In this modern age, how do millennials know Mary? Considering that the Mother of Jesus died more than 2,000 years ago, some encounter her through prayers and devotions, while others contemplate her through art in museums around the world. “Millennials Meet Mary”, is a compilation of Marian art reviews provided by 80 millennials from 42 countries. Each of them reflects on the Mother of Jesus from her diverse origins, Joan, the book's author, says it is “A to Z,” beginning with Argentina and Armenia and ending with Zimbabwe.
“I wanted to tell Maria's story revealed through art and commented on by millennials from all over the world. That's how I came up with the title almost from the beginning, when I was starting to write the book and put the concept together in my mind: Mary, Art and Millennials,” comments Joan Foo Mahony.
The author of “Millennials Meet Mary”, says of herself as ‘the only dinosaur’ in the book where her entire production, design and mass communication team, and the 80 young men and women from 42 countries who write her commentaries, are Millennials. All with interesting lives, accomplished, conscientious and exceptional human beings.
Who are the millennials in the book?
The Millennials in the group include Prince Aaryaman of Gwalior, who is also Mahony's godson, actresses Raline Shah and Karen Mok, Filipino athletes Ricci Rivero, Pauline Lopes and JohnVic de Guzman, Hong Kong pianist Rachel Cheung, Armenian violinist Astrid Poghosyan, film director Nathalie Biancheri and many more. Among these Millennials are also some of the graduates of the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum such as Dr. Jennifer Miller, assistant professor at Yale University School of Medicine, founder of Bioethics International; there are also members of the Ateneo teaching community such as Martha Rodriguez Diaz, consecrated of the Regnum Christi and founder of Institute of Higher Studies for Women (Rome); friends such as Pat Fok, internationally renowned photographer, author and philanthropist and Rosari Soentjoto, president and managing partner of New Eve Capital and Horacio Gomez, entrepreneur and founder of “Marian Steps” and “Un minuto con Maria”.
The millennials in this book are people from different countries, cultures, religions, of different language, but what they have in common is that they “found” Mary. In this book you can see how their youthful honesty, insight and inspiration truly enlighten the world! This encounter with the Virgin Mary brings the book to life, it is the reflection of a millennial generation on the treasure of a unique and timeless art.
Joan wanted to not only tell the story of Mary by revealing the life of Our Lady through the magnificent artwork; she also wanted to share this experience and involve young people, something that was a natural fit for Joan. She is from Malaysia and today lives in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur. She began her career as a corporate lawyer in Tokyo for 10 years, a period that was professionally and culturally exciting and stimulating. From Japan followed more years of law practice in China, Hong Kong, New York and Boston. Joan built up a remarkable international network of friends. The ease with which she brought together the 80 Millennials in this Marian book comes from her enduring friendships, her compassion and generosity to share some of herself.
Giving something of oneself
Joan, on her own initiative and generosity, has ensured that 100% of the royalties from this book will benefit the educational mission of the Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum. It is the author's way of giving a part of herself back to God, through the work and beautiful works contained in the book.
To purchase “Millennials Meet Mary” and thus support the mission of the Athenaeum, only follow this link.
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Translated from the original in English “Millennials Meet Mary” In Support of the Regina Apostolorum mission, by the Office of International Communication.
