Blogs

By Kayla Harris

The Marian Library welcomed nearly 600 students throughout October to view the exhibit Journeys of Faith: Shrines, Souvenirs and Catholic Tourism. As part of a program to earn points for preferred housing, University of Dayton students took a self-guided tour of the exhibit, answering questions about the materials and reflecting on how the exhibit connects to their own life experiences. 

A first look at the Marian Library

For many of the participating students, it was their first introduction to the unique artifacts from the Marian Library and U.S. Catholic Special Collection. A mechanical engineering student shared, “This showed me for the first time, rather than telling me, the work that the University does to preserve and share the connections between the University and its religious heritage.” 

A range of relics, keepsakes and memorabilia

A highlight of the exhibit for many students was the relics on display from the U.S. Catholic Special Collection, including Mary Magdalene, St. Patrick and St. Rose of Lima, among others. These objects — mortal remains of a saint or their belongings — are a popular and relatable element of Catholic devotion. One student shared, “I always think of saints as like from another world because many of them lived so long ago. Seeing the relics shows just how real they were.” Other students were inspired by the postcards, statues and souvenirs from shrines around the world. A civil engineering student noted, “Recently I’ve taken a lot of comfort in knowing that I am a piece of a larger movement (like climate action, social justice etc.). The exhibit does something similar by showing how global our Marianist community is.”

Visit the exhibit

Journeys of Faith is open to the public through Jan. 31. For more information, visit go.udayton.edu/journeysoffaith. 

— Kayla Harris is an associate professor and a librarian/archivist in the Marian Library.