Blogs
In the News: Feb. 23, 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
The Marian Library has been nominated for the American Society of Archivists' Philip M. Hamer and Elizabeth Hamer Kegan Award for their work in the Faith, Reason, and One-hour Processing exhibit and courses. The nomination was made by the Catholic Library Association. The award recognizes an archivist, editor, group of individuals, or institution that has increased public awareness of a specific body of documents through compilation, transcription, exhibition, or public presentation of archives or manuscript materials for educational, instructional, or other public purpose and comes with a monetary payment of a varying amount per annual budget.
Also, every weekday during Lent, the bells at the Immaculate Conception Chapel at the University of Dayton (UD) will ring with a Marian hymn just before 3 pm, inviting us to pray the Marianist Three O'Clock Prayer together at the sculpture in Saint Mary's courtyard. Take a moment from your day to join members of the UD community to pray for our brothers and sisters around the world.
Mary in Media: Books, Films, Music, etc.
Matthew Levering's newest publication, Mary's Bodily Assumption (Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 2015) sheds bright light on his passion for and expertise in ecumenical dialogue. Erudite and supplied with extensive notes, this ambitious and thought-provoking work aims at showing how Mary's bodily Assumption, and by extension, each of the Marian dogmas, is a logical implication of Mary's mission as Theotokos.
When Pius XII defined and proclaimed the dogma of Mary's bodily Assumption into heaven on November 1, 1950, he could count on the overwhelming support of those in communion with the Apostolic See. It is therefore astonishing that, since then, very little further exploration of the doctrine has occurred. In fact, the last book in English on Mary's Assumption was published more than thirty years ago, while "during this same time period, however, Protestant (and especially Evangelical) interest in Mary has increased significantly." Filling this lacuna, the distinguished, well-known scholar and Perry Family Professor of Theology at Mundelein Seminary offers a systematic and ecumenical rationale for the newest Marian dogma that also aids Catholics in a proper understanding of Mary's Assumption. Both aspects--ecumenical dialogue and in-depth Marian teaching--are a rare combination in current academic discourse, wherefore Professor Levering is to be commended for his courage, expertise, as well as humility to take on this challenge.
Click here to read the complete review of this book by Danielle M. Peters, S.T.D.
From the Marian Treasure Chest
Brother John M. Samaha, S.M., sent us the text immediately below along with the following comment: "This article about St. Juan Diego was published in Missio Immaculatae International, January-February 2016, pages 32-34.
Saint Juan Diego, Icon of Mary's Evangelizing Mission
The canonization of Saint Juan Diego elicited worldwide enthusiasm for the recognition of another Christlike lay person. This latest saint of Mexico was the Virgin Mother Mary's chosen messenger of evangelization in the nascent Church of the sixteenth century New World. He is an illustrious example of a Christian in action.
The contemporary significance of the canonization and the occurrence at Guadalupe is multifaceted. But the implication for the new evangelization in our day is overwhelming. The honor bestowed on Saint Juan Diego extends the clarion call addressed to all Christians to respond actively to their baptismal vocation and consecration to collaborate with Mary in bringing Christ to all peoples. Echoed again is the slogan of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, Founder of the Marianist Family: "We are all missionaries of Mary."
The occasion has renewed and increased the momentum of the movement to designate Juan Diego as the patron saint of the laity and lay apostles.
God's plan for salvation needs the cooperation of us all. In the Guadalupe event, God chose to give the miraculous image of Mary, his Mother and ours, to a humble, lonely widower. The engaging, simple story of Our Lady giving her picture to Juan Diego touches hearts and disposes them for the grace of Baptism. This is a special chapter in the evangelization of the world.
Today we find stirrings of new interest in the unchurched, the alienated, and the disenchanted. Faster travel and easier global communication portend a new fullness of time in spreading the gospel. Since the beginning, God has depended on His creatures to fulfill His plan. Today there is a desire for unity among Christians. The work of the Holy Spirit is uniting them in prayer, love, and works of charity....
Click here to read the complete article or here for a Spanish translation.
Marian Events
Father John Larson, MIC, Superior of the Marian House of Studies in Steubenville, Ohio, will tell why Divine Mercy is considered the message for our times. Hear a new presentation 7:00 p.m. each evening from February 28 - March 2, 2016 at Saint Mary Parish in Greenville, Ohio. Click here for details.
TOPMary in the Catholic Press
Mary is Honored to be our Mother, says Pope from Zenit (Mexico) February 13, 2016
Pope Francis celebrated Mass in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe this evening and then carried out his wish in coming to Mexico: to spend some time alone in prayer before her image.
The Holy Father entered a secure back room by which the image can be accessed, and the tilma was turned away from the main area of the basilica, so that he could face her.
The Pontiff presented her with a crown and a bouquet of yellow roses and then sat for about twenty minutes in visibly intense prayer. At the end, he rose to his feet and prayed for a few moments longer before touching the glass and departing from the room with his face showing his recollection....
Click here to read the complete article.
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.
A Floral Reflection of Jesus' Life (leaderpost.com/qc) March 5, 2014