Mary Beth Moser is available for presentations to your cultural group, classroom, or organization. Her presentations are brought to life by illustrations gathered from local artists and her own photographs. Click here for a PDF description of available presentation topics.
The following is a summary of Mary Beth’s past presentations, lectures, workshops, and interviews.
2023
“The Art of Gratitude: The Enduring Value of Ex-votos to the Black Madonnas of Italy,” PNW American Academy of Religion, George Fox University, Newberg, Oregon, May 20, 2023.
At major sanctuaries to the Black Madonna throughout Italy and beyond, devotees over the centuries have made offerings known as ex-votos, Latin for “out of a vow,” to give recognition for healing received at a time of great need.
This art of gratitude often takes the form of a narrative painting with the words “PGR,” per grazia ricevuto – for grace received –along with an inscription of the specific details of the circumstances of the event.
These testimonies of divine connection provide a fascinating insight into the past. They offer a historical record of everyday dangers and communal catastrophe. At the same time, they tell of survival, resilience, and collective action. Making offerings at sacred sites is an ancient practice, as evidenced by devotional items found throughout Italy.
In this visual presentation, I share images of some of the ex-votos still in existence at Marian sanctuaries. More than 10,000 ex-votos in Italy have survived the ages, although many have been lost, stolen, or destroyed.
The viewing of ex-votos invites us into conversation across time and suggests a meaningful spiritual practice that can be utilized today. They ask us to pay attention to not only what has happened in the places we inhabit, but also to what is happening. They encourage us to ask: What am I grateful for? Who is helping me? How am I acknowledging that? What am I giving back in return for the gift I received?
As we seek deeper connections that carry us forward into uncertain times, creating expressions of gratitude offers a practice of relationship and reciprocity with the natural world.
“Ten years ago, I fulfilled an important goal – the completion of my dissertation, The Everyday Spirituality of Women in the Italian Alps, about my ancestral heritage, with a focus on women and folk wisdom. On April 30, 2023, I had the opportunity to publicly thank the very people who helped me along the way. I’m honored to have been invited by the Centro Studi per la Val di Sole in Trentino, Italy to introduce my dissertation. It feels especially meaningful because my maternal grandmother, Edvige Albasini, emigrated from the Val di Sole in 1906 to “L’America,” never to return. It feels like a cycle completed to be recognized in this way.
A big thank you to Marcello Liboni, president of the Centro Studi per la Val di Sole, who invited me, to Anna Benedetti for your outstanding real-time translation, and to Michele Bezzi for technical support; and to Andrea Lazzaroni, the mayor of the Comune di Dimaro Folgarida, and to Armando Maistri, president of Trentini nel Mondo, for your kind words.
I know I speak for so many of us descendants when I say that Trentino is very important to us. Noi discendenti siamo grati per i nostri legami con voi.”
To view a recording of the presentation click here: https://youtu.be/MVtugVG1-sE
To view a recording of the entire event and the presentation click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVJ_Wh4ekBs
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
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2011
- “Submerged Spirituality in the Italian Alps: A Multi-Disciplinary Exploration and Excavation of Women’s Cultural History in Trentino,” graduate lecture for Dark Mother course, California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA, March 2011.
2010
- “Submerged Spirituality in the Italian Alps: A Multi-Disciplinary Exploration and Excavation of Women’s Cultural History in Trentino,” invited guest speaker for Women’s History month, University of Texas at San Antonio, March 2010
- “Submerged Spirituality and Mountain Mothers: An Exploration of Metaformic Themes in the Cultural History of the Valleys and Villages of the Italian Alps,” graduate lecture for Metaformic Theory class, Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Palo Alto, CA, February 2010
2009
- “Women, Food, and Spirits: Carriers of Submerged Culture from the Alps of Trentino to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado,” American Italian Historical Association, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, October 2009
- “The Black Madonnas of Italy: Images, Miracles, and Traditions,” American Academy of Religion, Pacific Northwest University, Tacoma, WA, April 2009
- “The Metaformic Roots of the Black Madonnas of Italy,” graduate lecture, Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Palo Alto, CA March, 2009
2006
- “The Black Madonnas of Italy,” graduate lecture, California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA, October 2006
2005
- “The Black Madonnas of Italy,” graduate lecture, New College of California, San Francisco, CA, December 2005
- “The Black Madonnas of Italy,” graduate lecture, California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA, December 2005
- “Sardegna! Ancient Island, Timeless Island,” speaker for monthly program, Dante Alighieri Society, Seattle, WA, October 2005
- “A Pilgrimage to the Black Madonna of Oropa,” invited presenter for The Black Madonna and the Womb of God Conference, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA, June 2005
- “The Black Madonnas of Italy,” public presentation, Belladonna, Berkeley, CA, June 2005
- “Hidden No More: The Black Madonna Adonai of Sicily,” presentation for She Is Everywhere book release event, Belladonna, Berkeley, CA, May 2005
- “Sacred Sisterhood: The Black Madonnas of Italy and France,” presentation, Women’s Integral Leadership Center, Seattle, WA, February 2005
- “Sardegna! Mediterranean Island of the Dark Goddess,” workshop, Women of Wisdom Annual Conference, Seattle, WA, February 2005
2004
- “The Black Madonnas of Italy,” presentation for She Is Everywhere panel, annual conference, American Italian Historical Association, Annapolis, MD, November 2004
- “Honoring Darkness: Exploring the Power of Black Madonnas in Italy,” Workshop, Women of Wisdom Annual Conference, Seattle, WA, February 2004
2003
- “The Black Madonnas of Italy,” presentation, Center for Sacred Art, Ballard, WA, November 2003
- “The Black Madonnas of Italy,” monthly speaker, Dante Alighieri Society, Seattle, WA, May 2003
- “Honoring Darkness: Exploring the Power of Black Madonnas in Italy,” monthly speaker, Serpentina “Goddess is Alive” Lecture Series, Oakland CA, April 2003
- “Honoring Darkness: Exploring the Power of Black Madonnas in Italy,” graduate lecture, California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA, April 2003
- “Honoring Darkness: Exploring the Power of Black Madonnas in Italy,” graduate lecture, New College of California, San Francisco, CA, April, 2003
Radio interviews by Mary Beth Moser:
- “Voices of Women” on Transformation Talk Radio, hosted by Kris Steinnes, guest together with Mary Saracino on book release of She Is Everywhere! Volume 3, April 20, 2012.
- “Sardegna/Italy Special” on Music of the World, KPFA Radio, 94.1 fm, Berkeley, CA. hosted and produced by Sandy Miranda. In-studio guest together with Dr. Lucia Birnbaum, June 2004