Blogs
In the News: Sept. 12, 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
Call for Papers for the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary--USA
ESBVM-USA July 2017 Conference Call for Papers
The Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary USA (ESBVM USA) exists to advance the study of Mary, the Mother of Christ, in Christian biblical and spiritual perspectives, and in the light of such study, to promote ecumenical interchange and prayer. Its aim is to show that in Mary, Christians of many traditions may find a focus in their search for unity. The ESBVM was formed by Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Orthodox, and Presbyterian Scholars and is open to all Christians.
PROPOSAL DUE DATE: December 1, 2016
Conference Theme: "Mary, Disciple of the Lord: Prayer and Holiness"
Conference Dates: July 12 – 15, 2017 (Wed. evening through Sat. morning).
Conference Location: Misericordia University in Dallas, PA (near Scranton)
Submission Guidelines and Requirements:
The paper proposal should be in DOC or DOCX and must include:
- Presentation Title
- Presenter's name, professional affiliation (e.g., university or church name), and status (undergrad, grad. student, Ph.D. candidate, faculty, pastor, etc.)
- Contact information (e-mail address, daytime telephone)
- Abstract (350-500 words)
- Equipment needs.
The overall theme for the conference is "Mary, Disciple of the Lord: Prayer and Holiness." This theme may be approached through a variety of avenues appropriate to your field of study, interests, and particular Christian tradition. The following are some suggestions for different scriptural, systematic, anthropological, liturgical, artistic or historical approaches to help get you started. This is not an exhaustive list, so please feel free to add to it.
Scriptural study of Mary's "pondering" in Luke 2:19 or the Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55
Historical or systematic study of writings by the Early Church Fathers on Mary and prayer, holiness, and the interior life
Historical study of Mary as a model of prayer and holiness in a particular tradition, such as Anglicanism
The thoughts of Protestant reformers on Mary as a holy example
Contemporary developments in Protestant thought and practice regarding Mary as an example of holiness for Christians, new Lutheran Marian feast days, or ecumenical Marian celebrations such as those at the shrine in Walsingham, England on the Feast of the Assumption
Commentary on a particular contemporary theologian or author who wrote about Marian prayer and/or Mary as an example of holiness
The theology of particular Marian prayers
Marian references in the liturgy
Mary as teacher of prayer and advancement in the interior life for contemporary society
Mary's holiness as portrayed in the visual, performing, or literary arts
Please submit proposals to the review committee at Maura.hearden@desales.edu.
TOPMary in Media: Books, Films, Music, etc.
New Translation of Bossuet's Classic Book on Mary
Sophia Institute Press has published a new translation of Meditations on Mary written by French Bishop, Jacques-Benigne Bossuet, in the seventeenth century. Click here for more information on this and other Marian books from Sophia Press.
From the Marian Treasure Chest
Brother John M. Samaha, S.M., sent us the text below along with the following comments: "September 12 is the feast of the Holy Name of Mary. Blessings for this feast honoring the Mother of God and our Spiritual Mother!"
The Holy Name of Mary by Brother John M. Samaha, S.M.
Mary was a common name among the Hebrews because it recalled the memory of Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron. For this reason some scholars think this name is related to an old Egyptian word meaning beloved. This understanding certainly fits Mary of Nazareth. She was so beloved by God that she was always in the right relationship with Him. Out of love God chose her to be the mother of Jesus. Love is about the whole person, the entirety of her being, one whose very name is beautiful.
Every September 12 we honor the Holy Name of Mary in our liturgical calendar. St. Bonaventure prayed, "Your name, Mary, cannot be spoken devoutly without bringing with it some grace." We honor Mary's name because it is a sacrament of the person. To know Mary's name is to know her. To speak her name with reverence is to be familiar with her who was most familiar with God. In some Asian countries she is known by names that mean one who hears our cries.
May we always honor the name of Jesus' mother and our spiritual mother. When in need, call on Mary.
Click here for information about this feast in French.
TOPMarian Events
Mary, Mother of Mercy Celebration [With Historic Visit of the International Pilgrim Virgin of Our Lady of Fatima Statue to Milwaukee]
Date: Sunday, October 7, 2016
What: Holy Mass: Archbishop Jerome Listecki Principal Celebrant and Homilist
Details: 5:30 pm Church doors open; 6:45 pm Presentation on the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue; 7:00 pm Holy Mass with Archbishop Jerome Listecki
Sponsored by the John Paul II Center for the New Evangelization of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and the Rosary Evangelization Apostolate
Click here for more information [in PDF, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader].
Mary in the Catholic Press
Scottish Youth Stand Up for Religious Freedom from Zenit June 17, 2016
More than 1,000 young people from across Scotland took part in a youth rally Thursday, standing shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with those who are persecuted and oppressed for their religious faith. The event, involving twenty-six Catholic schools, was organized by the Scottish office of Aid to the Church in Need, a Catholic charity for persecuted and oppressed Christians. The focus of the day in Carfin Grotto, Motherwell, was to raise awareness, encourage prayer, and take action in support of the persecuted Church....
Click here to read the complete article [which includes a photo of a statue of Our Lady of Fatima being carried in procession).
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.
Mercy, A Chance for Life: A Five-week Online Retreat (Press Release) September 2, 2016
Given the success of the online retreats entitled, Source of Living Water and In the Heart of the World, which have been available since 2015 on the Congrégation de Notre-Dame website, Sister Marie Azzarello and Sister Rachel Gaudreau are back! As this Jubilee Year of Mercy draws to a close, the online retreat Mercy, A Chance for Life invites us to take time to become more conscious of God's tender mercy in our lives. The new online retreat will be launched on September 25 with new content added throughout the five-week period. Once the retreat is completed, it will permanently remain on the Congrégation de Notre-Dame's website for retreatants to return to or to experience at a time best suited to them. Participants are welcome to write to Sister Marie and Sister Rachel.
The retreat, Mercy, A Chance for Life, offers writings and reflections of Marie and Rachel, of Pope Francis and other authors, and invites us to look into our lives and contemplate God. Like the vinedresser and the seemingly barren fig tree (Lk 13:1-9), God wants to give us another chance to bear fruit. The mandalas created by Rachel will also enrich our reflection. The word mandala means "circle." To enter within the circle of the mandala inspired by the Word of God will nourish the reflection and help us access our fruitfulness so that we may better answer the call to our mission. We wish you a pleasant journey.
Information:
Les Soeurs de la Congrégation de Notre-Dame
2330 Sherbrooke Street West
Montreal, QC H3H 1G8
www.cnd-m.org
www.heritagecnd.org
Source:
Stéphanie Manseau,
Director of Communication Services
Congrégation de Notre-Dame
Telephone: (514) 931-5891 ext. 236
Email: smanseau@cnd-m.org