The Marist Sisters invite you to join with them in praying for their General Chapter which will take place in Nemi, Italy 8-29th April. A Chapter is a very significant event in the life of a Religious Congregation. It is significant that the Marist Sisters’ General Chapter is taking place during the Year of Consecrated Life.
Click here for a suggested prayer. During the Chapter news items will be regularly uploaded to the General Chapter website.
“And the Blessed Virgin,
who did such great things then,
will do even greater ones
at the end of time…” (Jean-Claude Colin)
Jean-Claude Colin, founder of the Marist Fathers and Marist Sisters, knew suffering at an early age. Orphaned at the age of five he developed into a person with a deep longing for a life of solitude and strong desire to serve God. It was while studying for the priesthood at the major seminary in Lyon he came into contact with the Marist project. Despite his sensitive and timid temperament he was courageous in responding to the needs of his time. He took his inspiration from the life of Mary in Nazareth and and from her presence as a mother in the early church. On 15th November, the anniversary of his death, Marists throughout the world recall with gratitude the legacy of this man who teaches us what it is to live the Spirit of Mary in our times.
Let Marists always bear in mind
that they belong by a gracious choice
to the family of the Blessed Mary,
Mother of God.
In her name they are called Marists.
(Spirit of the Society of Mary)
The feast of the Holy Name of Mary, 12th September, is a day of special significance for all Marists. On this day we are reminded that in bearing Mary’s name we are called to follow Mary’s example of discipleship. Like Mary we are called to hear the word of God, to ponder it and to live it. And so on this feast we pray that we will learn from Mary “how to let our faith and love mature and so spend ourselves in building up the Kingdom of God.” (Marist Sisters Constitutions, Article 8)
“We have the sincere intention and firm purpose
of consecrating ourselves at the first opportunity
to founding a congregation of Mary-ists…
…and we solemnly promise
to spend ourselves and all we possess
in saving souls by every kind of apostolate
under the sacred name of the Virgin Mary
and with her protection and help.”
(Pledge of Fourvière, 1816)
Each year on 23rd July, Marists throughout the world recall the day when twelve seminarians climbed the 800 steps to the Chapel of Our Lady of Fourvière where they pledged themselves to beginning the Marist Family. They drew their inspiration from Mary’s presence in the early church and her relationship with Jesus, the Church and the contemporary world.
May the enthusiasm and fervour of the men of Fourvière continue to inspire all Marists to fervently live the Gospel after the manner of Mary .
The Marist Sisters are delighted to congratulate Marist Father Kevin Kerley on being awarded an OAM (medal in the general division of the Order of Australia) for ‘service to the international community through humanitarian roles in Papua-New Guinea’.
After Marist profession, Fr Kevin (then a Brother SM) worked in Bougainville from 1954 to 1972, before returning to Australia for priestly studies. Ordained in 1980, he returned to Bougainville where he worked until 2001 including through the tumultuous period of the Bougainville crisis.
Now residing at Villa Maria, Hunters Hill, NSW, Fr Kevin continues his work of assembling memoirs of the crisis years. Congratulations, Fr Kevin OAM!