Jesuit theologian Fr Marko Ivan Rupnik led a Marian symposium, entitled La fede professata dalla pietra (Faith Professed in Stone), at Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary hall between May 3 and 4.

Fr Rupnik of Slovenia, who is an artist who communicates faith through mosaic art, spoke three times in Italian. The theme of his contribution was the Mystery of Incarnation as the beginning of Christian art.

Fr Rupnik is the author of various spiritual books. He is known for his unique style of art, through which he brings forth the message of faith based on Sacred Scripture and Holy Tradition with a special emphasis on the beginning of iconography with its roots in Eastern Europe.

With a doctorate from the Faculty of Missiology at the Gregorian Pontifical University of Rome, he works at the Centro Aletti of Rome, of which he is director.

He is also professor at the Oriental Pontifical Institute in the Gregorian University and in the Pontifical Liturgical Institute of St Anselm. Fr Rupnik is also a member of the Pontifical Council for Culture.

His mosaic works are found in the Vatican, Lourdes, Fatima and in various churches in Italy, Spain, Romania, Damascus and the US. Fr Rupnik is also working on a mosaic project for Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary parvis.

The symposium was opened by Gozo Bishop Mario Grech. Also present was Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary rector Fr Gerard Buhagiar.