Blogs

The first online Marian Forum hosted by the International Marian Research Institute was held 3-5 p.m. Eastern Time, on Friday, October 16, 2015, and broadcast from the University of Dayton, Ohio. This Forum featured two presenters who sent their papers in advance to the 28 registered participants, including those from Canada, Costa Rica, and Vietnam. Some sent their questions in advance by email, while 18 people participated live, posting questions in the chat box. The first hour was spent with the interesting summaries of research while the second hour was devoted to a lively answering the questions from the chat box, email, and live audience.

Fr. Benedict O'Cinnsealaigh, the president/rector of The Athenaeum of Ohio: Mt. St. Mary's Seminary, reviewed the presence of Mary in seminary programs in general to present an ideal balanced with real experience. He reviewed the current practices relating Mary to priestly formation that includes human, spiritual, pastoral, and academic formation. He concluded with Cardinal Ratzinger's argument for Mary's central role in the academic formation of seminarians.

Dr. Robert Fastiggi presented the results of his survey regarding the current status of Mariology in 35 major (graduate) seminaries in the United States. All of the seminaries include Mariology in some way. Some seminaries have required stand-alone courses in Mariology, while others include it with other subjects, and still others offer it as an elective.

The second Marian Forum is scheduled for 2:30-4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 5, 2016. The topic will be related to the Marian Church. More details will be provided soon.

– Gloria Falcao Dodd, Doctor of Sacred Theology, The Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute