Blogs
Mary in the News: Jan. 13, 2020
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
2020 Annual Conference of the ESBVM USA Call for Papers
The Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary, USA (ESBVM USA) was formed by Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Orthodox, and Presbyterian Scholars and is open to all Christians. The Society exists to advance the scholarly study of Mary, the Mother of Christ. By drawing on insights and perspectives from all traditions within the Christian household, the Society promotes increasing one's understanding of Christianity, furthering the effectiveness of the Christian mission, fostering academic interchange, and participating in inter-ecclesial prayer.
PROPOSAL DUE DATE: March 1, 2020
Conference Theme: "Mary, Mother of the Lord"
Conference Dates: July 22-25, 2020
Conference Location: Misericordia University, 301 Lake Street, Dallas, PA 18612 (just outside Wilkes-Barre)
Submission Guidelines and Requirements:
The paper proposal should be in DOC or DOCX and must include: presentation title, your name, professional affiliation (e.g., university or church name), and status (undergrad, grad. student, Ph.D. candidate, faculty, pastor, etc.), contact information (e-mail address and daytime telephone), abstract (350-500 words), and equipment needs.
The general theme for the 2020 ESBVM USA Conference is "Mary, Mother of the Lord." This theme may be explored using a variety of methods appropriate to your field of study, personal interests, and particular Christian tradition. The following are some suggested topics to use for inspiration:
- Explorations of Mary's motherhood as gleaned from particular Scripture passages (Old Testament typologies and prophecies as well as New Testament texts);
- A study of Mary's motherhood as explored in the work of particular theologians and churchmen including the Early Church Fathers, Medieval Scholars, Protestant Reformers, and contemporary theologians;
- Mary's motherhood as it relates to and illuminates cultural and social justice issues, anthropological issues, sacramental theology, Christian anthropology, and/or soteriology;
- Conclusions drawn from or about ecumenical dialogues on the subject of Mary's motherhood;
- Historical, systematic, scriptural, or ecumenical explorations of Mary's motherhood as revealed by Marian titles such as Theotókos, Maria Lactans, or Mother of the Church and/or aspects of Mary's motherhood enshrined in Marian dogmas;
- Eastern and/or Western artistic depictions of Mary as mother of Christ, Christians, or the Church in the visual, literary and performing arts;
- Liturgical texts, prayers, and feast days in honor of Mary's motherhood; and
- The role that Mary's motherhood has played in Marian apparitions.
Please address your proposal for review to:
Christopher M. Carr, Ph.D.
ESBVM-USA, President
Misericordia University
301 Lake Street
Dallas, PA 18612
Mary in Media: Books, Films, Music, etc.
Kanye West Brings Opera Christmas Story, Mary, to New York City
Christian rap superstar and fashion mogul, Kanye West, is openly expressing his Christian faith in the holiday season and is set to bring his opera production, Mary, to the Lincoln Center in New York City, just three days before Christmas.
According to Vanity Fair, the opera is a follow up to West's Nebuchadnezzar production and had its debut at the Marine Stadium in Miami, Florida, this month. The production is directed by artist, Vanessa Beecroft, with music by Sunday Service, the magazine added.
Mary, originally titled Birth of Jesus, tells the story of Jesus' birth. The Closed on Sunday artist "thought it would be more interesting to tell the story from Mary's point of view. Unlike Jesus, a divine being, Mary was just a human, petrified by the angels' message and brilliance," the outlet reported....
Marian Events
Title: Mary in Miniature
Topic: Book of Hours in the Marian Library's Collection
Dates: January 27, 2020 - July 17, 2020
Time: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
Location: University of Dayton, Marian Library Gallery, seventh floor of Roesch Library
Free and open to the public
Books of Hours--devotional books centered on a series of prayers to the Virgin Mary--were the bestselling book in Europe for over 300 years, from 1250-1550. This exhibit highlights Books of Hours in the Marian Library's collection--their art, their text and their unique (and sometimes unusual) features. Books of Hours, also called horae, not only contain artistic masterpieces in miniature but also provide a window into the religious and social lives and customs of their medieval readers....
Mary in the Catholic Press
Celebration of First Vespers of Solemnity of Mary Most Holy, Mother of God and Te Deum of Thanksgiving for Past Year (Zenit), December 31, 2019
God changed the world through a man born poor in an undistinguished town of a simple woman of faith.
That was the reminder Pope Francis called forth in his homily on December 31, 2019, in the Vatican Basilica, as he presided over the First Vespers of the Solemnity of Mary Most Holy, Mother of God, which was followed by the exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament, the traditional singing of the "Te Deum" hymn, at the end of the civil year, and the Eucharistic Blessing.
"We must not be afraid or feel inadequate for such an important mission," the Holy Father said. "Let us remember: God doesn't choose us for our 'bravura', but, in fact, because we are and feel little....
Mary in the Secular Press
Orchestra of PAMI (PAMI blog) January 7, 2020
On the occasion of the 24th public session of the Pontifical Academies, the Orchestra of the Pontifical Academia Mariana Internationalis, conducted by Maestro, Federico Vozzella, with the soprano, Maria Claudia Donato, and composed by the teachers: Maria Anghelone; Oscar Di Raimo; Davide Le Boffe; Manuel Perez; Maurizio Cassandra; Fabio Acone; Ernesto Tretola; and Nicola Narduzzi was officially presented on December 4, 2019.