Ta’ Pinu National Shrine, in collaboration with the Gozo Diocese, the Pontifical Theological Faculty ‘Marianum’ of Rome and the Italian Interdisciplinary Mariological Association, is holding an international Mariological-Marian symposium entitled ‘Mother of the Church and within the Church: Bible, Liturgy, Theology, Pastoral Activity’ on Friday at Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary in Gozo.
The symposium will open at 5.30pm with a moment of prayer in the sanctuary, followed by a conference at 6pm, addressed by Rev. Denis M. Lulandaismay, president of the Pontifical Theological Faculty ‘Marianum’ of Rome and resident professor of Sacred Scripture with a licentiate in Holy Scripture and a doctorate in theology with specialisation in Mariology.
The conference, to be conducted in English, will be themed ‘The Biblical Texts about ‘Mater Ecclesiae’ in Popes Paul VI, John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis’.
On Saturday, a conference addressed by Rev. Luca di Girolamo, resident professor of theological anthropology and fundamental theology at the Pontifical Theological Faculty ‘Marianum’ in Rome, will be held at 9am. Rev. Girolamo has a doctorate in literature and philosophy and a doctorate in dogmatic theology.
The conference, to be conducted in Italian, will focus on ‘The title‘Mater Ecclesiae’: theological and pastoral aspects’.
At 10.30am Rev. Salvatore M. Perrella, president of the Italian Interdisciplinary Mariological Association (AMI), will address a conference in Italian on ‘Mater Ecclesia: from the solemn proclamation (1964) to the liturgical commemoration (2108)’. Rev. Perrella is ordinary professor of dogmatic theology and mariology in the Pontifical Theological Faculty ‘Marianum’ of Rome and professor of Introduction to Theology in the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery in the Polyclinic ‘Agostino Gemelli’ in Rome.
There will be interventions in the hall between 11.30am and noon.
These will be followed by a panel discussion on ‘The Marian sanctuary: the meeting place’, a conclusive reflection by Gozo Bishop Mario Grech at 5.30pm and Mass at the sanctuary presided by Mgr Grech.
For more information and to book a place, call Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary on 2155 6187 or send an e-mail to rector@tapinu.org.