Mary Loyola mother

Mother Mary Loyola (1845–1930) was an English Roman Catholic nun and an author of bestselling Catholic books. James Fallon SJ, writing for the Jesuit magazine America in 1931, called her one of the "most prolific and popular" writers in the Catholic literary world. She published her first book in 1896 at age 51, and produced at least 27 more in the ensuing 30 years. Her works sold globally and were translated into many languages. Her parents were part of the Scots Christian sect of Sandemanianism, known as "Glasites." Her father was a grain dealer for the London stock exchange, and the family was affluent. She had five siblings. In 1855, when she was nine years old, two of her siblings and both of her parents died of scarlet fever. The English Jesuit and historian, John Morris, encouraged her to write a book for children preparing for first communion. My First Communion became popular enough that she was encouraged to publish it as a title under her name. She also wrote the life of her congregation's founder, Mary Ward, for The Catholic Encyclopedia, of which Thurston was a noted editor and contributor. The English Catholic publisher Maisie Ward remembered being prepared for her confirmation at age 16 in 1905 with The Soldier of Christ, or, Talks Before Confirmation, and she then spent time at the Bar Convent to study with Mother Loyola personally.

She slipped on a stairway in 1923; the accident ended her work as novice mistress and confined her to a wheelchair permanently. She was 78 years old and in considerable pain, yet she continued to write and publish. The choir of Ampleforth Abbey sang. Also Question on First Communion and Mass for First Communion (all 1896). Coram Sanctissimo (London: Sands & Co., 1901). Forgive Us Our Trespasses, or, Talks Before Confession (1901). First Confession (1901), version for grownups. First Confession: Book for Little Ones (1901). A Simple Confession Book (1901). A Simple Confirmation Book (1901). A Simple Communion Book (1903). Welcome! Holy Communion Before and After (London: Burns and Oates, 1904). Credo: A Simple Explanation of Catholic Doctrine (1905). Jesus of Nazareth: The Story of His Life Told to Children (London: Burnes & Oates, 1907). Home for Good (London: Burns and Oates 1907), a book for girls returning home permanently after life away at boarding school. Holy Mass (1907). Confession and Communion for Religious and for Those Who Communicate Frequently (London: Burns and Oates, 1908). Holy Mass (1908). Heavenwards (London: Burns and Oates, 1910). The Children's Charter (London: Burns and Oates, 1911). Why Must I Suffer? A Talk With the Toilers (Catholic Truth Society, 1911). The Prayer Book for Children (1911, republished 2012 as The Little Children's Prayer Book). Blessed are They That Mourn (London: Burns and Oates, 1917). "A book for those bereaved by the war. The consoling thoughts are drawn from the scriptures and from the Church's doctrine, and are developed with much convincingness and solidity," The Irish Monthly, June, 1917. "Exquisitely beautiful and soothing," The Catholic Standard and Times (Philadelphia), May 25, 1917. Hail! Full of Grace: Simple Thoughts on the Rosary (London: Burns and Oates, 1917). The King of the Golden City: An Allegory for Children (London: Burns and Oates, 1921). "A charming allegory," The Catholic Historical Review, January 1923. With the Church: Thoughts on Her Seasons and Chief Feasts (London: Burns and Oates, 1924). "A series of meditations written in simple yet vivid words, provocative of personal thought and aiming at practical rather than exalted spirituality, though it succeeds eminently in attaining both," Blackfriars, November 1924. Credo (pamphlet), 1926. With the Church (Burns, Oates, and Washbourne, 1928). Trust (her last book, 1930).

Many of her books were edited, and often introduced, by Jesuit father Herbert Thurston SJ.