crtie !Marian Library 9\f!,ws{etter No. 52 (New Series) Winter 2006-'07 2006 Summer Program: The Marian Library/International members of secular institutes. Par­ Evening sessions were devoted Marian Research Institute sponsored ticipants came from twenty-five states to programs of Marian music, film, its first symposium - Living with Mary (USA), Korea, China, India, Venezu­ and art. The first evening featured a Today- July 26- 29, 2006. Suggested ela, and Brazil. The participants were program of Marian music, beginning three years ago by participants at the housed in the new Marianist Hall of with the eighth-century hymn Ave Maris International Marian Research Insti­ the University of Dayton, where, one Stella, sung with organ improvisations tute, the symposium was intended as night, they calmly responded, to the between the stanzas. The titles in the a way of sharing information on new amazement of bewildered students, as opening lines of Ave, Maris Stella fur­ developments in pastoral and academic a fire alarm required evacuation at 4:00 nished the divisions for the program of programs, in expressions of devotion, am. All sessions took place in the grand readings and music - Star of the Sea, and in cultural and artistic areas. The ballroom of Kennedy Union which was God's Beloved Mother, Ever-Virgin, program served as an updating on recent decorated with Marian art -provided Gate ofHeaven. publications, as well as an introduction by Michael Manning (Omaha), Ann The second evening's program cen­ to new C.lJrrents ofM::~ri:m cievoti0n and Bain (Dayton), John Lemker, S.M., and tered on several films- The Passion of culture. Donald Smith, S.M. (Dayton). Tables the Christ, the Gospel of John (2003), lining the walls displayed recent publi­ and the CNN Presentation "The Two cations, and Marian CDs were played Marys." The third evening's session during the program breaks. was an illustrated presentation on sacred Each day began with Marian art - its relation to spirituality, devo­ Morning Prayer, and the afternoon Mass tional images, and the way in which art reflected the intercultural atmosphere of serves as a synthesis of the Christian the gathering. The four morning ses­ message. sions were devoted to recent develop­ At the concluding banquet, the ments in biblical, doctrinal, liturgical, Marian Library Medal was conferred historical, catechetical, and ecumenical on Bro.William Fackovec, S.M., who areas. Ample time was allotted for has served as Librarian in the Marian discussion among the participants as Library since 1960. After a power-point well as for questions to the presenters. continued on page 6 Afternoon sessions dealt with Marian devotion at shrines, pilgrimages, par­ ishes, and the role of apparitions. Perhaps greatest interest was shown for reports on the implantation of Marian devotion in newer cultural settings. Fr. Denis Wiseman, O.P., re­ Michael Manning with his Marian art ported on ways in which African fam­ ily customs have influenced devotion. One hundred and thirty-six Fr. R. K. Samy, rector of the Shrine of participants from diverse backgrounds Vailankanni (India), spoke on the ways registered- teachers, directors of Mar­ Marian shrines attract non-Christians. ian shrines and continuing education Sr. Celia Chua outlined how traditional programs, catechists, religious sisters ancestor veneration has influenced Mar­ Bro. William Fackovec, S.M and bothers, graduate students, priests, ian devotion in China and Taiwan. the commandments, Christian virtues, renunciation, the Virgin The Hymns of Mary, the consecrated life. St. Louis was convinced that a song St. Louis Grh!nion de Montfort could convey a message and remain with people far longer than any sermon. You, preacher, in my songs Can find your homilies; I have digested their substance For your guidance and delight. Here are topics for meditation I believe I rightly claim, For often a verse, a line, Can communicate a truth . .. Know that a sacred hymn Illuminates and clears the mind, Chases all black humor from the heart And sets God firmly in remembrance. De Montfort is known for an intense and distinctive Marian devotion. Yet, similar to his writings, Marian references do not dominate the hymns. A hymn on the Eucharist states that Jesus instituted the Eucharist because he wished to remain with Mary: Jesus could not leave Mary An early edition of the works of St. Louis Grignion So strong the love which bound them. de Montfort contains a map of his mission-preaching routes in That is why, just before his death, France, together with an inscription noting the reasons for his He established the Eucharist, success in parish missions: the fire of his sermon, the force and So that after the Ascension, appeal of his hymns (cantiques -spirituelles) and his virtuous He could