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Mary in the News: Nov. 5, 2019

By Michael Duricy

Read recent items about Mary in both Catholic and secular news. Also, see International Marian Research Institute as well as Marian Library news and updates.

Marian Library and International Marian Research Institute Features

Updates

THE CENTRE FOR MARIAN STUDIES AND THE INSTITUTE OF THEOLOGY AT ST MARY'S UNIVERSITY, TWICKENHAM, LONDON, UK: BRIDGES AND BOUNDARIES: THE ROLE OF THE VIRGIN MARY IN FAITH AND CULTURE--July 9-11, 2020

Call For Papers

The Virgin Mary is a link between the three Abrahamic faiths as a Jewish mother whose son, Jesus, is worshipped by Christians and revered by Muslims; and a sacred female symbol who has inspired diverse works of culture (both religious and secular) across the centuries.

The conference organizers invite presentations (30 minutes in length) that:

i) explore the significance of the Virgin Mary as a connection between different faith traditions;

ii) examine the manifold ways in which the Marian image traverses boundaries and motivates theologians, philosophers, historians, anthropologists, sociologists, artists, architects, writers, and filmmakers who might be strange bedfellows in another context.

Confirmed speakers include Andrew Louth, Professor Emeritus of Patristic and Byzantine Studies at the University of Durham; Salvador Ryan, Professor of Ecclesiastical History at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth; Dr. Teresa Witcombe, Leverhulme Visiting Research Fellow in the Centre for Medieval Studies at the University of Exeter; Dr. Eileen Rubery, Art Historian and Lecturer at the London School of Mosaics; Dr. Mary Frances McKenna, Independent Scholar; and Dr. Sarah Jane Boss, St. Mary’s College, Oscott.

This event will also be an opportunity to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Centre for Marian Studies, established in 1995, which is a registered charity that provides educational courses, promotes research, and maintains a library, on subjects relating to the theology and wider cult of the Virgin Mary.  The Centre for Marian Studies, which has no religious affiliation and is open to members of any religious tradition or none, is dedicated to interdisciplinary collaboration to form a dynamic learning community that supports and advances Marian scholarship.

Please submit abstracts (250 words) with a short biography by November 15, 2019 to Dr. Jacob Phillips and Dr. Catherine O’Brien at the following address: centreformarianstudies@gmail.com.

Website

Mary in Media: Books, Films, Music, etc.

Recent Publication by an IMRI Professor

"The Virgin Mary in the Hymns of the Catholic Church," a 17-page chapter by Father Thomas Thompson, S.M., appears in the recently published Oxford Handbook of Mary.  Edited by Chris Maunder, the Handbook includes forty-two chapters on various topics that focus upon Mary the mother of Jesus and her veneration in Catholic, Orthodox, and Muslim traditions.

More Information

From the Marian Treasure Chest

We regret to inform you that Brother John Samaha, S.M., passed away recently.  He has been providing the materials posted in the Marian Treasure Chest section of this News blog for years.  Fore more information, see the article below.

The Passing of a Friend by Sarah Burke Cahalan

Brother John Samaha, S.M., who worked for many years on projects in the Marian Library and International Marian Research Institute, passed away on Sept. 27, 2019, at the age of 88.  He served 70 years in the religious profession as a member of the Society of Mary.

I never had the pleasure of meeting him in person, but he kept active ties to the Marian Library by mailing clippings and other ephemera as recently as 2017.  His devotion to the collections and mission here was apparent and is reflected in the many entries he contributed to the Mary Page, now All About Mary. I am sure he was warmly welcomed to heaven by Our Lady.  An excerpt from a brief biography from Father Jim Fitz, S.M., illustrates Brother John's lifelong commitment to the service of the Blessed Mother and the Society of Mary:

Brother John received a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Dayton in 1952.  He served in Marianist schools in the United States and Lebanon.  Of special interest to the members of our University community was his devotion to the Marian Library and the International Marian Research Institute, including its first website, the Mary Page. He was involved in the Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Mariological Society of America....

Complete Article

Marian Events

Title: Maria nel Medioevo fra antropologia e teologia

Dates: Giovedi, November 7, 2019

Time: 4:00 p.m.

Location: Pontificia Facolta Teologica Marianum, Roma

Il Preside: Prof. Denis S. KULANDAISAMY

La invita a partecipare al I° incontro della cattedra 2019-2020 per il ciclo

TEOLOGHE E TEOLOGIE

Presentazione del volume

K.E. BØRRESEN,

Maria nel medioevo. fra antropologia e teologia

More information

Mary in the Catholic Press

"Saying 'I Love You.' Cannot Become Redundant, and Neither Can Saying 'Hail Mary'," (Zenit) October 15, 2019

When someone is in love, saying 'I love you,' can never become monotonous, or mechanical, for it is special every time. Praying the rosary, and saying the Hail Mary is the same.  It never gets old, each time, each prayer is new….

Msgr. Lucio Ruiz, Secretary of the Dicastery for Communication told this to ZENIT in the Holy See Press Office on Oct. 15, 2019, following a "Meeting point" for journalists for the launch of Click To Pray eRosary, a new 'smart'  Rosary to pray for Peace in the World.  The Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network introduced the new way to engage young people in a traditional prayer....

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.

Dowry of Mary: Re-dedication of England - 2020 (Diocese of Westminster website) September 23, 2019

During the course of 2018 to 2020 the statue of Our Lady from the Slipper Chapel at the Catholic National Shrine in Walsingham will be taken to each Cathedral in England for a three-day triduum of prayer, as part of the preparation for the re-dedication of England as the Dowry of Mary in 2020.  Each visit will take place between a Thursday and Saturday.....

Complete Article

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Weekly Marian Features: Nov. 4, 2019

Mother of the Church, Our Lady of Mariapócs and more
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Weekly Marian Features: Nov. 11, 2019

Our Lady of Divine Providence, November poetry and more.
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