May 23-26 marked the 74th year the Mariological Society of America (MSA) held its annual program, gathering scholars from across the United States and the world to discuss a yearly theme about the Blessed Virgin Mary. The annual location changes each year, and this year the society met in Cullman at the Benedictine Sisters retreat center. Father Edward Looney, president of the MSA told One Voice, “We were drawn to the legacy of Mother Angelica and with the current Eucharistic Revival in the United States, it made sense to hold our meeting near the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville.” Attendees of the event had the opportunity to tour the shrine property, visit Mother Angelica’s tomb, and celebrate Mass in the crypt church in addition to visiting the Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman.  

The 2023 program of the Mariological Society focused on the Collection of Marian Masses: Ordinary Time, the second in a two-year series. The Collection offers various votive Masses in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary that can be celebrated on Saturdays throughout the year in a parish or a shrine. Eleven presenters shared research and scholarship pertaining to several of the Masses, including Mother of Divine Hope, Help of Christians, Seat of Wisdom, Mother of Christian Unity, and Mediatrix of Grace. Bishop Joseph Perry, an auxiliary bishop of Chicago and episcopal moderator of the MSA delivered the keynote address providing his observations as a bishop about the Marian Masses. Bishop Raica joined the group for casual discussion about the Catholic Church in Alabama.  

The Mariological Society of America was founded in October 1949 by Father Juniper Carol, O.F.M., and has a membership of over 200 members who are either professional or associate members. The MSA looks forward to hosting its 2024 program in Seattle, Washington with the theme Mary at Vatican II.