One of the 20th century’s greatest writers about the Virgin Mary was a convert from Judaism

One of the 20th century’s greatest writers about the Virgin Mary was a most unlikely convert from Judaism. Born Raïssa Oumansoff, in the Russian Empire, she emigrated to France with her family and took up her studies at the Sorbonne.

Despairing at the emptiness of materialism, her passionate search for truth led her to the Catholic Church. Her conversion, along with that of her husband, Jacques Maritain, heralded a renaissance of Christian thought in the 20th century. Raïssa’s writings, imbued with poetic grace and profound theological insight, reveal a soul ardently devoted to the Virgin Mary.

Raïssa was a reluctant convert to Marian devotion. Once, during a bout of illness before her conversion, Raïssa was visited by Jeanne Bloy, wife of French author Léon Bloy, who placed a Miraculous Medal around her neck. Raïssa describes herself as being initially somewhat vexed at the imposition. However, she says, “In a moment, and without truly realizing what I was doing, I was confidently appealing to the Blessed Virgin, and then fell into a gentle and healing sleep.”

Raïssa soon became very close to the Virgin Mary. Describing a day marked by great consolation in prayer, she writes, “I was seized with a feeling of familiarity with God, with Jesus, with Mary. I wept and exulted. It was as if there were a perpetual spring of joy, of sweetness, of happy certainty welling up in me – it lasted a long while – and the memory of it has not been effaced.”

Father Patrick Briscoe, April 30, 2024

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