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Mary in the News: Nov. 28, 2018

By Michael Duricy

Read recent items about Mary in both Catholic and secular news. Also, see International Marian Research Institute news and updates.

ML/IMRI Features

Marian Events

Mary in the Catholic Press

Mary in the Secular Press



Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute Features

Updates

2019 Annual Conference of the ESBVM-USA: Call for Papers (Press Release) September 9, 2018

The Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary, USA (ESBVM-USA) was formed by Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Orthodox, and Presbyterian Scholars and is open to all Christians.  The Society exists to advance the study of Mary, the Mother of Christ.  Our immediate goal is inter-ecclesial scholarship that focuses on Mary in light of Christian theological, biblical, and spiritual principles.  Furthermore, by means of shared study and prayer, we provide an opportunity for Christians of various denominational backgrounds to explore how Marian studies might contribute to the search for unity.

PROPOSAL DUE DATE: January 15, 2019

Conference Theme: Mary, Disciple of the Lord--Motherhood

Conference Dates: July 25-27, 2019

Conference Location: Misericordia University in Dallas, PA (just outside Wilkes-Barre)

Submission Guidelines and Requirements: The paper proposal should be in DOC or DOCX and must include:

Presentation title; your 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 and daytime telephone); abstract (350-500 words); and equipment needs.

The general theme for the 2019 ESBVM-USA Conference is: Mary, Disciple of the Lord: Motherhood.  This theme may be pondered using a variety of methods appropriate to your field of study, personal interests, and particular Christian tradition.  The following are some suggested topics to use for inspiration:

*  Explorations of Mary’s motherhood as gleaned from particular Scripture passages (Old Testament typologies and prophecies as well as New Testament texts);

*  A study of Mary’s motherhood as explored in the work of particular theologians and churchmen including the Early Church Fathers, Medieval Scholars, Protestant Reformers, and contemporary theologians;

*  Mary’s motherhood as it relates to and illuminates cultural and social justice issues; anthropological issues; sacramental theology; Christian anthropology; and/or soteriology;

*  Conclusions drawn from or about ecumenical dialogues on the subject of Mary’s motherhood;

*  Historical, systematic, scriptural, or ecumenical explorations of Mary’s motherhood as revealed by Marian titles such as Theotókos, Maria Lactans, or Mother of the Church and/or aspects of Mary’s motherhood enshrined in Marian dogmas;

*  Eastern and/or Western artistic depictions of Mary as mother of Christ, Christians, or the Church in the visual, literary and performing arts;

*  Liturgical texts, prayers and feast days in honor of Mary’s motherhood;

*  The role that Mary’s motherhood has played in Marian apparitions;

Please address your proposal for committee review to: Christopher M. Carr, Ph.D., ESBVM-USA, President at: ccarr@misericordia.edu.

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Mary in Media: Books, Films, Music, etc.

Pro-life book for Advent

Unborn Jesus, Our Hope is a meditation upon the hidden first nine months of Jesus' life, from the moment of conception within Mary's body to His birth in Bethlehem.  The author, George Peate, thoughtfully explores the glories, mysteries, and graces found in Jesus as He grows from fertilized ovum to newborn baby.  He extols how Mary's Fiat allowed her womb to become a Tabernacle housing the unborn Jesus, turning her body into a living temple.  Unborn Jesus, Our Hope is profoundly pro-life, showing how God absolutely values unborn babies and chose to become one Himself.

More Information

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From the Marian Treasure Chest

Brother John Samaha, S.M., sent us the text below with the following comment: "Thought for Advent, from Pope St. John Paul the Great"

Thought for Advent by Saint John Paul, the Great

The liturgy of Advent … helps us to understand fully the value and meaning of the mystery of Christmas.  It is not just about commemorating the historical event, which occurred some 2,000 years ago in a little village of Judea.  Instead, it is necessary to understand that the whole of our life must be an 'advent', a vigilant awaiting of the final coming of Christ. 

To predispose our mind to welcome the Lord who, as we say in the Creed, one day will come to judge the living and the dead, we must learn to recognize Him as present in the events of daily life.  Therefore, Advent is, so to speak, an intense training that directs us decisively toward Him who already came, who will come, and who comes continuously.

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Marian Events

Event: Conference of the Centre For Marian Studies

Theme:  Miraculous Conceptions: The Origins of Mary and Jesus in Theology and Story-Telling

Location: Saint Mary's University, Twickenham, London, U.K.

Date: Saturday, December 8, 2018 - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Speakers: Prof. Tom O'Loughlin, the Revd. Dr. Simon Gaine O.P., Dr. Catherine O’Brien, and Dr. Jacob Phillips

Including: A Marian-themed tour of St Marys University's historic campus and the opportunity to attend Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
£30 including sandwich lunch.  Reductions available: please ask.  

For further information, please contact:
Dr Catherine O’Brien
Director of the Centre for Marian Studies
Catherine.Obrien@Roehampton.ac.uk
Information and Registration

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Mary in the Catholic Press

Pope Francis Urges Preparation for Advent (Zenit) November 28, 2018

Pope Francis included a suggestion to the faithful at his November 28, 2018, General Audience in Paul VI Hall: Get ready for Advent.

"Next Sunday we will begin the liturgical season of Advent," the Holy Father said.  "Let us prepare our hearts to receive Jesus the Savior.  We acknowledge in Christmas Christ's encounter with humanity, especially that humanity which still today lives on the margins of society, in need and in suffering."

Francis also included: "A particular thought goes to young people, the elderly, the sick and newlyweds."

Complete article

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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.

Panama 2019 Logo Revealed (worldyouthday.com website) May 14, 2017

Ambar Calvo, a 20-year old college student at Panamá University, designed the logo for WYD Panamá 2019.  Selected from the logo contest convened by Pope Francis, Calvo's design is rich with Catholic symbolism.

Mary is at the center of the Panamá 2019 logo.  The crown of Mary has five points showing the five continents that will send pilgrims to WYD.  The Panama Canal stands out in the logo, both representing the host country's most famous landmark and symbolizing the path of the pilgrim who finds Mary on the way to meet Jesus.  The silhouette of the Panamanian Isthmus is meant to communicate a place of welcome.

The red Pilgrim Cross and the silhouette of the Virgin echo the theme of WYD 2019: "May it be done to me according to your Word."  The logo's silhouette has the shape of a heart and the letter 'M' to represent Mary as "Bridge of the World, Heart of the Universe," reminding us that the Blessed Mother is a bridge that leads us to Christ.

More Information

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