Mary: Sign of Faith

(Vatican Radio) Mary, sign of faith (and only Hope) is the title of an International symposium opening in Rome this week. The 2-day symposium coincides with the beginning of the Year of Faith and the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelisation and the 50^th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council. Speakers at the event will be exploring the role of Mary in our history, our culture and her significance to the world at large.

One of the co-organisers is Dr Edmund Mazza, Professor at Azusa Pacific University in Los Angeles who spoke to Vatican Radio's Susy Hodges. Mazza says "in these times we are living, Mary has a very critical role to play in bringing souls to Jesus and fighting evil." He also notes that her appeal is not confined to the Catholic Church and says that although this is not widely known, Martin Luther and some other leaders of the Reformation "actually had a personal devotion to Mary."

Another participant at the symposium is Leonie Caldecott, co-editor of the England and Ireland edition of the magazine, Magnificat who also spoke to Susy Hodges. Caldecott says that as the Church prepares to celebrate the anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, this is "a good opportunity to reappraise the significance of Mary" and her crucial role within the Church. Mary, she continues, "is a reminder of the sacramental heart of the Church."

Listen to the extended interview with Edmund Mazza and Leonie Caldecott: