The Visit of the Pontifical Marian Academy to Washington, D.C.

Bridging Faith, Culture, and Encounter

In late October, Washington, D.C. served as the stage for a notable encounter: a week-long mission by the Pontifical International Marian Academy (PAMI).

From Rome arrived Fray Stefano Cecchin and Brother Marco Mendoza Martínez, tasked with advancing the study and living out of Mariology, the theology of the Blessed Virgin Mary, across linguistic, cultural, and ecclesial boundaries.

Their visit, organized in collaboration with and sponsored by the Network of International Catholic Women Leaders, sought to build new bridges between theology, culture, and contemporary life.

A Mission of Encounter

Their visit was more than an academic tour. It was a pilgrimage of dialogue and communion.

It began with prayerful visits to the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, where they were embraced by the Franciscan community and Msgr. Walter Rossi.

These moments rooted the delegation firmly in Marian-Franciscan spirituality, reminding us that doctrine becomes alive in encounter.

The following afternoon, they met with the President of The Catholic University of America to discuss the translation and dissemination of PAMI’s Italian-language Mariological work.

A shared goal emerged: to bring Marian theology into the hands and minds of students, clergy, and lay leaders speaking new languages and living in diverse cultures.

Mary: Defender of Life and Family

That evening, during a gathering of more than 120 women leaders at Villa Maria, Fray Cecchin spoke on Mary as Defender of Life and the Family.

Drawing on his Mariological vision, he invited participants to see Mary not simply as a devotional figure, but as a living exemplar of courage, tenderness, and service — one whose “yes” to God opens the way for human dignity and communion.

In his scholarly reflections, Fray Cecchin reminds us:

“Mary belongs to Catholic dogmatics, not to Catholic devotions only; she is the model of the Church.”

He also warns against minimizing her significance. For him, Marian doctrine is integral to Christology, ecclesiology, and soteriology.

Academic and Intercultural Dialogue

On Thursday, the delegation visited Georgetown University, where they led a special lecture for students of “Mary Throughout the Ages.”

In collaboration with the Network of International Catholic Women Leaders, Fray Cecchin and Brother Marco explored Mary as an intercultural and inter-religious figure.

As Fray Cecchin emphasized, Marian theology is not only internal to the Catholic Church. It also opens a dialogical space with other Christian traditions and religions.

That same evening, at the Catholic Information Center, the delegation celebrated Mass and reflected with young professionals on Mary’s discipleship in modern life, showing that theology and everyday lived faith go hand in hand.

A Pilgrimage to the Mountains

The final day brought them to Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

There, they visited the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, celebrated Mass with seminarians and faculty, and relaxed in fraternity.

It was an apt conclusion: pilgrim-walkers rooted in prayer, study, and brotherhood. In many ways, it served as a microcosm of what PAMI aims to foster.

A Call for Ongoing Collaboration

Throughout their stay, Fray Cecchin and Brother Marco did more than speak about Mary. They highlighted Mary’s mission today: mother of encounter, unity, and life.

As Fray Cecchin observes, Mary continues to care for the Church after Christ’s Ascension:

“Mary is the key that opens for us the mystery of Christ and the Church.”

Their visit solidified a partnership between PAMI and the Network of International Catholic Women Leaders, aiming to build spaces of theological dialogue, cultural exchange, and spiritual renewal.

Together, they lean into a Marian approach to leadership: one rooted in service, listening, and the defense of life.

Conclusion: Mary as Bridge

As Fray Stefano often reminds his audiences:

“Mary is the bridge between heaven and earth — and between people.”

The Washington visit made that truth tangible.

Through prayer, academic exchange, cross-cultural dialogue, and friendship, PAMI’s mission was enacted: theology that unites, listens, and calls all believers, women and men alike, to walk together in hope.