'In Quest Of The Jewish Mary' -- Lessons in Faith and Devotion from the Jewish Roots of the Mother of Jesus; Published by Orbis Books -- Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers
MARYKNOLL, N.Y., Feb. 12, 2013 /
Christian Newswire/ -- In the spirit of the ongoing search for the historical Jesus, "In Quest of the Jewish Mary" takes a fresh look at the mother of Jesus in history, theology and spirituality. Author Mary Christine Athans, a member of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, excavates beneath centuries of devotional reflection and artistic depictions that often present a mythologized Mary that is detached from history and from Mary's specific Jewish identity.
"[Readers] will come away with a renewed appreciation not only of Mary, the Jewish mother of Jesus, but of the history of the Catholic Church and its relations with Jews and with other Christians," writes Eugene J. Fisher in the book's foreword. Dr. Fisher is the executive secretary of the Secretariat for Catholic-Jewish Relations of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.
"In Quest of the Jewish Mary" is published by Orbis Books, the publishing division of the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers. In the book, the author draws on the latest historical research and the fruits of post-Vatican II Jewish-Christian dialogue, along with the insights of feminist theology and contemporary spiritual reflection, to rediscover the Jewish Mary.
Sister Mary Christine Athans is professor emerita at the Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity of the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. Presently, she is an adjunct professor at Loyola University Chicago and the Catholic Theological Union. Sister Mary Christine will speak about the Jewish Mary at the Maryknoll Mission Center in Ossining, New York, on Sunday, March 10, at 2:30 p.m. Information and directions can be found at
www.maryknollsociety.org.
Founded during 1970, Orbis Books endeavors to publish works that enlighten the mind, nourish the spirit and challenge the conscience. Orbis seeks to explore the global dimensions of Christian faith and mission, to invite dialogue with diverse cultures and religious traditions, and to serve the cause of reconciliation and peace. Learn more at www.orbisbooks.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/#!/orbisbooks.
The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers follow Jesus in serving the poor and others in need in 28 countries that include the U.S. All Catholics are called to mission through baptism and confirmation, and Maryknoll’s mission education outreach in parishes and schools throughout the country engages U.S. Catholics in mission through vocations, prayer, donations and as volunteers. Maryknoll missioners share God’s love and the Gospel in combating poverty, providing healthcare, building communities and promoting human rights. For more information, visit the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers at maryknollsociety.org and follow them on Twitter at twitter.com/MaryknollNews.
