Blogs
Mary in the News: March 11, 2019
By Michael Duricy
Read recent items about Mary in both Catholic and secular news. Also, see International Marian Research Institute as well as Marian Library news and updates.
Marian Library and International Marian Research Institute Features
Updates
2019 Meeting of the Mariological Society of America
This years topic is: The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Call to Holiness. The meeting will convene May 14-17 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette Retreat Center in Attleboro, MA. We hope that you will be able to join us for lively discussions about the Blessed Mother.
You may find the brochure and registration form at the following links on the MSA website:
During this season of Lent, let us respond to our call to holiness and prepare to stand by the foot of the cross with Mary our Mother.
Mary in Media: Books, Films, Music, etc.
Mary, the greatest feminine reference in history
This week Father Alexandre Awi Mello, Schoenstatt Father and Secretary of the Dicastery of Laity, Family, and Life in the Vatican, visited Madrid. Father Alexandre participated on Friday, March 8, 2019, coinciding with Women’s Day, in the meeting that Madrimaná organized to understand the relevance of the Virgin Mary as the greatest feminine reference in history.
With the slogan--Ánimo, no tengéis miedo (Courage, don`t be afraid)--from March 7-16, Cinemas Mk2 Palacio de Hielo will host the VIII Muestra Internacional de Cine y Realidades que Inspiraná Madrimaná (VIII International Exhibition of Cinema and Realities that Inspire, Madrimaná). For ten days, the beauty of the faith can be contemplated in conferences, representations, concerts, and film screenings, with previews of Onyx, The Kings of the Grail (Thursday, March 7), The Child Who Could Have Been King (Saturday, March 9), The Song of Our Life (Thursday, March 14) or The Song of My Father (Saturday, March 16).
Among the programmed activities, a meeting with the Cardinal Archbishop of Madrid, Carlos Osoro, several young people, and several elderly people, on Friday March 15 at 9 pm, also will be outstanding, followed by a screening of the film, The Dreams’ Salesman, as well as a lecture by the secretary of the Dicastery of Laity, Family, and Life, Father Alexandre Awi Mello, on Mary, the greatest feminine reference, on Friday, March 8 at 9 pm.
In it, he will present his book: She is My Mother, published in 2014 in Portuguese (Loyola, Brazil) and translated into Spanish (2014, Patris, Argentina) into German (2017, Benno, Germany), English (2018, Saint Paul’s, India) and Italian (2018, Citta Nuova) in which Father Alexandre gathers his conversations with Pope Francis about his relationship with the Virgin Mary, from his childhood to becoming Bishop of Rome, his affection for her, his devotions and prayers. Then the Catholic singer-songwriter, Antonio Mata, will give a concert in which he will share his themes, as well as his experience of faith.
Father Alexandre Awi Mello will celebrate the evening Mass on Saturday afternoon, March 9, at the Serrano Shrine.
From the Marian Treasure Chest
Brother John Samaha, S.M., sent us the text below with the following comments: "Saint Joseph is our father in faith and head of the Holy Family. Honor this father."
Saint Joseph, Our Constant Companion by Brother John Samaha, S.M.
" … with blessed Joseph, her spouse …" Since Pope Francis added these words to all Eucharistic Prayers, we now honor Saint Joseph at each Mass and more frequently invoke the intercession of the Spouse of Mary and Guardian of the Redeemer. In this God-given role, the Head of the Holy Family is also Protector of the Universal Church and the constant companion of each of us, even though he is often over looked.
Like Joseph the patriarch in the Book of Genesis, Saint Joseph--silent, wise, discerning--interpreted dreams and responded to God's revelation to execute an important role in salvation history. When the hungry Egyptians begged Pharaoh for food in a time of famine, Pharaoh directed them to "go to Joseph; do what he tells you." (Genesis 41:55). That same admonition reminds us that in the same way we can turn to St. Joseph for the help we need.
Marian Events
Title: Lent 2019
Theme: Presentation from the University of Dayton's Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute (IMRI)
Date: Saturday, March 16, 2019
Time: 9:00 a.m. - Noon
Location: Piqua Catholic School, 503 W. North Street, Piqua, Ohio 45356
Dr. Gloria Falcao Dodd is the Director of Academic Programs at the International Marian Research Institute, University of Dayton, where she received her doctorate in sacred theology. She teaches and administers the pontifical degree programs for the License of Sacred Theology and the Doctorate of Sacred Theology. She speaks regularly on the Marian Studies and Spirituality series on Radio Maria. Her publications include regular articles in the Missio Immaculatae International magazine and her book, The Virgin Mary,
Mediatrix of All Grace.
This presentation is sponsored by the Adult Faith Formation team and will be held in the campus cafeteria. Registration with continental breakfast will run from 9-9:30 when the talk will begin. Admission is free, though free-will donations are welcome. To register call 937-773-1327 or 937-773-1656. Walk-ins are welcome.
Mary in the Catholic Press
The Betrothal of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Saint Joseph is Tied to Protection of Unborn Children, Marriage, and Family (Zenit) March 12, 2018
January 22 is the day the Catholic Church in America sets aside all else and joins in prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. Traditionally, in the pre-1955 Church calendar, this day was set aside to honor the Betrothal of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Saint Joseph. Today, the Mass for this feast is still celebrated by some religious orders using the Latin rite.
This is such a beautiful thing for the Church to do. By simultaneously joining together the Day of Prayer for the Unborn with Roe v. Wade and the Betrothal of Our Lady, it heralds the beauty of motherhood, and it trumpets the profound, spiritual importance of marriage and family....
It is hard to even imagine a better husband or father than a simple carpenter named Joseph. He is an example for all mankind.
We ask the Most Holy Family to pray for all the unborn and children everywhere.
Mary in the Secular Press
Distinction for Father Rómulo Aguilar, National Coordinator of World Youth Day 2019 (schoenstatt.org website) March 7, 2019
Father Rómulo Aguilar, pastor of San Francisco de la Caleta in Panama City, a parish with its wayside shrine that was "home" for Schoenstatt Youths during World Youth Day, received the keys to the city from Panama's mayor for his work as a WYD organizer. Visibly moved, Father Romulo, the first Schoenstatt Diocesan Priest in Panama, received the distinction.
Father Rómulo D. Aguilar received the "Key to the City" award from Mayor José Blandón Figueroa in recognition for his valuable and outstanding work as pastor and spiritual leader of the Panamanian Church, and his invaluable contribution to the success of World Youth Day (WYD) 2019 in Panama. "I did not expect it; this has been a tremendous surprise for me, and I am not worthy, but well, if the Lord wanted it so, so be it.... The desire was for Panama to be remembered as it is, at the top, with a name not only in the Vatican, but all over the world," said Father Aguilar, who had the honor of thanking Pope Francisco in a meeting with the volunteers, the final act of WYD 2019....