The University of Dayton Marian Library, which holds the world’s largest collection of books and artifacts on Virgin Mary, will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2018.

The library is recognized as an international destination for the study and appreciation of Mary, mother of Christ. It holds more than 112,000 books, including over 12,000 rare editions, along with statues, rosaries, art, even wine labels, and more.

“Our mission is to make the Blessed Virgin Mary better known, loved and served,” said Director Sarah Cahalan. “Whether it is through the prominent scholars who have studied and taught here or the local children who visit each Christmas to see the Nativities, we want the materials and knowledge to be accessible to everyone.”

The library was founded in 1943 with the gift of a single book from former University president Marianist Father John Elbert to celebrate the centennials of the Society of Mary arriving in the United States (1849) and the founding of the University by the Marianists (1850).
“I feel like the library is a monument to the Marianist mission of education,” Cahalan said, noting that approximately 5,000 people visit the library annually. “The anniversary reflects the work of so many people over the years — the founders, the students and researchers who use it, the local community, our dedicated volunteers. They make it a living monument that, at 75 years, is still just at the beginning.”

The library’s archival and special research collections have grown to cover a broad range of Marian topics, including apparitions — or appearances — of Mary around the world. Its digital collections contain a selection of the library’s approximately 10,000 Catholic holy cards, 9,000 stamps, 3,600 Nativity sets from around the globe, 700 pieces of Marian sheet music and other materials.

People everywhere can also access centuries of information on Virgin Mary through the University’s All About Mary website (https://www.udayton.edu/imri/mary/), which features more than 1,300 entries on Scripture, scholarship, popular culture and more.

“There are so many aspects that make Mary popular,” said Marianist Father Johann Roten, director of research, art and special projects in the University’s International Marian Research Institute. “She is not only a religious figure, but she is a highly symbolic figure representing womanhood, maternity, affirmation and affection. Mary leads to Christ, of course, but also to art, history, culture, spirituality and so many directions because of the role she played and the way her role has become important for individual persons and the whole church.”

The University will celebrate the library throughout 2018, beginning Jan. 25 with a concert of medieval Marian music in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. Tickets are free, but must be reserved in advance. For more information, visit http://univofdaytonarena.box-officetickets.com.

“The concert will be a wonderful community event,” Cahalan said.