be her consolation here below. life. De Montfort's Collected Writings were published in De Montfort was an indefatigable writer of hymns, be­ English in 1987. At that time, it was considered "not expedient" ginning in the seminary and continuing through the sixteen years to translate all the hymns, possibly because of their colloquial of priestly ministry. Many of his two hundred hymns are long popular style. However, the fine article on "Hymns" in the Hand­ - some very long, with over a hundred stanzas. The hymns cover book ofSpirituali ty prompted requests for the translation. The almost as many pages as all of his prose works. work was undertaken by Fr. Patrick Gaffney, S.M.M., and his sis­ Few of these hymns would fit into today's category of ter, Sr. Rosemary Gaffney, D.W. Fr. Gaffney claims not a poetic "liturgical music." They were intended for the parish mission: translation, but "authentic fidelity to Montfort's text . not only Arise, dear brother, come, my friend, to each stanza but also, for the most part, to each line." Let us arise before the sun, Few examples of popular Catholic hymnody used for God calls us to his festival, parish missions in past centuries have survived. An interesting The Mission has begun! study would be a comparison of mission hymns with those from In the 18th·century parish mission, the mission preacher revival movements which were occurring at the same time. We chose - or composed - the hymns. Very long hymns may are grateful for this edition of the hymns of the irrepressible have been interspersed with exhortations. In contrast to hymns missionaire-chansonnier: written in the classical style, De Montfort's mission songs were I am ready, Jesus, my Lord, written in the language of the people, with a simple meter and To turn up preaching anywhere, rhyme, to be sung to a well-known and popular melody, some­ Supported by your power. times even to a tavern song. De Montfort contrasted the two Make me, Lord, your missionary; styles: Even though it has no income Your conceit and lofty style But only insults and rebuffs, Show well your shameless taste . .. I am content, content, dear Model. These are my poems and my songs: If they are not elegant, they are pure, If they flatter not the ear, God Alone II: The Hymns of St. Louis Marie de Montfort , They tell of great wonders. 2005 The hymns were didactic and exhortative, covering the God Alone: The Collected Writings of St. Louis Mary de themes to be treated in the mission- the Holy Trinity, the Cross, Montfort, 1988. Jesus Living in Mary: Handbook of the Spirituality of St. Louis Marie de Montfort. 1994. Montfort Publications, 26 South Saxon Avenue, Bay Shore, New York 11706- 8993. 2 ew <3at:holic Catechisms The Catechism ofthe Catholic Mary's relation to the Church Church (CCC), approved in 1992, was appears in several places: The Holy intended as a reference text, a resource Spirit made her Mother of the "whole for bishops and teachers of theology. Christ, that is, of Jesus the Head and Other versions were to follow. Recently, of the Church his body"(142). Mary and two new catechisms, both based on the the saints are models and intercessors CCC, have appeared: the Compendium ( 165). "Mary was present and aided ofthe Catechism ofthe Catholic Church, the Church at its beginning with her and from the American bishops, the prayers ... she continues to intercede Uni~ed States Catholic Catechism for for her children .... The faithful see in Adults. Mary an image and an anticipation of The Compendium, "a kind of the resurrection that awaits them .... vademecum for believers and unbeliev­ The Church contemplates in her what ers "was the work of a commission ap­ she herself is called to be on earth and pointed by John Paul II in 2003, headed what she will be in the homeland in by Cardinal Ratzinger, who, as Benedict heaven" (197 -199). XVI, approved the text in 2005. The There is a distinction between Compendium - in question-and-an­ prayer with and prayer to Mary: ". swer form- has several new features: The Church loves to pray to Mary and quotations from the saints, distinctive with Mary, the perfect 'pray-er,' and to religious art, and a section of Common 'magnify' and invoke the Lord with her" Prayers and Formulas of Doctrine. (562). Mary's prayer in the Magnificat Similar to the CCC, references and at Cana is "the song both of the to the Virgin Mary are not limited to Mother of God and of the Church, the one section but are integrated through­ joyous thanksgiving that rises from the out - Creed, Liturgy, Christian Life, hearts of the poor because their hope Prayer. Mary stands with Abraham is met by the fulfillment of the divine as the two "principal witnesses" (26) promises" (547). in Sacred Scripture to the obedience Works of art introduce the vari­ of faith.