b'holds the child Jesus in one hand and a beautiful rose Our Lady of Jharkhand at thein the other. (Pushpa Rosa) This image had a great Marianist Novitiate presentsMary in tribal attire and physicalimpact on my vocation journey: Mother Mary encour- features.ages, comforts, and leads one to Christ. In India, images of Mary depict her closeness tothe people. A Marian devotion can help one speakout for social responsibility and justice, showing acommitment to those who suffer. The figure of Maryprojects solidarity with the poor, suffering little ones,and the marginalized, often represented through the way in which she is dressed. In almost all Indianrepresentations, Mary wears the sari, the traditionalattire of women in India, which sometimes includes LET US PRAYEuropean design elements and features. Examples ofthis can be found in: Our Lady of Velankanni (Tamil THAT MARY,Nadu), Our Lady of Good Health (Bangalore), Our MOTHER OFLady of Grace (Bihar), and Martha Mariam (Kerala). Images of Mary found in our Marianist communi- DIALOGUE,ties connect with the people and culture of India.MAY KEEP For example, Our Lady of Jharkhand in the Novitiate,Mary Seat of Wisdom in the scholasticate, and Our US UNITEDLady of Annunciation at Chaminade Nilya present UNDER HERMary both in tribal attire and physical features.This expression of Mary brings new dimension MANTEL. into a Marian devotion in India, not just liturgicallybut also through a dialogue of culture and faith. Inthis hour, our nation, which is divided by caste, creed,and language, is in need of perpetual dialogue.Post-Vatican II Church teaching encourages dia-PHOTO BY FR. JINU MUTHUKATTIL, SMlogue in every aspect, especially dialogue with otherChristian denominations and other monotheistic religions. Marialis Cultus categorically states thatMarian devotionbased on Scripture, Churchteachings, and traditionsis a means to the unityof all Christians. Mary becomes the bridge builderbetween religions. In India, she stands as a bridgebuilder between castes, creeds, languages, and beliefs.\x00 Dialogue of hands: We join with others to makeIn his encyclical Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis states the world a better place in which we all must livethat dialogue is an art of encounter with everyone, that together. Mary going in haste to help her cousinwe need to respect the views of others. Mary stands (Luke 1:39) and helping at the Wedding Feast ofas a model of dialogue of head, heart, and hand.Cana are examples of this dialogue.\x00 Dialogue of head: We mentally learn from those who Mary stands as a model of these dialogues in thethink differently from us, and we are open to learn, Scripture. As Marianists, we make ourselves availablethink, and act differently as well. Mary had this for her mission to be a part of the dialogue in thisexperience at the Annunciation; she was open to polarized nation and to be the voice of Mary for thebringing Christ into the world. Her openness was poor and marginalized. Let us pray that Mary, motherthe transforming experience for all mankind. of dialogue, may keep us united under her mantel.\x01\x00 Dialogue of heart: Mary lived with her eyes fixedon Christ, treasuring his every word. She kept all Fr. Varghese Manooparampil, SM, is the director of thethese things, pondering in her heart. (Luke 2:51) Marianist Scholasticate Community in Bangalore, India. marianist.com/donate 5'