Dr. Anne M. O’Leary, PBVM

Interests: 

Anne specializes in the Gospels. Her research interests include exploring the NT use of the OT, and the ways in which contextual biblical hermeneutics and biblical spiritualities can create “bridges” that connect biblical exegesis with Christian praxis today.

As a Presentation Sister, Anne’s research interests include the area of Presentation spirituality that arises from the study of the Protogospel of James and its impact through the ages; and the role of Mary/Miriam in the Roman Catholic tradition, the Eastern Orthodox tradition and in Islam.

As part of her Graduate studies, Anne trained as a Spiritual Director and a facilitator of Ignatian communal discernment with Fr Thomas H. Green, SJ. Anne has presented papers and/or facilitated workshops, Chapters/assemblies and retreats in over twenty countries.

Current Research Interests:

• The Gospels
• Contextual Biblical Hermeneutics (Intercultural, Ecological, Feminist)
• The NT use of the OT
• Johannine Spirituality
• Mary of Nazareth in the NT and Tradition
• The Protogospel of James and Presentation spirituality

Awards:

 2010   Distinguished Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching from St Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas

2001   Recipient of the Millennium Award for Postgraduate Research, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, 2001-04

SELECT PUBLICATIONS:

Books:

2017. 2017. Nano Nagle and An Evolving Charism: A Guide for Educators, Leaders and Care-Providers. Edited by Bernadette Flanagan, Mary T. O’Brien and Anne M. O’Leary. Dublin: Veritas.
2018. 2006. Matthew’s Judaization of Mark: In the Context of the Use of Sources in Graeco-Roman Antiquity. Edinburgh: Continuum/T. & T. Clark (Reprinted, 2008).

Chapters, Articles and Conference Papers:

2021. 202 “Toward Liberation and New Life for Trafficked Persons: A Markan Response (5:21-43),” with Patricia Murray, IBVM, D. Min. In Let My People Go: The Reception of Exodus Motifs in Jewish and Christian Literature. Themes in Biblical Narrative,Vol 30. Edited by Beate Kowalski and Susan Docherty. Leiden: Brill, 222–249.
2022. 2017. “The Presentation of Mary: Returning to the Protogospel of James.” In Nano Nagle and An Evolving Charism: A Guide for Educators, Leaders and Care-Providers. Flanagan, O’Brien and O’Leary, 127–139.
2023. 2017. “Nano Nagle and St John of God: Parallel Lives.” In Nano Nagle and An Evolving Charism: A Guide for Educators, Leaders and Care-Providers. Flanagan, O’Brien and O’Leary, 65–77.
2024. 2017. “‘God in Our Midst’: A Theology of Indwelling.” In Nano Nagle and An Evolving Charism: A Guide for Educators, Leaders and Care-Providers Flanagan, O’Brien and O’Leary, 151–162.
2025. 2017. “Stewardship and the Charism of Nano Nagle.” In Nano Nagle and An Evolving Charism: A Guide for Educators, Leaders and Care-Providers. Flanagan, O’Brien and O’Leary, 189–202.
2026. 2012. “Mary of Nazareth and the Mysticism of Resistance.” In Women, Wisdom, and Witness: Next Generation Catholic Women in Dialogue. Edited by Rosemary P. Carbine and Kathleen J. Dolphin. New York: Orbis Books, 3–
2027. 2008. “Creative Use of the Bible in Religious Education.” In Exploring Religious Education: Catholic Religious Education in an Intercultural Europe. Edited by Anne Hession and Patricia Kieran. Dublin: Veritas, 61–72.
2028. 2007. “The Christian Bible.” In Exploring Theology: Making Sense of the Catholic Tradition. Hession and Patricia Kieran. Dublin: Veritas, 62–71.
2029. 2000. “Presentation Spirituality: Roots and Wings.” Presentation Studies 10. Edited by J. Matthew Feheney. Cork: Mardyke House, 3–9.
2030. 1999. “Fostering Spiritual Growth in Young People.” In Beyond the Race for Points: Aspects of Pastoral Care in a Catholic School Today. Edited by J. Matthew Feheney. Dublin: Veritas, 200–2

Select Papers at Seminars, Conferences and Public Lectures:

2022. “Consecrated Life and the Call to Encounter, Embrace, and Do the Truth Today.” For the inaugural in-person Women Religious Theologians Symposium (Rome: Union International of Superiors General). Convenors: Maria Cimperman, RSCJ, Paula Jordão, FMVD, Patricia Murray, IBVM, Julia Prinz, FMVD, and Gemma Simmonds, CJ. 12-19 June; Centro Ad Gentes, Rome. Proceedings Forthcoming.

2021. “Intercultural Exegesis: Perspectives from Ireland, the Philippines and the United States.” For the Inaugural Intercultural Exegesis Seminar hosted online by Prof. Beate Kowalski, Institute of Catholic Theology, TU University, Dortmund, Germany, 14 June.

2021. “The Sequela Christi as an Icon of Truth: Consecrated Life in a World of ‘Fake News’.” For the Women Religious Theologians Symposium – hosted online by Patricia Murray IBVM, Executive of the Union International of Superiors General (UISG, Rome), in collaboration with Maria Cimperman RSCJ, Director of the Center for the Study of Consecrated Life (CSCL, CTU Chicago, USA), Gemma Simmonds CJ, Director of the Religious Life Institute, Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology (Cambridge, UK) and Julia Prinz, FMVD, Director of Women and Wisdom and Action Initiative (GTU Berkeley, USA), 9 June.

2018. “From Social Privilege to Social Practice: Nano Nagle and the Mysticism of Resistance,” read at the Catholic Historical Society of Ireland ‘Nano 300’ Conference, St. Patrick’s College, Dublin City University, 29 September.
2019. “‘To Go to Samaria, or Not? That is the Question’: An Intertextual Study of John 4:1-46 and Matthew 10:1-46,” read at the South West Commission on Religious Studies Conference, Dallas, TX, March 5.
2020. “Mary, Bondwoman of the Lord: Recovering What Has Been Lost in Translation,” as part of Women’s History Month lecture series at St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, TX, March 25.
2021. “‘They Will Be Taught by God that Jesus is the Bread from Heaven’: Insights into the Portrayal of Jesus Based on the Allusions to the Old Testament in John 6:22-51,” read at the Catholic Biblical Association, Fordham, NY, August 3.
2022. “Quest for the Historical Mary: A Response,” read as a response to a paper entitled, ‘Quest for the Historical Mary’, presented by Elizabeth A. Johnson, Distinguished Professor, Fordham, NY, at St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, March 26.
2023. “John’s Use of Zeph. 9:9 in the Account of the Entry into Jerusalem (12:12-19),” read at the Seminar on Old Testament in the New Testament Conference, at St Deiniol’s Library, Hawarden, North Wales, April 6-8.
2024. “The Portrayal of Mary in the Fourth Gospel: An Icon of Presence,” read at the Irish Biblical Association Meeting, Union Theological Seminary, Belfast, November 9.
2025. “The Portrayal of Mary in the Fourth Gospel: An Icon of Presence,” read at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, Ireland, October 20.