Women of Grace^® Event Details

Online Book Study: The World's First Love by Fulton J. Sheen

Join Women of Grace for an 11-week online book study of The World's First Love: Mary, Mother of God by Fulton J. Sheen, held in honor of the beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.

Led by Susan Brinkmann, O.C.D.S., this study will explore Bishop Sheen’s eloquent and insightful portrait of the Blessed Virgin Mary, drawing from Scripture, theology, history, and spirituality. As we journey through the major events and mysteries of Mary's life, we will reflect on her unique dignity, strength, and role in God's plan for the salvation of the world.

Each weekly session will include assigned reading, study questions, and opportunities for participant discussion. Assignments and discussion points will be provided by email each week.

Dates: Mondays, September 21 through November 30, 2026
Time: 7:30–8:30 PM ET
Format: Online instruction and discussion
Length: 11 weeks

What You'll Discover

Through this study, you will:

• Be moved by the eloquent and brilliant writing of Fulton J. Sheen.
• Gain deeper insight into the events and mysteries of Mary's life.
• Explore timeless problems facing humanity and how Mary points us toward their resolution.
• Discover the unique dignity, strength, and gifts of women and their role in helping to heal the world.
• Grow in your understanding of Mary's maternal love for all her children.

Please note: The book must be purchased separately.

Study Book

The World's First Love: Mary, Mother of God by Fulton J. Sheen, with a foreword by Andrew Apostoli, C.F.R., offers a profound and inspiring portrait of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Bishop Sheen explores Marian teachings including the Immaculate Conception, the Assumption, and Our Lady of Fatima, while reflecting on Mary's place in the life of every Christian.

Book Study Leader

Susan Brinkmann, O.C.D.S. is an author, award-winning journalist, and member of the Third Order of Discalced Carmelites. She serves as Director of New Age Research for Women of Grace® and is a frequent guest on EWTN's Women of Grace television program. Susan is also the founder of Live Catholic, an educational nonprofit devoted to teaching authentic Catholic prayer in the Carmelite tradition.

She has authored numerous books and co-authored the Young Women of Grace Study Program with Johnnette Benkovic Williams. Her work in Catholic journalism and education has earned numerous national awards, including the Bernadine-O'Connor Award for Pro-Life Journalism and the Eileen Egan Journalism Award from Catholic Relief Services.

Register today and journey deeper into the mystery, dignity, and love of Mary, the Mother of God.

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• Susan Brinkmann, OCDS

  Susan Brinkmann, O.C.D.S., is an author and award-winning journalist is a member of the Third Order of Discalced Carmelites. She serves as Director of New Age Research for Women of Grace® and is a frequent guest on EWTN’s Women of Grace® television show. She is the founder of Live Catholic, an educational nonprofit devoted to teaching authentic Catholic prayer in the Carmelite tradition to the faithful. Susan formerly worked as a Correspondent for the Catholic Standard & Times, the newspaper for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

  For the last 10 years she has been the lead researcher for Women of Grace’s New Age Q&A Blog which is the largest blog of its kind in the world. The library of information now exceeds 1600 entries on everything from acupuncture and angels to wicca and yoga.

  She has also authored seventeen books, including The Learn to Discern Compendium: Is It Christian or New Age which has an imprimatur from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Avila Institute published her book, A Catholic Guide to Mindfulness which educates the Catholic faithful about the Buddhist practice of mindfulness and how it differs from authentic Catholic spirituality, teaching and thought. Along with Johnnette Williams, she co-authored the Young Women of Grace Study Program which teaches girls ages 13+ what it means to be authentically feminine. Susan’s Like a Catholic series which introduces Carmelite spirituality to the faithful. This series includes Pray Like a Catholic, Live Like a Catholic, Mindful Like a Catholic, and Fight Like a Catholic, all of which have imprimaturs from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Her daily devotional, entitled Day by Day in the Little Way: 365 Reflections on the Teachings of St. Therese of Lisieux introduces devotees to the Little Way of Spiritual Childhood.

  In the fall of 2024, Viident Publications launched Susan’s new series of Catholic women’s novels entitled The Chronicles of Ariella, a gripping saga of murder, romance and redemption that spans six novels and 2000 years of Church history.

  Her national journalism awards include the Bernadine-O’Connor Award for Pro-Life Journalism, the Eileen Egan Journalism Award from Catholic Relief Services, and numerous awards from the Catholic Press Association and the Philadelphia Press Association.