Blogs
In the News: March 7, 2016
By Michael Duricy
Read recent items about Mary in both Catholic and secular news. Also see International Marian Research Institute news and updates.
Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute Features
Updates
Father Arokiasamy Susaimani was recently re-elected to serve as Provincial for the Indian province of Aikkiya Annai (Mother of Unity) for the Order of Servants of Mary. He asked for prayers, especially for graces to support him in the challenges of this position. We congratulate Father Mani and wish him well.
Mary in Media: Books, Films, Music, etc.
Risen, an epic Biblical story of the Resurrection, as told through the eyes of a non-believer, was recently released in theaters. I watched it myself and am happy to recommend it, especially to those happy with the tone, theme, and production values of The Bible mini-series shown on The History Channel or A.D., shown later on network television, from the same producers. The Crucifixion is shown early in the film and Mary appears there briefly. She did not have a large role in that scene, but it was her only appearance. For further details click into a review by Father Peter Malone posted on the Signis website. Click here to view the official two-minute trailer posted on YouTube.
Also, be aware that another film based on the New Testament, The Young Messiah, is scheduled to be released on March 11, 2016. Based on the Anne Rice novel, Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt, this film tells the story of Jesus Christ at age seven as He and his family depart Egypt to return home to Nazareth. Told from His childhood perspective, it follows young Jesus as He grows into His religious identity. Click here to view the official two-minute trailer posted on YouTube, or here to read a review of this film written by Father Peter Malone for Signis.
Finally, note that Danielle Peters posted a review of the film, Mary of Nazareth, on the website of the University of Notre Dame.
From the Marian Treasure Chest
Brother John M. Samaha, S.M., sent us the text immediately below along with the following comment: "This article about Blessed Jacob Gapp was published in The Catholic Response, January-February 2016, pages 10-12."
A Modern Martyr Championed the Catholic Press
Blessed Jacob Gapp, S.M., may well be considered another patron of the Catholic press as well as a patron of justice and peace advocates. Because the Gestapo condemned him for his unwavering adherence to the Catholic faith and his unabashed denunciation of National Socialism (Nazism), Father Jacob Gapp was guillotined by the Nazis in Berlin at the Ploetzensee Prison on August 13, 1943. Pope John Paul II beatified him in 1996.
Before entering the Society of Mary in his native Austria, this intrepid Marianist priest had served in the Austrian army in World War I, was wounded and decorated for valor, and suffered as a prisoner of war in northern Italy. This experience taught him to loathe war, selfishness and greed, arrogant pride, political and social injustice. As a young Marianist religious and teacher of religion he was unstinting as a militant advocate for the poor, the needy, and the oppressed.
This action made Father Gapp a serious irritant to the Nazis after they annexed Austria in 1938. For his own safety and for the welfare of the Marianist school where he was teaching in Graz, his superiors moved him from place to place for parish work. The Nazi regime forbade him to teach. Some pupils in the Tyrol told a school inspector in October 1938 that Father Gapp explained to them the Gospel message of brotherly love and their obligation to love and respect "Frenchmen, Czechs, Jews, and communists alike, as they were all human beings." He insisted, "God is your God, not Adolf Hitler." ...
Click here to read the complete article.
Marian Events
Father John Larson, MIC, is scheduled to teach a course on Mariology at John Paul the Great Catholic University starting on April 13, 2016. Click here for details.
One of the textbooks used will be The Marian Mystery: Outline of a Mariology (2014) by Denis Farkasfalvy, O. Cist. Click here to see a review of this text by Father Edward Looney published in Homiletic and Pastoral Review.
Mary in the Catholic Press
New 'Awe-Inspiring' Mosaic Shows Apparition at Knock from Zenit (Philippines) February 23, 2016
A mosaic was unveiled Sunday at the shrine of Our Lady of Knock in Ireland.
The mosaic, illustrated by well-known Irish artist P. J. Lynch, depicts in incredible detail the 1879 Apparition, as described by the fifteen official witnesses. It has been crafted by a team of mosaic artisans of Travisanutto Mosaics. The artisans, from Spilimbergo, near Venice, Italy, worked on the mosaic for eight months in their workshop before transporting it to Knock in sections during January. A team of artisans came to Knock to install the huge artwork, which measures 14 meters x 14 meters (46 feet by 46 feet).
The mosaic is understood to be one of Europe's biggest pieces of mosaic on a flat surface. It was crafted from some 1.5 million individual pieces of mosaic.
Travisanutto Mosaics have already worked on some of the best known religious sites around the world, such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, and the Basilica at the National Shrine of Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C., the largest Catholic church in the U.S....
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Mary in the Secular Press
The director and editors of All About Mary under the auspices of the International Marian Research Institute do not necessarily endorse or agree with the events and ideas expressed in this feature. Our sole purpose is to report on items about Mary gleaned from a myriad of papers representing the secular press.
Miriyam Award 2016 (University of Dayton Center for Social Concern) March 6, 2016
Congratulations to the 2016 Miryam Award recipients: Irene Dickey and Molly Schaller, as well as the others who were nominated. To honor them, please join us in the Marianist Hall Chapel for a prayer service on Monday, March 21 at 4:30 pm. The reception and award presentation will immediately follow in KU's Barrett Dining Room. To RSVP for the reception, call Sue Terbay at 937-229-2524.
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