KENYA: New Book Focuses on Mary’s Role in Salvation History, Model for African Women
Fr. Vincent Mrio Author of the book; The Handmaid of the Lord. Credit: Capuchin TV
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
“I developed deep faith in praying the Rosary right from childhood without knowing its benefits or consequences but I realized whatever I needed and asked for, I could receive,” the author of a newly launched book titled, “The Handmaid of the Lord: Mariology from its Doctrinal and African Perspectives” shared with AMECEA Online hours after the launch on Tuesday, May 18, as he recounts the origin of his love for the Blessed Virgin Mary the mother of Jesus.
According to the author Fr. Vincent Mrio, the book which helps to deepen understanding on the key role of the mother of Christ in salvation history, seeks to bridge the gap between “devotion and theology.”
“I realized that some Catholics do not know the difference between devotion and adoration, most of us are devotees and we lack theology,” Fr. Mrio a lecturer of Dogmatic Theology at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) Eldoret Campus said during the Tuesday interview and explained, “There is need to harmoniously combine the two aspects knowing that theology needs devotion and vice versa, hence devotion goes down to earth to practice the faith we have learnt from theology.”
The cleric who is the former rector of St. Charles Lwanga Major Seminary in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania emphasized that when God sent Angel Gabriel to Mary, he introduced the Holy Spirit and Mary conceived becoming the mother of Jesus the second person of the Holy Trinity.
“So, the intercession we make is through the Blessed Virgin Mary and she is not the source of grace but God,” Fr. Mrio disclosed and continues, “Mary is full of grace because of her holiness but all graces come from God through Jesus Christ.”
The Tanzanian cleric during the launch which was televised on Capuchin Television delved into the four dogmas of Mary highlighting on her as the Mother of God, her Perpetual Virginity (before, during and after the birth of Jesus), her Immaculate Conception, and her Assumption into Heaven.”
According to the author, the inspiration to publish the book whose manuscript he started in 2006, was realized when serving as a rector that seminarians, Religious, clergy, bishops and the faithful have problems with the doctrines concerning Mary, “and there is need to transmit this knowledge to the people and balance our faith.”
The priest recommends that the new publication be used as a text book in all major seminaries and houses of religious formation to equip the seminarians and future Religious men and women with profound knowledge about Mary during their formation.
The author narrates that in chapter five of the book, emphasis is on the dignity of an African woman who experiences rough life but can focus on Mary who is a fighter, holy, loving and humble as a role model.
“The Marian theology in this book is pertinent to the Church in Africa, (and) from its doctrinal aspect will embrace African values,” the author notes at the back matter of the book and adds, “Most of the African cultures are aware of the value and place of a woman for her maternal love, tenderness and care for the entire family.”
On other sections of the book, the scholar has gone further to explore on Mary as a unifying force between Catholics, Christians from various denominations and other religions.
“Mary is not only venerated by Catholics, I present her as one who bridges the gap in ecumenical and interreligious dialogue,” Fr. Mrio underscored adding that, “we are all sons and daughters of Abraham, and instead of involving ourselves on inter-religious conflicts, let Mary be our role model and a unifying force.”
Sharing about the book during the launch, Fr. Andrew Kaufa the Social Communications Coordinator at the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), said “the book comes at the right time since very few people talk about Mother Mary because they are afraid of saying heretical things about her.”
and TV Show host Ms. Elizabeth Asasha
He strengthens the role of Mary in salvation history citing Saint Louis Marie de Montfort who said, “Just as Jesus chose to come into the world through Mary, Christians can also go back to Jesus through Mary’s exemplary life and spiritual motherhood, and this gives us the relevance of the mother of Christ in our Christian life.”
Fr. Kaufa a member of Society of Montfort Missionaries (SMM) who has read Fr. Mrio’s book appreciated how the author in his research clarified the role of the Church as a mother, and the connection on how Mary is coming in as a prophesy in the Sacred Scriptures.
He further acknowledged the aspect of Mary as a role model for African women saying, “She is a woman who is patient, so loving, caring and supportive. We can emulate her irrespective of religion.
On her side, Sr. Olga Massango who is in the editorial team of the Pauline Publications Africa who published the new book, noted that the book is unique in away as it explains “the role of Mary as a woman of faith who was present right from Pentecost at the beginning of the birth of the Church.”
“May the intercessory role of Mary in the Church and society be felt and understood,” Sr. Olga a member of the Daughters of St. Paul (FSP) congregation said during the Tuesday launch.
