” “” ” ” “"The apparitions of the Blessed Virgin. Between history, faith and theology", is the title of the 22nd International Mariological Congress due to take place in Lourdes from 4th to 8th September 2008. The initiative, organised by the "Pontificia academia mariana internationalis" (Pami), the body of the Holy See that promotes international Mariological-Marian congresses, is one of the events that was illustrated today at the Vatican Newsroom, at the presentation of the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the apparitions in Lourdes which will begin on December 8th 2007 and will end on December 8th 2008. "The congress of Lourdes illustrated father Vincenzo Battaglia, president of Pami is the second to be celebrated in this sanctuary, after that of 1958. Such congresses are held once every four years and bring together scholars and experts of Mariology from all over the world to share the fruit of their research". On the occasion of the apparitions to Saint Bernadette Soubirous (between 11th February to 16th July 1858, the Virgin appeared 18 times), the Congress aims at taking stock of the phenomenon from different perspectives. "As is in the tradition of our congresses concluded father Battaglia , an ecumenical round table has also been planned to cultivate dialogue with other Churches".” “” “
