MARIAN STUDIES CENTER

The Marian Congress, under the Marian Studies Center (MSC) at Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU), is a regularly held workshop that gathers all groups and individuals, promulgating the Marian mission and activities in both Lebanon and across the Middle East and the region in countries such as Syria, Iraq, Jordan, the Holy Land, Egypt, and Cyprus. In many ways, the Congress is similar to the Marian International Congress organized by the Pontifical Academy of Mary in Rome, Italy.

Our Congress is one of the many activities the MSC engages in at the University, and we make all efforts to collaborate with everyone, working in the Marian field.

Although the MSC is part of NDU, the Congress exists under the patronage of the Maronite Church; thereby, expecting orientations and suggestions from Church prelates. For this reason, the Congress may also be labeled as a scholarly and ecclesiastical workshop.

Mgr. Michel Aoun,
Maronite Bishop of Byblos;
Fr. Abdo Antoun (OMM),
Director of the MSC at NDU;
Archpriest Antoine Michael,
Rector of the Seminary in Karm Sadde;
Fr. Younan Obeid (OL),
Rector of the Sanctuary of Our Lady in Harissa;
Fr. Samir Bechara (SJ),
Spiritual Director of the Lebanese League of Confraternities;
Nun Ghada Nehme,
(Rosary),
Miss Patricia Daccache,
Vice-President of the Association of the Children of Mary, Queen of Peace;
Ms. Rolande Salameh,
Social Worker, responsible for all matters involving the Marian Mission;
Mr. Richard Tannous:
Assistant to the MSC.

The main aim of these workshops is to focus on the New Evangelization with particular emphasis on the Marian figure given that the Virgin Mary is venerated above everyone. In addition, the Congress also tries to foster and strengthen the collaboration among those working in the Marian field. Given these ambitious aims, the Congress always has both basic and essential topics to discuss, during meetings with delegates such as:

The role of Our Lady in the Christian faith (individuals and groups);
Mary in the Christian Mission (laypersons and clergy);
The role of Mary in uniting the various Christian denominations;
The role of Mary in strengthening relations with non-Christians;
Finding viable links to promote more fluid dealings among all Marian associations.

The development of the Congress through a workable strategy relies on three main pivots:

:: Knowledge
It is necessary that everyone working in the Marian Mission knows one other. It is also necessary that every group must have common ground, which should based on three points:

:: Specific Figure
The differences among Marian groups are a gift from the Holy Spirit. Each community should be unique.

:: Collaboration
The central aim of the Congress focuses on gathering all Marian groups to discuss the possibility of future collaboration.

Through the way we work, we should be able to establish procedures that help us achieve good results and meet our aims. As such, we employ two basic principles:

Life Testimony: This is in fact repeating the goal mentioned above, which is creating opportunities for positive rapport among groups particularly in terms of the living faith and persevering in the Mission.
Decisions: The main aim of the Congress is to determine whether those involved in the Marian Mission would be interested in collaborating on a common project in countries around Middle East.

Previous Marian International Congress, organized by the Pontifical Academy of Mary in Rome, used two methodologies: Mariology and the Marian Conference. The first recommends referring to the scientific research and studies based on Biblical or patristic teachings; the second tries to manifest the role of the Holy Spirit, popular devotion, and the living faith. While we respect and apply both methodologies in our Congress, we also try to take it one step further by being proactive in implementing these philosophies on the practical level in order to strengthen our Marian group.