Blogs
In the News: Sept. 20, 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
CALL FOR PAPERS
The Shrine of Fatima and the Faculty of Theology of the Catholic University of Portugal, in charge of the organization of the International Conference of the Centennial of Fatima, Thinking Fatima--Interdisciplinary Readings, which will take place in the Shrine of Fatima from June 21-24, 2017, invite researchers of different disciplines of Theological, Social, and Human Sciences to present papers related to the event of Fatima, throughout the 100 years of its existence.
Papers are accepted in Portuguese, English, Spanish, Italian, French, and German. Plenary conferences will be guaranteed in Portuguese, English, and Italian. The proposals must fall within one of the thematic fields, and should be submitted anonymously to the evaluation of at least two members of the Scientific Committee of the Congress, selected by the Organizing Committee, upon presentation of an abstract.
The deadline for Paper proposals (Abstracts) is December 31, 2016.
Click here for further details [in Spanish].
TOPMary in Media: Books, Films, Music, etc.
Catholic Film Studio in Spain
We recently learned about Goya Productions, a studio in Madrid, Spain which makes professional quality, truly Catholic films. They plan to release Luz de Soledad, a film about the founder of the Servants of Mary religious order in theaters in Spain on October 21, 2016. Click here for more information.
From the Marian Treasure Chest
Brother John M. Samaha, S.M., sent us the text below.
Mary in Proper Context by Brother John M. Samaha, S.M.
The Catholic Church is continually active in responding to doctrinal questions and pastoral issues. This is especially evident since the Second Vatican Council. Hundreds of documents have been published by the popes, the Synod of Bishops, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and the various conferences of bishops, all pursuant to their roles as transmitters and guardians of the deposit of faith.
Most of these documents, especially encyclical letters and apostolic exhortations, conclude with a reference to the Virgin Mary. This seems to be a standard practice. Father Ignatius Calabuig, a Spanish Servite who was a renowned Mariologist, believed the practice originated with the encyclical Mystici Corporis (On the Mystical Body of Christ, 1943). Pope Pius XII concluded this landmark instruction with a paragraph dedicated to a concise synthesis of Mary's role in the Mystical Body of Christ.
The examination of these Marian conclusions would constitute an interesting study. In a cursory observation of their typology we find request for intercession, commending with trust, invitation to imitate and to praise, and doctrinal synthesis.
In no way does this observation imply that such mention of the Blessed Virgin Mary is not justified. In reality it is necessary. To treat adequately any question regarding divine revelation it is necessary to refer to her who is "the gracious Mother of the Divine Redeemer, the gracious associate and humble handmaid of the Lord. (Lumen Gentium, #61) Mary is the wholly unique and eminent image of the Church, the great symbol of the person who reaches the deepest desires of their intelligence, will, and heart. (The Virgin Mary in Intellectual and Spiritual Formation [VMISF])
Most Mariologists and many theologians concur with Father Calabuig's suggestion that "mention of Mary should not be confined to the concluding part of these documents, but should occur where the material itself suggests; that is, where revelation regarding Mary of Nazareth can offer light and understanding to the question under discussion." In fact the ordinary magisterium of the Church states: "The history of theology shows that knowledge of the mystery of the Virgin contributes to a greater knowledge of the mystery of Christ, of the Church, and of the vocation of the human person." (VMISF, #18) Mary's role should not appear as an appendage, but should be discussed in the body of an instruction. This is the majority opinion among mainline theologians.
When Father Heinrich Koester, noted Pallotine theologian in Germany, received The Marian Library Medal at the Tenth International Mariological Congress he offered this interesting observation: "Why spend much time and great effort on Mary? ... Today there are great demands on theology, and theologians must respond to the complex problems presented by this world. However, the Mother of God cannot be consigned to oblivion. Rather than be silent about Mary, we invite the whole Church to appreciate and experience the beauty of Mary, God's blessing to the Church. Certainly the People of God has sufficient numbers of sustain some to elucidate the mystery of Mary for the Church. Nor need there be any fear that the treasury will be exhausted or that nothing relevant can be found."
TOPMarian Events
Mary, Mother of Mercy Celebration [With Historic Visit of the International Pilgrim Virgin of Our Lady of Fatima Statue to Milwaukee]
Date: Friday, October 7, 2016
What: Holy Mass: Archbishop Jerome Listecki Principal Celebrant and Homilist
Details: 5:30 pm Church doors open; 6:45 pm Presentation on the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue; 7:00 pm Holy Mass with Archbishop Jerome Listecki
[Sponsored by the John Paul II Center for the New Evangelization of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and the Rosary Evangelization Apostolate]
Click here for more information.
Mary in the Catholic Press
Pope Francis Canonizes Two Founders of Religious Orders from Zenit June 5, 2016
Pope Francis has made two founders of religious orders canonized saints.
This morning, the Holy Father canonized Blessed Mary Elizabeth Hesselblad, a Swedish Lutheran convert who established the Bridgettine order in her nation, and Blessed Stanislaus Papczynski of Poland, who founded the Marians of the Immaculate Conception during a Mass in St. Peter's Square, followed by his Sunday Angelus address.
In his homily, the Holy Father urged the some 40,000 faithful gathered to imitate the newly canonized saints as models of holiness, and as examples of remaining united to Christ, even at moments of suffering....
Click here to read the complete article.
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.
Mercy, A Chance for Life: A Five-week Online Retreat (Press Release) September 2, 2016
Given the success of the online retreats entitled, Source of Living Water and In the Heart of the World, which have been available since 2015 on the Congrégation de Notre-Dame website, Sister Marie Azzarello and Sister Rachel Gaudreau are back! As this Jubilee Year of Mercy draws to a close, the online retreat Mercy, A Chance for Life invites us to take time to become more conscious of God's tender mercy in our lives. The new online retreat will be launched on September 25 with new content added throughout the five-week period. Once the retreat is completed, it will permanently remain on the Congrégation de Notre-Dame's website for retreatants to return to or to experience at a time best suited to them. Participants are welcome to write to Sister Marie and Sister Rachel.
The retreat, Mercy, A Chance for Life, offers writings and reflections of Marie and Rachel, of Pope Francis and other authors, and invites us to look into our lives and contemplate God. Like the vinedresser and the seemingly barren fig tree (Lk 13:1-9), God wants to give us another chance to bear fruit. The mandalas created by Rachel will also enrich our reflection. The word mandala means "circle." To enter within the circle of the mandala inspired by the Word of God will nourish the reflection and help us access our fruitfulness so that we may better answer the call to our mission. We wish you a pleasant journey.
Information:
Les Soeurs de la Congrégation de Notre-Dame
2330 Sherbrooke Street West
Montreal, QC H3H 1G8
www.cnd-m.org
www.heritagecnd.org
Source:
Stéphanie Manseau,
Director of Communication Services
Congrégation de Notre-Dame
Telephone: (514) 931-5891 ext. 236
Email: smanseau@cnd-m.org