Primordial Sanctity: The Blessed Virgin in the Holy Koran Date: Wednesday 3 June 2026 Time: 3:00pm in the UK [9:00 US CT; 10:00 US ET; 16:00 Central Europe] Online via Zoom Miniature from an Islamic Falnama (dating from 1550-1600)* Theme A great Persian saint of Shiraz, Rūzbihān Baqlī (d. 1209) states in his mystical commentary on the Koran that the spiritual substance (jawhar) of Maryam is primordial sanctity (fiṭrat al-qudus). This talk will explore some aspects of this ide

The latest issue of Maria: A Journal of Marian Studies is now available to read online here: https://www.marianstudies.ac.uk/journal In the May issue of our journal, there are two papers that demonstrate our international readership. Chris Carr, who is due to become the next President of the Mariological Society of America, examines Elizabeth's greeting to Mary in the Visitation scene and considers how her words offer a message for Christian discipleship; and Matthew Green, a

Praying with Mary: The Book of Hours on the Eve of the English Reformation Date: Wednesday 13 May 2026 Time: 3:00pm (in the UK) [09:00am US CT; 10:00am US ET; 16:00 in Central Europe] Venue: Online via Zoom Theme What did ordinary Christians in late medieval England actually pray? In our May research seminar, the Rev’d Canon Dr Paul Rhys Williams will explore the Book of Hours - the most popular devotional book of the Middle Ages and a spiritual companion found in households

"Fragrance of Every Sweet Scent" Some Reflections on the Nature and Origins of Early Vernacular Marian Praise Lyrics in Italy DATE: Wednesday 15th April 2026 Time: 3:00pm in the UK [09:00am in US CT; 10:00 in US ET; 16:00 in Central Europe] Online via Zoom Madonna and Child (Duccio, c.1300) Theme In our April research seminar, Professor Brian Reynolds (Fu Jen University in Taiwan) will present a selection of the earliest lyric compositions in praise of the Virgin in the verna

"A Modern Controversy about Mary's Betrothal to Joseph" Date: 18th March 2026 Time: 3:00pm (in the UK) 10:00am in US CT; 11:00am in US ET (please note the daylight savings time difference in March) 16:00 in Central Europe Venue: Online via Zoom Espousal of Mary and Joseph (Holy Card by Jacques Gouppy, The Marian Library Collection) THEME The interpretation of Mary's betrothal in Luke 1

DATE: 28 February 2026 TIME: 2:00pm - 4:30pm in the UK [Beginning at 08:00am US CT; 09:00am US ET; 15:00 in Central Europe; 19:30 in Mumbai; 22:00 in Manila; 23:00 in Tokyo] Online via Zoom Join us for a fascinating seminar on the theme of Marian apparitions with three experts in the field. It's not too late to register. Chris Maunder , a retired senior lecturer formerly of York St John University, is the author of Our Lady of the Nations: Apparitions of Mary in 20 th Centur

“Sweet Mother and Militant Virgin: The Two Faces of Mary" Notre Dame, Paris, North Transept Portal Tympanum (detail) Date: Wednesday 11 February 2026 Time: 3pm in the UK [9am in Mexico and US CT; 10am in US ET; 4pm in France and Poland] Venue: Online via Zoom Theme In our February research seminar, Dr Patrizia Granziera will discuss how Mary is considered to be one of the most powerful symbols of Christianity. She is presented as the Theotokos, sitting on a throne holding Jes

DATE: Tuesday 3 February 2026 TIME: 7:00pm in the UK; 1:00 pm US CT; 2:00 pm US ET; 8:00 pm in France and Poland. Online via Zoom It is not too late to register for our Candlemas event, organised in memory of our late colleague Dr Cathy Oakes. We are honoured that our guest speaker is the eminent Art Historian Diane Apostolos-Cappadona, who will give an illustrated lecture entitled 'The Virgin Mary from the perspectives of women scholars: Anna Jameson, Marina Warner, and Mir

