I was intrigued by the premise of this book - a virtual pilgrimage to Marian shrines across the US. I loved the history that the author included for each shrine, and her detailed description of each local area home to the shrine. I also really like the idea of praying part of a novena through each of these places, so that by the end of the book you have completed a novena of consecration for our country. I must admit I got a little bogged down in the author's personal reflections of each place - for whatever reason it didn't appeal to me personally. I would have preferred learning about a few more shrines instead, but I know that this is my own opinion. Additionally, I felt that the writing style was perfect for one who has maybe been away from the church a while, or who is looking to be introduced to Mary for the first time as a powerful intercessor.

***I wrote this review in exchange for a review copy from NetGalley and was not influenced in any way. This opinion is solely my own.***

My Queen My Mother: A Living Novena was not what I expected it to be. I wasn’t really looking for a new read at this time, but something drew me to it when I saw it in NetGalley. I am so glad that I did. It was so much better than I hoped, because it startled me.
What I expected was a devotional or something more spiritual than concrete, but I was in a serious search for something inspirational that would bring me closer to Mary and give me more to think about while praying my Rosary.
First, the boring part. It’s a really quick read that breaks up nicely into 11 parts, an introduction, the nine sections of the Novena and a conclusion. Each section is quick and self contained. You may or may not be able to get each section in on your lunch break, but you can certainly read a section each night after the turmoil of the day is done, and you are ready to turn in for the night. It’s quickly paced and attention grabbing to say the least. Now, on to the part that sucked me in.
Instead of a devotional, it is a description of a living Novena made by visiting nine Marian shrines across these United States of America. I was jarred very quickly because the very first stop in her living Novena made me think of something that, in my 45 years as a practicing Catholic I never once thought about: The Catholic history of America. I literally got chills as I read the first day. I had no idea that you could go pray at the exact same spot of the first Mass in the new world! I had no idea there was an approved Marian apparition in the United States. Hearing the tribulations of American martyrs and more. I didn’t know there was much Catholic history in our country beyond the Know Nothing Party and the run ins with the KKK in the early 20th century.
This book has given me some definite vacation plans for the future. Good book. Quick read. Nice pace. Eye opening.

I loved the format of this book, very creative and powerful to be written as a novena. It inspires me to visit some of the shrines as well. Would make a lovely and inspiring gift for the Catholics in your life. I will read this again!

This book was such a blessing to me! I absolutely loved the author's way of writing. Being able to travel with the author, to see Our Lady through the author's eyes; it was just so wonderful. My own relationship with Mary grew with each chapter I read, and I happily highlighted and dog-eared all the pages that taught me, inspired me, moved me and helped me grow. I highly recommend this book. I truly can't recommend it enough. Such a treasure!

I thoroughly enjoyed My Queen, My Mother, a sort of travel guide, reflective journal, history book, and prayer companion rolled into one!

Marge Fenelon's trek across nine novena-worthy Marian pilgrimage sites enlightened me to church and national history. The uniquely American flair of the sites and stories and the ways in which the author connected those to prayer for the United States is fresh and inspiring.

Though it's unlikely I'll visit most of these sites in person, I feel as if I've shared in their history and the devotion of countless pilgrims.

This is the first book that I read by Marge Steinhage Fenelon, I have picked up a few others and not got around to reading them. After how quickly I devoured this volume that will not be the case for long. This book was so much more than I was expecting. I absolutely loved it. And living in Canada I am not likely to physically visit many of the shrines listed, but virtually through this book could. And I would love to see a book like this written about Marian Shrines in Canada. Each chapter of this book is a different day for a novena and a different Marian Shrine.

