Update: Fr. Johann Roten, SM, is unable to join us. Sr. Leanne will lead a group prayer outdoors at 2:30 p.m. Feel free to gather anytime after 1:30 for refreshments and socializing!
On April 8, the Feast of the Annunciation, Dayton will be in the path of totality for an historic solar eclipse. April 8 is also the feast of the Annunciation and the birthday of our Marianist Founder Fr. William Joseph Chaminade. To mark this historic alignment, Friends of MEEC donors and volunteers and all members of the Dayton-area Marianist Family are invited to a celebration at Mount Saint John.
We'll begin to gather at 1:30 p.m. with refreshments and socializing, and at 2 p.m Fr. Johann Roten, SM, will give a brief talk on Astronomical Events in Scripture and Marian Images in the Madeleine Room of the Chaminade Center. Fr. Roten is a Marianist priest and internationally recognized scholar on Mary, the mother of Christ and transhumanism. He is a scholar in residence with the University of Dayton International Marian Research Institute (IMRI). Father Roten headed IMRI//Marian Library at UD for 20 years and helped build the most comprehensive art and book collection about Mary including over 3600 Nativities (Crèches) and also helped launch the website All about Mary. https://udayton.edu/imri/mary/index.php.
At 2:45 we'll begin a brief outdoor prayer for the Annunciation and in gratitude for Fr. Chaminade on his 263rd birthday. At 3:00 we'll pray the Three O'Clock Prayer in anticipation of totality at 3:08 p.m. Come for any or for all of the day. We'll have some eclipse glasses to share, or bring your own. Eclipse-themed snacks to share are welcome, and camp/lawn chairs would be helpful! RSVP to info@meec.center.