TONS of links:

True Devotion to Mary according to St. Louis De Montfort

Montfort’s spirituality transformed my life. I’ve been practicing TD to Mary for awhile, so if you have questions on this spirituality, just PM me anytime.

God Bless!

 

[havemercy]

Keep it. If you don’t feel ready for it, don’t read it yet. I have owned it for a few months, and after having read the preface, am putting off reading it until I’m ready.

 

[MikeDunphy]

PS- is it me, or is there no search feature anymore?

Searching is temporarily disabled.

 

[HailMary]

I recently (mistakenly) purchased the book “True Devotion to Mary,” by St. Louis De Montfort (i was looking for a book by st. louis, but forgot the title of it…). Looking through it, it looks like it is an interesting book, but I am not (at the moment) interested in what seems to be what St. Louis proposes in regards to Mary (and the devotion to her).

That being said, should I keep this book (i have to look at the local Catholic bookstore’s policy on returns…) and read it, or try to return it and purchase a different book?

Also, are there any “customs” to follow at a Catholic bookstore? and are the owners (in general) more or less open to picking up a book and reading one there (this practice puts me off, because i feel guilty just reading a book and not buying it [or does one buy the book after reading it? any help?]). I know they have two (comfortable) chairs there, which I assumed were for reading?

For context, i’m a 19year old college student, and likes bookstores, and often sees people reading in them, but just can’t figure out if the books they have are books they purchased, will purchase, or haven’t purchased!

Thanks everyone

PS- is it me, or is there no search feature anymore?

Consider that a person invitation from the Blessed Virgin herself.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=1643780&postcount=14
forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=1643781&postcount=15
forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=1643785&postcount=16

If any of those are something you found helping your faith, trust me, St. Louis does a wonderful job of reveling the secret of Mary.

God Bless

 

[awalt]

I am about 2/3 the way through the book. It’s a wonderful book and it’s very Catholic. I have not formally consecrated myself to Mary (others have on this forum), but just reading the book I feel closer to Mary because I understand better why Jesus wants that to be.

 

[Fergal]

I am not (at the moment) interested in what seems to be what St. Louis proposes in regards to Mary (and the devotion to her).

Did you not stop to think that maybe God is interested in having you read what He, through St Louis De Montfort, has realised in regards to Mary?

Go for it and read it.