The Mellifluous Bee
The Marian Theology of Adam of Dryburgh
by
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The intention of this work is to investigate the central themes of Adam's Marian theology. This study makes reference to similar ideas, concepts, images, and beliefs that view Adam's theology in relation to other leading preachers and theologians of his day, albeit not a comprehensive view. At the same time, this study focuses on Adam's own work and attempts to draw out some of his central concerns with reference to Marian Theology. In doing so, it illustrates two major characteristics:
1. It shows a certain familiarity with Scripture, Tradition, and the teaching of the Magisterium; and,
2. It shows considerable willingness to be innovative and creative when applying Marian themes, prerogatives, and character to the development of the spiritual life. It is here that the central character of Adam's life work is found. Adam of Dryburgh is quintessentially a spiritual master who wants to: a) enter into divine communion (union) with God, b) understand and articulate the development of that relationship and spiritual process; and, c) communicate the nature and features of this process to others, especially to those within his religious community, so that his fellow brothers can walk the same journey. This desire of Adam of Dryburgh's is essentially the heart from where he interprets the whole of the Scripture, Tradition, and religious life. It is also his point of departure for understanding and interpreting the role and place of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the life of Christ, the church, and in each individual open to receiving the grace of God's wisdom.
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About the Book
Adam of Dryburgh (d. 1212), a Scottish Canon of Prémontré, Monk of the Charterhouse of Witham, theologian, reformer, abbot, and hermit, is considered one of the earliest and most important witnesses to the nature of the canonical order in the twelfth century. Adam's theological works and sermons show a familiarity with the theological masters and schools of his day and indicate a profound familiarity with the Sacred Scripture, the liturgy of the Church, as well as, ancient classical and Christian literature. His theological writings are important for Marian theology because they present one of the earliest theological reflections on the status of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the reforming Canonical movement of the twelfth century. Adam's Marian theology maintains a formal Scriptural and Liturgical character; Mary is the daughter of the Father, Mother of the Son, and resting chamber of the Holy Spirit. She is the watered garden, the ark, the queen of heaven, and at the same time, Adam makes her approachable, humble, compassionate, familiar, close, a spiritual model for vowed religious; and, the Mother of the Canonical Order.
About the Author
Rev. Dr. Benedict D. O'Cinnsealaigh holds a Doctorate in Sacred Theology with a specialty in the study of the Virgin Mary. Currently, he is an associate professor of dogma, director of seminary formation, and director of the permanent deacon formation program at Mount St. Mary's Seminary of the West, Cincinnati, Ohio. Fr. O'Cinnsealaigh also holds a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the International Marian Research Institute/Marianum, and Bachelors of Sacred Theology from the Angelicum, Rome. This work is his doctoral thesis for the International Marian Research Institute at the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. The Institute is a pontifical institute associated with the Marianum in Rome. Fr. O'Cinnsealaigh is a native of Dublin, Ireland.