Blogs
In the News: Jan. 9, 2017
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
ESBVM-USA July 2017 Conference Call for Papers Has Extended The Due Date!
Good news! For those who are interested in presenting at the ESBVM USA July 2017 conference, but have not had the time to put a proposal together, the submission deadline has been extended.
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: January 31, 2017
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 format and must include:
1. Presentation Title
2. Presenter's name, professional affiliation (e.g., university or church name), and status (undergrad, grad. student, Ph.D. candidate, faculty, pastor, etc.)
3. Contact information (e-mail address, daytime telephone)
4. Abstract (350-500 words)
5. 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 Film about the Holy Family
Joseph and Mary is a biblical drama that follows Elijah, a devout Rabbi, during a time of unrest when King Herod the Great's slaughter of innocent lives claims the lives of two boys Elijah had sworn to protect. Elijah is determined to avenge their deaths, but when he meets Joseph, Mary, and their young son Jesus, he begins to doubt the beliefs fueling his revenge. When the time comes to face his lifelong enemy, Elijah finds himself warring within himself on whether to kill or choose forgiveness. Click here to read a review, here to watch the official two-minute trailer, or here to order a DVD copy.
From the Marian Treasure Chest
Brother John Samaha sent us the text below with the following comments: "Are we the extended shadow of Chaminade, his billboards?"
Billboards for Chaminade by Brother John Samaha, S.M.
Marianists are called to be billboards for Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, our father in consecrated religious life.
How much do you know about Joseph (the name he preferred) Chaminade? How familiar are you with him? Are you still learning about him? Do you welcome opportunities to talk about him and to explain him to others?
Generally we know well the basic information of our natural family members. We know about prominent persons in the news--facts about political figures and sports figures and others. All the more should we be familiar with the details of the lives of our Founder and Marianist saints.
We tend to talk about subjects we like and persons we admire. How much do we know about the life and works of Chaminade and his cause for canonization. For what is he noted? What is the status of his canonization process? What's our level of Marianist family pride? What DO we do? What CAN we do? Obviously we need to do more.
Generally we get what we deserve in life. Progress simply does not happen without our effort. If Chaminade and his cause are not well known, we are partially responsible. We need to work with God and with each other to produce results.
What can we do individually and communally? What are our Marianist Family responsibilities? We are expected to cultivate interest in our Founder and his cause, to expand our interest and understanding, to look for opportunities to explain and to respond to questions.
Let us rise to the challenge to learn more and to spread the word. Let us be billboards for Blessed William Joseph Chaminade.Marian Events
Event: Holy Fools and Wonderworkers: Saints of the Orthodox Faith
Date: November 19, 2016 - February 26, 2017
Place: Museum of Russian Icons, 203 Union Street, Clinton, Massachusetts 01510
Visit the largest collection of Russian icons in North America. Please be aware that this museum has many Marian icons.
Mary in the Catholic Press
Angelus of Pope Francis: On the Feast of the Epiphany (Zenit) January 6, 2017
Dear Brothers and Sisters, good morning! Today we celebrate the Lord's Epiphany, namely, the manifestation of Jesus, who shines as light for all peoples. Symbol of this light, which shines in the world and wishes to illuminate the life of each one, is the star that guided the Magi to Bethlehem. The Gospel says that they saw "His star" (Matthew 2:2) and chose to follow it: they chose to be guided by Jesus' star.
And how can this divine light be found? Let us follow the example of the Magi, which the Gospel describes as ever in movement. In fact, he who wants light comes out of himself and seeks: he does not remain closed, still, to look at what happens around him, but brings his own life into play; he comes out of himself. Christian life is a continuous journey, made of hope, and made of seeking; a journey that, like that of the Magi, also continues when the star disappears momentarily from sight. On this journey there are also snares that must be avoided: superficial and worldly gossip that halt the step; paralyzing whims of egoism; the holes of pessimism, which trap hope. These obstacles blocked the Scribes, of whom today's Gospel speaks. They knew where the light was, but did not move. When Herod asked them: "Where is the Messiah to be born?" "At Bethlehem" [they answered]. They knew where, but did not move. Their knowledge was vain: they knew so many things, but for nothing; everything was vain. It is not enough to know that God is born, if one does not birth Him in the heart. God is born, yes, but is He born in your heart? Is He born in my heart? Is He born in our heart? And so, like the Magi, we will find Him with Mary, Joseph, in the star....
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.
Christmas in Malawi (University of Dayton Magazine) Winter 2016-17
They each carry an offering--a goat, a drum or a bunch of bananas balanced on the head--to celebrate the birth if Jesus. These hand-carved figures, which traveled from Malawi to the University of Dayton, are part of a massive, intricate, 29-piece Nativity featuring native African woods. Baby Jesus measures 10 inches long and is carved from the tawny wood of the Mdima tree, while an 18-inch figure offering a basket of nuts is made of the reddish Blugamu wood. Matt Maroon '06 commissioned the Nativity from the Kungoni Center of Culture and Art at the Catholic Mua Mission in Malawi.
Maroon, who founded the nongovernmental organization Determined to Develop in Malawi, visited campus in October to talk with students and present the crèche to President Eric Spina, to whose presidency Maroon dedicated the artwork. The crèche, photographed as displayed on an 8-foot table, will greet guests to the president's residence this holiday season. More crèches can be viewed as part of the annual At the Manger Marian Library exhibition at Roesch Library through January 8, 2017.