Blogs

By Shari Neilson and Melanie Zebrowski

Although the hustle and bustle of the Marian Library’s At the Manger celebration will not be taking place this year, we are hoping to spread some Christmas cheer with a book sale. Current items in our inventory are now discounted and ready to be shipped out for the holiday season. Browse the collection. Here’s just a sampling of the available titles:

God Still Comes

If you’ve been waiting for years to get a copy of our most popular title, God Still Comes, now is the time! This 240-page book, available exclusively at the Marian Library, highlights some of our most interesting Nativity sets from around the world. Full of explanation, expression and over 250 photographs, Father Johann Roten, S.M., invites the reader to contemplate the history and purpose of Nativity sets, as well as how geography and culture shape endless varieties of this beautiful art form.

From the introduction: “These pages are an invitation to enter the magic world of Christmas, its joyful celebration and deeper meaning. … Entering the world of the crèche, the reader will discover some of its traditions and manifold expressions.”

Mirror of Hope

“Mirror of Hope,” one of the most popular sculptures in the Marian Library's collection, depicts significant events in the history of Christianity. Artist Kevin Hanna was commissioned to create the 12-foot-wide by 5-foot-high sculpture, featuring more than 240 clay figures, to celebrate the new millennium and the 150th anniversary of the University of Dayton. This 110-page book is filled with large photographs that enhance even the smallest details in the structure and gives insight into the artist’s creative processes. Traveling through “Mirror of Hope” piece by piece and scene by scene, the book allows for a truly personal experience of salvation history. Volunteer Ann Persensky shares more information about the sculpture.

Nacimientos

Nacimientos, first published in 1979, is the first comprehensive work on Nativity scenes of Native American populations in the southwestern United States. This art form first emerged among Native American artists in the late 1950s. Although only a handful of artists engaged in the craft in the early 1960s, the authors — Guy and Doris Monthan — discovered that more than three dozen Nativity artists are now active. Written with English, Spanish and German translations, the book presents more than 30 color images of creations by 17 artists representing 10 pueblos and tribes. Each scene reflects the customs and culture of the artist's own pueblo or tribe. Included are a biography of each artist and a list of 20 additional artists. The introduction traces the 2,000-year history of the Nativity scene, as well as its recent development among Indian artists.

—Shari Neilson is the administrative assistant and office coordinator in the Marian Library. Melanie Zebrowski is a library specialist in the Marian Library.