Madonna of Loreto

    
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The Black Madonnas of Italy
A Visual Presentation of the Dark Face of the Sacred Feminine

by Mary Beth Moser

Did you know that there are well over a hundred highly revered and miraculous images of the Virgin Mary in Italy that portray her with dark skin?

Some are famous, like the Madonna of Loreto shown here, whose image has been reproduced throughout the world. Others are barely known outside of their region. Yet their awesome power is no less.
 

In her presentations, Mary Beth Moser draws from her graduate thesis and ongoing research in which she explores the power and the mystery of the Black Madonnas found throughout Italy. During extensive field trips she has researched, photographed, and documented the enormous devotion to Italian Black Madonnas. From cities, to caves and mountaintops, Mary Beth has sought out shrines, churches and sanctuaries that honor the Madonna's venerated presence. Mary Beth’s presentations include a wealth of Black Madonna images rarely seen outside of Italy.

Mary Beth’s engaging narrative weaves together the facts and legends surrounding the Madonnas’ devotions and miracles, with stories of personal experiences, all of which reveal an ancient and living tradition and testify to the Black Madonna’s power to transform lives. While her presentations are focused on Italy, the insights she provides apply to other Black Madonnas found throughout Europe and the world. The specific information presented provides participants with the knowledge to recognize Black Madonnas; an awareness of the dark face of the sacred feminine as a powerful living symbol; and inspiration to discover and experience Black Madonnas in their travels.

  
“Your presentation was wonderful: organized, scholarly, AND deeply personal. The students were very inspired by you - as we all are.”  
  Dianne Jenett, Co-director Women’s Spirituality Master’s Program, New College of California, San Francisco  
“Your enthusiasm for the subject and your treasure trove of imagery enchanted our viewers. This was one of the most popular events of our programming year!”  
Victoria Scarlett, Director, Center for Sacred Art, Seattle
  Mary Beth Moser, a Northwest resident and Italian American, is a graduate of New College of California in San Francisco where she earned her Master’s degree in Women’s Spirituality. Her first personal encounter with the Italian Black Madonna of Oropa grew into an in-depth exploration that has flowered into her life’s passion. Her work is fueled by her love for Italy and benefits from the professional experience of over 20 years of engineering research and analysis. Mary Beth has given workshops and lectures in colleges, conferences, and communities about the Black Madonnas of Italy; arranged private tours to Black Madonna sites in Italy; and is currently writing a guidebook so that others might find these sacred places. Whenever she can, she travels the back roads of Italy to further her research and to experience the power of pilgrimage.

Mary Beth is the author of Honoring Darkness: Exploring the Power of the Black Madonnas in Italy (Dea Madre Publishing) and "Hidden No More: The Black Madonna Adonai of Sicily" published in She Is Everywhere (iUniverse 2005).

  
       
For more information contact:
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