The Italian Interdisciplinary Mariological Association (AMI) promotes scholarly research on the Virgin Mary through the theological and human sciences, in dialogue with the Church and the contemporary world.
With the founding of the Association in 1990, the dream of scholars devoted to the Mother of the Lord came true. Its main aim is to illuminate the figure of the Virgin Mary within the theological and human sciences and to foster ecumenical dialogue.
After years of preparation and meetings between theologians and scholars at the Shrine of Mary Queen of Hearts in Rome (Via Romagna 44), the Association was founded in 1990. Today AMI continues to promote Mariology through conferences, publications and research projects.
The Association, a non-profit body, aims to:
Four orientations guide AMI’s work: scholarly rigour, dialogue with the present, communion with the Church and the search for beauty.
A rigorous approach embracing disciplines such as theology, philosophy, the human sciences, art and much more.
We address today’s questions from a theological and Mariological perspective.
In tune with the journey of the Church in the world.
The way of beauty as a key to approaching the figure of Mary, the theme of our latest annual conferences.
AMI is made up of ordinary, honorary and supporting members. Ordinary members are those who, with a background in Mariology or the theological or human sciences, actively contribute to research; honorary members are eminent scholars; supporting members are those who sustain the Association’s activities in various ways. Its governing bodies are the General Assembly, the Board of directors, the President and the Board of auditors.
AMI publishes the scholarly journal Theotokos, founded in 1992 and devoted to the figure of Mary in the Scriptures, the Fathers, the history of the Church and across disciplines. The journal is accompanied by the Biblioteca di Theotokos book series and the Nuovi percorsi di mariologia series, which collect the proceedings of national and international conferences. AMI has also edited the monumental critical edition Monumenta Italica Mariana, to preserve the rich Italian Marian tradition.
In recent years AMI has explored the aesthetic dimension of the figure of Mary through the concept of the via pulchritudinis. Its latest annual conferences have been devoted to this theme, with the aim of bringing out the beauty of Mariology in tune with contemporary sensibilities.
AMI is led by a team of experts in Mariology and theology who devote their knowledge and skills to promoting research and formation. Each member of the Board brings a unique contribution to the Association’s work through teaching, scholarly publications and active participation in the life of the Church.
A Salesian since 1977 and a priest since 1986, he holds a licence in dogmatic theology from the Salesian University and a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Faculty “Marianum”, with research on the Marian question at the Second Vatican Council. He is full professor of systematic theology at the Salesian University in Rome and, since 2012, a theological consultor to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Theology and a licence in Ecclesiology from the Theological Faculty of Sicily, and a doctorate in theology specialising in Mariology from the Pontifical Theological Faculty “Marianum” in Rome. A lecturer in Mariology, she has published numerous studies in theological journals and leads voluntary and international cooperation associations.
AMI’s rules, purposes and structure: eighteen articles setting out the Association’s aims, its governing bodies and the rights and duties of its members.
Read the StatuteIf you share our values and wish to contribute to the growth of Mariological research, you can become a member of the Association or explore our publications.