New Novice for Marist Sisters

 

After three years living with Marist Sister in the Philippines Nguyen Thi Hai, originally from Vietnam, requested to take the next stage in the journey to becoming a Marist Sister.

Hai was received as a novice in the Congregation of Mary on the feast of St Peter Chanel, 28th April 2023. The reception ceremony took place in the Marist Sisters’ chapel in Mt Albert, New Zealand.

The novitiate is a special time of prayer and discernment so that the novice comes to know Christ and Mary more deeply. She learns more about the Marist way of life and prepares to commit herself to Christ in Marist Profession. We accompany Hai with our prayers so that she can deepen the call to follow Christ as a Marist Sister.

To view a clip of segments of the reception ceremony click here.

Prayer and Beauty in the Philippines

On 26  July, Unit Leader Sr Jane Frances and members of the Marist Sisters community in Davao, the Philippines, Srs Edna, Sheila, Lilibeth and April and candidate Hai left early to go to the Benedictine Monastery just south of Digos, about an hours journey, for their annual retreat.

During the next 6 days they journeyed through the theme of the Love, Mercy and Compassion of our God.  They had a beautiful, spiritual time together reflecting, creating and praying during their ‘masked retreat’.

Following the retreat, during their journey home, they visited the most beautiful “Cactus Farm” –  and were amazed at the variety of cacti on display.

Marist Vocation Year Launched

 

Marist Sisters in the Philippines attended the official launching of the Marist Vocation Year for the Society of Mary District of Asia. The year was launched on November 15, 2021 on the 146th Death Anniversary of Ven. Jean-Claude Colin, Founder of the Society of Mary. The theme of the Marist vocation year is “Enriching, encouraging and assisting Marist vocation”.

During the Mass Fr. Lauro Arcede beautifully preached on the treasures left to the Marists by Fr. Founder Jean-Claude Colin specifically the importance of community living; how it challenges Marists but at the same time how it protects Marists from the things that could swallow them and make them far from what Fr. Colin envisioned for “living a Marist life”.

Ministering in the Philippines

In the Philippines Marist Sisters are found ministering in Davao. It is always a joy for the sisters when they are able to connect with other members of the Marist Family. Recently they welcomed new members of the Marist Fathers community

The Sisters in the Philippines engage in a number of ministries that see them reaching out to bring hope and dignity to others. Their ministry includes spiritual and pastoral support in their local parish,  dental services for those in jail, Planning support for ex-inmates and reaching out to those impacted by a recent earthquake.

 

Asia-Pacific Leaders Meet

The Leaders of the four Marist Sisters Units in the Asia-Pacific Region met recently in Davao, The Philippines. Srs Catherine (Australia), Jane Frances (Aotearoa-New Zealand), Lavinia (Fiji) and Sheila (the Philippines) spent a week together focusing on issues such as Marist Life and mission, formation at all stages of life, sharing of resources, developing leadership skills and mutual support for those in leadership. While in Davao the sisters also visited Balay Banaag (a hostel administered by the Marist Sisters) and participated in a Sunday Eucharist at the local jail where members of the Marist family, including our Sisters, minister.

Easter Joy

Happy Easter from the Marist Sisters

During this sacred time when we celebrate
the great event of our redemption
may we all experience deeply
the joy, the peace and the hope
that is ours because of
our Risen Saviour.

 

Novena to St Peter Chanel

Each year for the nine days leading up to the feast of St Peter Chanel, Marists throughout the world pray through the intercession of St Peter Chanel for vocations to the Marist Family.

St Peter Chanel, a  Marist Father, was in the first group of Marist missionaries to Oceania.  Peter arrived in futuna in November 1937.  During his lifetime Peter saw little success in his work.  During his first six month on Futuna he baptised only one Futunian – a dying child. Early in the morning of April 28, 1841, Fr. Peter was wakened from sleep and clubbed to death, his skull split by the axe of a Futunian warrior. He was thirty-eight years old.  He was the first martyr of Oceania and the first Marist to be canonised.

You are invited to join us in praying that young people of today may, like Peter Chanel, respond generously to God’s call to follow Christ as Mary did. Download the novena prayer here.

 

Celebrating in Davao City

The Marist Sisters, Marist Laity and Marist Fathers led the joyous celebration of the Feast of Santo Niño, the patron of the Davao City Main Jail Chapel . This is an annual religious and cultural festival. Devotion to the Santo Niño (Holy Child), an image of Jesus as a small boy typically dressed as a king, is a mainstay of Philippine Catholic life.