Tag: Marists

Marists Unite in Praying for Vocations

St Peter Chanel sm Martyr of Oceania

Two events occur in April which call us to pray for vocations.  The feast of St Peter Chanel falls on 28th April.  For nine days prior to his feast Marists throughout the world unite in praying for vocations to the Marist Family.

This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of Paul VI’s instituting a day of worldwide prayer to God asking him to continue to send workers into the vineyard (cf Mt 9:38).  In 2013 World Day of Prayer for Vocations falls on Sunday 21st April.  This day also provides us with an opportunity to reflect on our own vocation and renew our commitment.

Download a reflection based on the Holy Father’s Message for the 50th Anniversary World Day of Prayer and join with us in praying for vocations.

Feast of the Holy Name of Mary

On 12th September each year Marists throughout the world celebrate the feast of the Holy Name of Mary.  This feast reminds us that we “belong by a gracious choice to the family of the Blessed Mary, Mother of God.  In her name we are called Marists”(Spirit of the Society of Mary by Jean Claude Colin S.M., Founder).  The feast is also an other opportunity for Marists to reflect on how Mary would have lived the gospel in our day.

Two New Zealand Marist Sisters have prepared a reflection for this year’s feast. The reflections may be downloaded here.

Feast of the Holy Name of Mary in Aotearoa-New Zealand

Feast of the Marist Family – Fathers, Brothers, Sisters and Laity.

We Marists, eager to retain the original inspiration and spirit of our Society, celebrate the name of Mary which Father Colin said should be “often on our lips and still more often in our hearts.” In doing so we recall Mary’s vocation and ours.

As part of a project initiated as our annual assembly, each sister was asked to invite one or two people to join us for prayer and afternoon tea on our feast, the Holy Name of Mary. A short prayer was prepared during which the sisters renewed their vows. It also included a time of sharing what being associated with the Marist sisters meant to those who came:
Some of the comments were:

  • It is a privilege to be part of the Marist family where one finds gracious hospitality
  • There is evidence of prayerfulness which shows forth in action
  • Marist means for me is ‘family’ – Mary is the mother of us all
  • Simplicity – A sense of frazzle and fragmenting disappears when I’m with the Sisters
  • I like the humbleness of Mary that comes through in their vocation of serving the Lord in the “other’
  • Marist means merciful love of God that is made evident in their way of life
  • Always ready to help the ‘needy’

The communities reported that it was a joy-filled afternoon, with a number of people hoping to come again for such a gathering.