Richly detailed, carefully researched, and imbued with spiritual sensitivity, Strange Heaven delves into the mystery and history surrounding the life and legends of the Virgin Mary. Award-winning author Jon M. Sweeney explores the many meanings of Mary’s life and the celebration of her legacy throughout the ages and around the world.

Advance Praise for Strange Heaven

“A rich resource of information, insights and beauty . . . Both critical and reverential, Sweeney offers tribute to a young woman of courage who became Mother of the Lord and then herself an icon for unending prayers of intercession, consolation and thanksgiving.”
- Bishop Frederick Borsch, Professor of New Testament and Chair of Anglican Studies, Lutheran Theological Seminary

“It is incumbent upon us to meditate on the mystery of the feminine, a mystery embodied so powerfully in Mary, a mystery articulated so eloquently in the pages of this book.”
- Prof. Ron Miller, author, The Gospel of Thomas: A Guidebook for Spiritual Practice

“Reminds us that the powerful love of Mother Mary is not a theory, but a very real presence in our lives.”
- August Gold, senior minister of the Sacred Center for Spiritual Living in New York City; author, Where Does God Live? and Will God Forgive Me?

“Hugely yet concisely informative, Strange Heaven is an elegantly presented overview of the Mother of God’s role in the lives of churches, theologians, saints, artists, mythologists and lay devotees.”
- Jonathan Montaldo, former Director of the Thomas Merton Center; editor, Bridges to Contemplative Living with Thomas Merton