The sections in this book are:

Introduction:
Why a Marian Pilgrimage?
Day One: Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche: St. Augustine, Florida
Day Two: National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor: New Orleans, Louisiana
Day Three: St. Mary’s Mission and Museum: Stevensville, Montana
Day Four: Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows: Starkenburg, Missouri
Day Five: Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation: Carey, Ohio
Day Six: The National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help: Champion, Wisconsin
Day Seven: Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs: Auriesville, New York
Day Eight: The House of Mary Shrine: Yankton, South Dakota
Day Nine: Our Lady of Peace Shrine: Santa Clara, California
Conclusion
Appendix:
How to Pray the Rosary
Notes

However, this book is so much more than a simple prayer book or novena. This book is written mainly for Catholics in the United States, but Catholics from around the world will enjoy this volume. For the prayer, for the history, and for the different devotions to Mary from around America. I greatly enjoyed finding out about these sites, and the history and practices associated with them.

Marge states in the introduction:

"The idea started percolating in my brain as I watched the growing success of my book Our Lady, Undoer of Knots: A Living Novena. It seems that the notion of taking my reader on pilgrimage with me and then forming it into a novena had become contagious. I wanted to do it again, but this time I wanted to stay within my own country’s boundaries. I wanted to do something challenging and magnificent that would uncover the spiritual treasures of our United States and, in the process, help people to fall in love with our country again (or perhaps for the first time)."

And she does an amazing job of delivering on that goal. This book will be a great read for anyone with a devotion to Mary, for anyone wishing to deepen their devotion to Mary. And it is also excellent for anyone wanting to learn about these 9 Marian Shrines.

This was a book I read and loved. And it is a book I know I will read again. The devotion and love of Mary evident in Marge’s writing is inspiring. I give this book a very solid 5/5 stars. It is so worth the read!

This book is more than simply a novena of prayers: it's a pilgrimage memoir, travel guidebook, and prayer book all in one. Fenelon leads the reader on a journey around the USA, visiting 9 holy shrines to the Blessed Mother and sharing what makes each a unique and worthwhile place to visit and pray. Along the way, readers are guided through a novena of consecration to the Blessed Mother. The author ends by emphasizing the importance of regularly visiting holy shrines, as these are in danger of disappearing due to lack of visitors and funding. The book can be read over 9 days, weeks, or months - but I had a tough time stopping at the end of any single day's entry. Highly recommended.

This book is an armchair novena visiting nine shrines and sites dedicated to the Virgin throughout the United States. The oldest of these dates from early colonial times, the most recent was built less than 50 years ago. They are found all over the country.

Each chapter has the same format after a short introduction, there is the story of the site, generally its history. This is followed by a short reflecti0n, some prayers (several parts of which are always the same), and then some questions for reflection.

It's fine as far as it goes but there are things that should have been included. Their absence makes it seem as if the book was rushed into production. First there is little information about the location except for town and state. Without basic stuff like an address and phone number a visitor has few resources to find the sites for reflection. Fenelon may say that Marian shrines should be visited but if we are not given tools to do so inside the book how serious is she about it?

If I wanted to make an actual pilgrimage to the site less than 100 miles from my home, I would have to do the research myself. I don't even have a website address to consult. For many readers this lack will discourage visits.

I can understand and sympathize with the idea of an armchair pilgrimage but I wish the book had been illustrated. The author may not be a photographer herself, but surely these places have photos that could be used. Being able to see the churches and statues discussed here would've been such a help to my meditation.

Finally the prayer sections in each chapter are too repetitive. Each one has the same consecration to Mary in it, but we are never told why it must be done so often. Each of these is followed by a suggestion to pray the Rosary, again without explanation. It might be nice if in the Introduction we are told about this structure and why it is this way. Following that is a request to pray for the government, every time in exactly the same words! Couldn't Fenelon have come up with 9 different reasons to pray for it or different groups to pray for?

With these faults the book is, for me, more potential than realization. I hope a second, improved edition comes out quickly.

I loved this book. It was packed full of information on various Marian shrines in the United States. The author focused on places that I had never heard about right here in the USA. Her love for the Blessed Mother is inspiring and I recommend to anyone who has felt Mary's presence in their life and to those who want to feel her warm embrace. I like the fact that there were prayers included so you could do your own Novena.

I think Catholics in America, whether they are young or old would enjoy reading this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book.