Mary in History and Theology

Fr. Michael Patella, O.S.B.

Who is Mary? Where was she born, where did she live, where did she end her days? A person asking this question today is no different from Christians living about 2000 years ago. Unfortunately, they had very few if any records providing precise details, and people today have even fewer; the eye-witnesses are long gone, and they did not write down much. As a result, a great deal of what we know about the Blessed Mother is simply a matter of faith and legend. Should that be a problem for contemporary Christians seeking clarification of the Church's teachings? And why should Mary get so much attention, anyhow? Through a historical and theological analysis of Mary, this presentation seeks to construct an understanding of Mary that draws heavily from the Tradition and moves it into the twenty-first century.

 

Father Michael Patella, OSB, was the chair of the Committee on Illumination and Text for The Saint John's Bible.  He is Professor of New Testament at the School of Theology and Seminary at Saint John's University, where he also serves as the seminary rector and director of its Holy Land Studies program.  As a New Testament scholar he has written in the area of Luke-Acts, Paul, Mark, and angelology.  His work, Word and Image: the Hermeneutics of The Saint John's Bible, addresses the theology, art, and interpretation of The Saint John's Bible.  Father Michael is a member of the Catholic Biblical Association of America.

Dates & Locations

Friday, December 5 - 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Emmaus Hall, 31802 County Road 159, Collegeville 56321

Friday, January 30 - 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Emmaus Hall, 31802 County Road 159, Collegeville 56321

Thursday, April 9 -  6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Church of St. Mary, 421 Hawthorne Street, Alexandria 56308

Thursday, May 7 - 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Basilica of St. Mary, 88 N. 17 Street, Minneapolis 55403

Friday, February 13 - 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., The Community of the Blessed Sacrament, 11300 North 64th Street, Scottsdale, Arizona

 

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Theology Day is a chance for people in our communities who are seeking a deeper understanding of their faith and its place in their everyday lives to learn from and interact with the theologians of Saint John's School of Theology·Seminary. It offers a chance for these scholars to gain insights and grow in their faith, as well.

There is no fee for Theology Day, but registration is required.  Free-will offerings and gifts to support the mission of the School of Theology·Seminary are gratefully accepted.

 

For more information, contact our Development Office at 320-363-3570 or [email protected].

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