Renewed interest growing in Mary's role in faith life, depiction in art

Catholic News Service reports on an upsurge in Marian devotion:

Brother Mark [McVann], a professor of theology and religious studies at St. Mary's, said the revival of interest in Mary and Marian devotions is evident in the volume of recent books on Mary, in the University of Dayton's "The Mary Page" on the Internet, and of enough significance that the History Channel has done a series (and now a book) -- "Visions of Mary" -- which he called excellent.

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"Mary is more than an Old Testament saint," he added. "She is the first one to hear the Gospel. Mary is the first Christian disciple. ... When she appears at the foot of the cross, she becomes the model for believers."