Marian iconography in the context of the Portuguese confraternities of Mercy DATE: WEDNESDAY 21st JANUARY 2026 TIME: 3:00pm - 4:30pm (in the UK and Portugal) VENUE: ONLINE VIA ZOOM Nossa Senhora da Misericórdia THEME In our January research seminar, Dr Joana Pinho will focus on the Portuguese Confraternities of Mercy or Misericórdias , which were institutions made up of lay people who pursued charitable and spiritual goals. The first was founded in Lisbon in 1498 by Queen Le

Happy New Year! We have a wide range of online presentations to look forward to in the coming months, and we hope you'll be able to join us. Please note that the schedule refers to the local time in the UK. 21st January 2026 (3pm): ‘ Marian iconography in the context of Portuguese confraternities of Mercy’ – Joana Balsa de Pinho (Artis - Institute of Art History, School of Arts and Humanities, University of Lisbon and Institute of the Patroness of Portugal for Mariology Stud

DATE: SATURDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2026 TIME: 2:00pm - 4:30pm (in the UK) ONLINE VIA ZOOM On 28th February 2026, we are holding a Saturday Seminar on the theme of Marian apparitions. The event will begin at 2pm in the UK (8:00am US CT; 9:00am US ET; 15:00 in France) We are delighted that three experts in the field have accepted the invitation to be our guest speakers. If you would like to receive the free Zoom link, please send an email to Catherine O'Brien at the following address:.

Dr Melanie Landman, who is one of the Trustees of the Centre for Marian Studies, is an anthropologist with expertise in the history of Black Madonnas. In December 2023, she took part in an investigation of that topic as part of the "Things Unseen" podcast with Liz Adekunle. Given the Christmas focus of the programme, we thought it was a good time to share the discussion with you in case you missed it when it was first broadcast. Here is the link: https://www.thingsunseen.co.u

3 February 2026 “The Virgin Mary from the perspectives of women scholars: Anna Jameson, Marina Warner, and Miri Rubin” An illustrated lecture on Marian Art by Professor Diane Apostolos-Cappadona Every year we organise a lecture around the time of Candlemas in memory of our late colleague Dr Cathy Oakes, who was an art historian with expertise in medieval Marian iconography. We are delighted to announce that our 2026 event will take place on Tuesday 3 February at 7pm GMT

A Walk on the Wild Side: Pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico City Date: Wednesday 10th December 2025 Time: 3:00pm to 4:30pm (in the UK) Venue: Online via Zoom THEME On 12th December every year tens of thousands of pilgrims descend upon the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, from every corner of the nation. Some come by car, truck or minibus, some on bikes but many make the journey on foot, crossing the 3400m high Paso de Cortes at the fo

We are very happy to let you know that Maria: A Journal of Marian Studies (Volume 5.2) is now available online: https://www.marianstudies.ac.uk/maria-new-series-vol-5-2-nov In this issue you will find impressive articles on 'The Immaculate Conception in the light of Kashmir Shaivism' by John Dupuche; and 'Marian Devotion as an Expression of the Self-Understanding and Public Face of the Church' by Sarah Jane Boss. It is always a pleasure to include book reviews and our lates

Did God create the world for Mary? Date: 19th November 2025 (Please note the revised schedule) Time: 3pm (in the UK) [09:00 in US CT; 10:00 in US ET; 16:00 in Belgium] Venue: Online via Zoom The Annunciation (Fr Angelico, 1440-45)* THEME The question of why there is something rather than nothing is one of the perennial and fundamental metaphysical questions. In our November research seminar, Dr Michaël Bauwens will present a philosophical exploration of how Mary might offer a

October Research Seminar Date: 22 October 2025 Time: 3:00pm (in the UK) [09:00am in US CT; 10:00am in US ET] Venue: Online via Zoom...

Our third series of Wednesday online seminars will begin in October 2025. We are delighted that so many international experts in Marian...

Registered Charity 1183579 Whether you are a theologian, teacher, student or simply have an interest in Marian Studies, you are very...

We are very pleased to let you know that the latest issue of Maria (5.1) is now available to read for free online:...