Blogs

In the News: Oct. 24, 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 for the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary--USA
ESBVM-USA July 2017 Conference Call for Papers
The Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary USA (ESBVM USA) exists to advance the study of Mary, the Mother of Christ, in Christian biblical and spiritual perspectives, and in the light of such study, to promote ecumenical interchange and prayer. Its aim is to show that in Mary, Christians of many traditions may find a focus in their search for unity. The ESBVM was formed by Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Orthodox, and Presbyterian Scholars and is open to all Christians.
PROPOSAL DUE DATE: December 1, 2016
Conference Theme: "Mary, Disciple of the Lord: Prayer and Holiness"
Conference Dates: July 12 – 15, 2017 (Wed. evening through Sat. morning).
Conference Location: Misericordia University in Dallas, PA (near Scranton)
Submission Guidelines and Requirements:
The paper proposal should be in DOC or DOCX and must include:
Presentation Title
Presenter's 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, daytime telephone)
Abstract (350-500 words)
Equipment needs.
The overall theme for the conference is "Mary, Disciple of the Lord: Prayer and Holiness." This theme may be approached through a variety of avenues appropriate to your field of study, interests, and particular Christian tradition. The following are some suggestions for different scriptural, systematic, anthropological, liturgical, artistic or historical approaches to help get you started. This is not an exhaustive list, so please feel free to add to it.
Scriptural study of Mary's "pondering" in Luke 2:19 or the Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55
Historical or systematic study of writings by the Early Church Fathers on Mary and prayer, holiness, and the interior life
Historical study of Mary as a model of prayer and holiness in a particular tradition, such as Anglicanism
The thoughts of Protestant reformers on Mary as a holy example
Contemporary developments in Protestant thought and practice regarding Mary as an example of holiness for Christians, new Lutheran Marian feast days, or ecumenical Marian celebrations such as those at the shrine in Walsingham, England on the Feast of the Assumption
Commentary on a particular contemporary theologian or author who wrote about Marian prayer and/or Mary as an example of holiness
The theology of particular Marian prayers
Marian references in the liturgy
Mary as teacher of prayer and advancement in the interior life for contemporary society
Mary's holiness as portrayed in the visual, performing, or literary arts
Please submit proposals to the review committee at Maura.hearden@desales.edu.
TOPMary in Media: Books, Films, Music, etc.
Act of Entrustment of the Faithful of Wisconsin to Mary, Mother of Mercy on October 7, 2016
The bishops of Wisconsin entrusted the faithful in the dioceses and state to Mary, Mother of Mercy, and added an important daily follow-up. Click here for more information from National Catholic Register. Click here to listen to Archbishop Listecki's Homily (24 minutes). Click here to listen to the Entrustment Prayer (3 minutes). Click here to view photos of the Entrustment of Wisconsin to Our Lady of Mercy.
From the Marian Treasure Chest
Brother John M. Samaha, S.M., sent us the text below.
The Great Power of the Rosary by Saint John Paul II [excerpted from his Message at World Youth Day 2003]
Dear young people, do not be ashamed to recite the Rosary alone, while you walk along the streets to school, to the university or to work, or as you commute by public transport. Adopt the habit of reciting it among yourselves, in your groups, movements and associations. Do not hesitate to suggest that it be recited at home by your parents and brothers and sisters, because it rekindles and strengthens the bonds between family members. This prayer will help you to be strong in your faith, constant in charity, joyful and persevering in hope.
TOPMarian Events
Marian Day to Close the Jubilee Year of Mercy
Date: October 29-30, 2016
Where: Saint Mary's Church, 310 Allen Street, Dayton, Ohio 45410
The Faithful Association of Mary Coredemptrix with the Hispanic Ministry of Dayton and Saint Mary's Church Invite you.
Weekend Schedule
Saturday, October 29: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm at Saint Mary's Marian Center
Marian talks on the topic of Mary and Mercy in the Year of Mercy will be given in the morning. Community Activities including Procession, Rosary, and Mass will be held in the afternoon.
Sunday, October 30: 3-6 PM
There will be a presentation of unedited original music with Marian and Mercy themed scripts and an international expo of Marian artwork
TOPMary in the Catholic Press
Rosary Relay in Armagh to Engage Students in Mysteries of Faith (Zenit) April 29, 2016
The Archdiocese of Armagh is holding a Rosary Relay during the month of May in schools and across the archdiocese as part of the Jubilee Year of Mercy.
Announcing the prayer initiative, Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of All Ireland, said "In my Pastoral Message for the Year of Mercy, I indicated my wish for schools throughout the diocese to participate in a Rosary initiative and this has become our Rosary Relay. My vision is firstly to unite the pupils of the Archdiocese of Armagh in prayer during the month of May and then, through their example, to pass on the good news about the Rosary to families and others in the community." ...
Click here to read the complete article. Also, here is a related article: Rosary Rally in Armagh [includes links to video clips].
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.
Mary and the sacraments is topic of planned Mariological conference to be held at Schoenstatt center (South Texas Catholic) September 26, 2016
The Mariological Society of America will hold a conference at the Schoenstatt Center in Lamar on May 16-19, 2017. The theme of the conference will be The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Sacraments and will study the Blessed Virgin's relationship to the sacraments of Christian initiation, including baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist.
The Society has issued a call for papers for the conference. Abstracts of proposed papers are due by Oct. 15, to Father Frederick Miller at Frederick.miller@shu.edu and Dr. Robert Fastiggi at fastiggi.robert@shms.edu. Abstracts should be about 350-500 words and should include sources and an explanation of how the proposal relates to the theme of the conference....
Click here to see the complete article.