Pope Francis has recently been asking theologians to explore – with fresh vigor – the Marian dimension of the Church. In response to this request, Dr. Dan Osborn – the diocesan theologian who serves on Bishop Robert D. Gruss' staff in the Diocese of Saginaw – has initiated a groundbreaking research project to gain concrete data regarding Mary's influence as Mother of the Church.
"I am grateful to Bishop Gruss for giving me his blessing to carry out this labor of love for Our Lady. I believe this project will, in a sense, pull aside the curtain and allow us to see just how profound the Blessed Mother's impact on the Church truly is," said Dr. Osborn.
This project, to be carried out by CARA (Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate), will involve a survey of bishops, priests, permanent deacons and religious superiors in the U.S.A. to better understand the Blessed Mother’s impact on those who have embraced ecclesial vocations. Respondents to the survey will have the opportunity to indicate the impact on them of Marian devotions and studies, Marian apparitions such as Guadalupe, Lourdes and Fatima, as well as the spiritual experience connected with Medjugorje.
A total of $33,330 is needed to make this survey a reality, and $2,200 has already been donated. "Donations anywhere from $10 to thousands will make a difference," notes Dr. Osborn. "I hope many people who love Our Lady will consider helping with this project, which will break new ground by providing Church leaders, vocation directors, seminaries, religious orders and the lay faithful with actual data on Mary’s impact on the Church."
How to help
U.S. donations are tax deductible and will be received directly by CARA, which is affiliated with Georgetown University. Those wishing to donate are asked to kindly visit this link: https://cara.georgetown.edu/donate
Important: Donors must indicate “Marian Devotion” under “Additional Information” if they make an online donation; otherwise, the donation will not be earmarked for this research project.
Alternatively, checks made out to “CARA” (with “Marian Devotion” on the memo line) may be mailed to:
Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate
Attn: Marian Devotion Research
2300 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Suite 400A
Washington, DC 20007
"This project is not only a way to respond to the Holy Father's plea, but it's also a way to thank Our Lady for helping me discover my own vocation to serve Christ and his Church," added Dr. Osborn, who is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the Angelicum), where he completed thesis work on “the Marian Principle” in the Church. He may be contacted by email by clicking here.
"We glorify the Lord when we lift up the beauty of his most perfect creation, Mother Mary – God's masterpiece! I pray that people of faith will consider any size donation, big or small, including these sponsorship tiers":
$100 - $499 - Immaculata Donor
$500 - Annunciation Donor
$1,000 - Nativity Donor
$5,000 - Visitation Donor
$10,000 - Assumption Donor
$20,000 - Coronation Donor
Note: If CARA does not receive sufficient funds for this project, all donations will be returned to donors.
CARA is willing to include the names of sponsors in their final report – if so desired by the individual, (arch)diocese or organization that supports this project at one of the sponsorship levels listed above.
Dr. Dan Osborn recently discussed this project and more on the United in Mission: One Heart and Mind Podcast with host John Gonzalez. They also talked about Mary's impact in their own lives and the Vatican's recent positive assessment of Medjugorje.