Blogs
In the News: Nov. 14, 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
Reminder about the 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.
Mary's House in Ephesus, Turkey: Interfaith Pilgrimage in the Age of Mass Tourism by Dr. Amelia Gallagher
Father Timothy Sauppe recently sent us the link to a lengthy article which includes several photos about the House of Mary in Ephesus from DePaul university. Click here to view online.
From the Marian Treasure Chest
Asian-Oceania group at PAMI congress in Fatima, Portugal (September 5 to 12, 2016) by Sister Celia Chua, STL, Associate Professor, IMRI, U.D., USA
Some recent statistics given for the FABC (2015):
Asia, composed of 64 countries, is the home of Hinduism (25 %) Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism (Daoism), Shintoism, and other popular religions. About 1.1 billion in Islam, 3% Catholics 9% Protestants: about 12% Christians.
Two-thirds of humanity live in Asia: 4.5 billion
Some Challenges:
Soteriology, vision of a new society, humanity taking into account the historical, economic, religious, and cultural realities. What is the significant of Fatima's messages to Asian peoples?
The New Evangelization in Asia is based on:
- Theology from below ... people's experiences of Jesus in humanity, hopes and despair, the only saviors.
- To encourage narration, parables, using symbols, methodologies in teaching (teachers of faith). Ref. May 2010
- Three shepherd children were taught by Our Lady on how to pray:
I adore, I love you by bowing down to the ground (Islamic way),
Peace, respect of differences, i.e. all faiths.
Faith believers and conversion cannot have its identity without God.
In the spiritual sense, conversion in Portuguese is to do penance.
Hope for Asia and the World is to turn to God, metanoia, Jean Paul II, 1996.
To do something beautiful for God (St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta, 2016)
Fatima messages lead to the fulfillment of God's plan of salvation (Cardinal Ratzinger) Ref. I Peter, to reach out for salvation is the center of human life, unity and orientations in life ... graces from the Holy Spirit, interiority, having attitude of wisdom and discernment to choose the good rather than evil, also the attitude of heart (Immaculate heart of Mary will triumph) going back to God (destiny and dignity of being Children of God) ... return with a childlike heart: Pure and Immaculate. Heart is the center life of a human person!
To Love and love for God, Our Lady opened the hearts of the three children to universal love for humanity. Calling them to pray for sinners, to do penance and sacrifices.
Conclusion:
The mission of Love and Service in the context of Asia (interreligious dialogue), is a way of new evangelization. The significance of Our Lady's messages for today is an invitation to become a new creation in Christ, a model of purity and motherhood in harmony, in healing and renewal, conversion and prayers: attentive listening and appreciation of human values, (Vatican II). These are Christian concepts of Human dignity and responsibility of peoples and creation. Indeed, a call to a personal experience and transformative process in the year of Mercy and the centennial of the apparition in Fatima, Portugal. Indeed, an actualized Mariology-Theology for humanity.
* This is a summary of some highlights delivered at the workshop by six Asian-Oceania Mariologists, PAMI Congress, September 2016, Fatima, Portugal. Two graduates from IMRI, namely, Sisters Isabell Neumann (Australia) and Celia Chua, three from the Marianum in Rome, namely, Sister Luka Maria Oka (Japan), Father Denis K., (India) Servite, professor at the Marianum, Father Yulito Ignacio (Philippines), Doctoral candidate at the Marianum, and Father John, OFM from India, a candidate for the doctorate at the Antonianum in Rome.
TOPMarian Events
Dayton Film Screening Event (Saint Joseph Church Bulletin) October 30, 2016
A few years ago, the independent film, The Triumph, was screened in the area and was a big success. Now, from the same Director, comes a new feature film called Apparition Hill about an unlikely group of pilgrims who journey to the little-known village of Medjugorje. Three screenings are available at The Neon: Monday, November 21, 2016 at 7:30 pm; Thursday, December 8, 2016 at 7:30 pm; and Monday, December 12, 2016 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $10 each and available online only at http://www.4Mary.org/movies.html. All proceeds benefit the 4Mary Youth Pilgrimage to Fatima in 2017. For more information contact info@4Mary.org by email.
TOPMary in the Catholic Press
Pope's Program for Georgia, Azerbaijan (Zenit) July 12, 2016
Below is the Vatican released program, detailing Pope Francis' apostolic visit to Georgia and Azerbaijan, Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, 2016:
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The Pope will leave from Rome's Fiumicino airport at 9 a.m., and is scheduled to arrive at Tbilisi international airport at 3 p.m., where the welcome ceremony will be held.
Following a courtesy visit to the the president of the Republic in the presidential palace, and an encounter with the civil authorities and diplomatic corps in the courtyard, the Holy Father will meet with His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, Catholicos and Patriarch of all Georgia, in the Palace of the Patriarchate.
His first day in Georgia will conclude with a meeting with the Assyrian-Chaldean community in the Chaldean Catholic Church of St. Simon the Tanner.
Saturday, 1 October
The Pope will celebrate holy Mass in the M. Meskhi stadium, followed by a meeting with priests and men and women religious in the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin. He will then meet with the Church's charity workers and those they assist outside the Camillian aid center, followed by a visit to the Svietyskhoveli Patriarchal Cathedral of Mskheta....
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.
Visitors at Estonian National Museum offered chance to kick Virgin Mary's image (pravoslavie.ru/english/ website) October 3, 2016
The National Museum which opened in Estonia in the presence of President Toomas Hendrik Ilves last week, is offering its visitors to kick one of the exhibits, an interactive image of Virgin Mary, causing the picture to fall into pieces.
The virtual painting has been criticized by a number of politicians, entrepreneurs and parliamentarians in the Postimees newspaper. Thus, according to Priit Sibul, who chairs the parliamentary faction of the ruling Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica, "kicking an image of the Mother of God is something they did in the Soviet cultural space but would not demonstrate in public."
Meanwhile, the chairman of the parliamentary opposition Conservative People's Party, Mart Helme, warned against a particularly negative reaction in the Russian-speaking community where religious traditions are especially strong....
Click here to read the complete article.