Kayla Harris

An indoor Mary garden at the University of Dayton. The Marian Library, University of Dayton

May 20, 2024

‘Mary gardens’ bring Catholic piety to the garden

Kayla Harris, University of Dayton and Bridget Retzloff, University of Dayton

In the 20th century, an engineer from Philadelphia encouraged others to create their own Mary gardens and established a company that sold seeds with Marian plant names.

A handmade Nativity from Kyrgyzstan by an unknown artisan. Instead of a stable, it features a yurt, the traditional home of nomadic Kyrgyz people. The Marian Library, University of Dayton

December 20, 2022

Who is at the manger? Nativity sets around the world show each culture’s take on the Christmas story

Kayla Harris, University of Dayton and Neomi De Anda, University of Dayton

The Christmas story is about Jesus coming to mankind. As holiday decorations show, Christians around the world often picture him in their own cultures.

Rosaries are meant for praying anywhere and anytime. Anderson Mouzinho/EyeEm via Getty Images

October 27, 2022

What is the rosary? Why a set of beads and prayers are central to Catholic faith

Kayla Harris, University of Dayton

Rosaries are meant to be used wherever, whenever – and each one tells a story.

The flag of Ukraine has been tied around a statue of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ outside a church in Pennsylvania amid the Russian invasion. Aimee Dilger/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

March 9, 2022

As war rages, some Ukrainians look to Mary for protection – continuing a long Christian tradition

Kayla Harris, University of Dayton

To many Ukrainians, Jesus’ mother has a special relationship with their country.

People are warned that what they post on the internet will live forever. But that’s not really the case. 3alexd/E+ via Getty Images

August 13, 2021

The Internet Archive has been fighting for 25 years to keep what’s on the web from disappearing – and you can help

Kayla Harris, University of Dayton; Christina Beis, University of Dayton, and Stephanie Shreffler, University of Dayton

Portions of the internet disappear every day. Preservation of this historical record requires a proactive approach by archivists and everyday citizens.

Holy cards are highly collectible but also very, very numerous. Ryan O'Grady, The Marian Library, University of Dayton

March 31, 2021

What can you do with unwanted holy cards and Grandma’s religious statues?

Kayla Harris, University of Dayton and Sarah B. Cahalan, University of Dayton

The mass production of religious items such as rosaries and holy cards poses a problem for the curators of religious artifacts at libraries and museums. How do you dispose of unwanted donations?

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