Blogs
Mary in the News: Nov. 11, 2020
By Michael Duricy
Marian Library and International Marian Research Institute Features
Updates
MSA Call For Papers
The Mariological Society of America [MSA] invites proposals for its May 11–14 2021 Conference to be held at the Marytown National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe, Libertyville, IL
THEME: Mary and the Word of God
In his 2010 apostolic exhortation, Verbum Domini, Pope Benedict XVI encouraged scholars "to study the relationship between Mariology and the theology of the Word," which he saw as "most beneficial both for the spiritual life and for theological and biblical studies." He went on to say that our understanding of Mary "stands at the heart of Christian truth. The incarnation of the Word cannot be conceived apart from the freedom of this young woman who by her assent decisively cooperated with the entrance of the eternal into time." (no. 27)
Among the topics that might be treated are the following:
Mary's familiarity with the Word of God
Mary as the teacher of God's Word
Mary as a prophet of God's Word: one through whom God speaks
Mary as the model and archetype of the Church's faith in God's Word
Mary and the preaching of the Word
Mary as the model of all Christians who interiorly conceive and give birth to the Word of God
Mary as the Mother of the Word Incarnate: the need for a Mother of the Word made flesh
The centrality of Mary in the written Word of God, the Bible
The spiritual sense of Scripture as needed for understanding Mary in the Bible
Marian dimensions of the Old Testament
Mary: the contemplative who ponders the Word in her heart (Lk 2:19, 51)
Mary's role in the transmission of God's Word in Tradition
The Marian profile of the Church as receptive to the Word of God
Please send abstracts by November 15, 2020 to Father Frederick Miller (frederick.miller@shu.edu) and Dr. Robert Fastiggi (fastiggi.robert@shms.edu). The abstract should be about 350-500 words. It should include sources and an explanation of how the proposal relates to the theme of the conference.
Mary in Media: Books, Films, Music, etc.
PRAY:THE STORY OF PATRICK PEYTON is still in theaters nationwide!
Father Peyton's message, "The family that prays together stays together," is needed today more than ever. Please consider doing the following:
Ask your local parish leadership to tell the congregation about the film through homilies, announcements, bulletins, CCD newsletters, and Flocknotes.
Ask your parish's Rosary and Bible Study Groups to seethe film, PRAY.
Alert your local Catholic school leadership to let families know that PRAY is valuable for families to see together.
Post on your social media accounts. Images and language can be found at Hashtag #praythefilm.
A simple invitation is one of the most powerful evangelization tools: invite your friends and family to see PRAY with you.
Marian Events
Title: PAMI - Congresso Mariologico Internazionale
Theme: La scienza mariologica
Date: November 27-28, 2020 [3-7 p.m. Rome time/9 a.m.-1 p.m. Eastern time]
Location: online
A convocation of Mariological specialists that is based on the Circular Letter of the Congregation for Catholic Education: The Virgin Mary in Intellectual and Spiritual Formation (1998) and a letter by PAMI: The Mother of the Lord. Memory, Presence, Hope (2000), will gather online to:
1. study the current situation of the teaching of mariology in the curricula of the three academic cycles, particularly in the first cycle;
2. define a "Statute for Mariologists";
3. create the commission for the design and realization of an "inculturated Mariology" that translates into theoretical and practical principles the trans-disciplinary approach that the apostolic constitution Veritatis gaudium of Pope Francis (8-12-2017) places on the foundation of thought and theological thought.
(online November 27 and 28th - 8:00- 12 noon CST)
Mary in the Catholic Press
The Church, world need Mary's motherhood and womanhood (Vatican News) November 4, 2020
Pope Francis 0n October 24, 2020, received in audience, in the Paul VI Hall, the docents and students of the Pontifical Theological Faculty Marianum in Rome, on the occasion of the seventieth anniversary of the Faculty's foundation.
According to Pope Francis, Mary is the model of mother and woman. Her school is one of faith and life, and she teaches well the alphabet of human and Christian life.
The Pope made the comment to some 200 students and professors of the Pontifical Theological Faculty "Marianum" of Rome, run by the Order of Servants of Mary (The Servites). This prestigious academic institution on Mariology also publishes Marianum, a well-known journal on Marian theology.
By going to the heart of her mystery, the Pope said, we can discover the wonders of her motherhood and her womanhood. Elizabeth recognized her as "mother of the Lord," the Pope said, and Jesus wanted us to walk in life with the best of mothers....
Complete Address in Italian with links to translations in French, Portuguese, and Spanish
Mary in the Secular Press
Virgin Mary statue 'beheaded' as France remains on high alert after terror atrocities (Express) November 6, 2020
Police are investigating the desecration of a statue of the Virgin Mary in France amid fears the incident could have been inspired by recent attacks.
The statue in a small replica of the Grotto of Lourdes was found decapitated in Montpezat-de-Quercy in the Tarn-et-Garonne region. Officials said the vandalism took on a particular significance with France on high alert after the murder of teacher Samuel Paty who was beheaded in a horrific terrorist attack in Yvelines near Paris three weeks ago....