Society of Mary (Marianists)

For other uses, see Society of Mary (disambiguation).

The Society of Mary, a Roman Catholic Marian Society, is a congregation of brothers and priests called The Marianists or Marianist Brothers and Priests. The Society was founded by Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, a priest who survived the anti-clerical persecution during the French Revolution. The Society is one of the four branches of the Marianist Family. Along with the other branches, the Marianist Brothers and Priests look to Mary as a model of faith and spirituality. They believe that the best ways to live a spiritual life are to share their faith with others, work with the poor, and educate and nourish the mind, the body, and the soul.

A series of articles on Roman Catholic Mariology
General articles Overview of Mariology • Veneration of the Blessed Virgin • History of Mariology
Marian Movements & Societies Sodality of Our Lady Marians of the Immaculate Conception Company of Mary (Montfort) Marianists (Society of Mary) Marist Fathers Marist Brothers Schoenstatt Movement Legion of Mary Blue Army of Fatima Marialogical Society Our Lady's Rosary Makers Marian Movement of Priests America Needs Fatima Fatima Movement of Priests
Expressions of devotion Art • Music • Architecture
Specific articles Apparitions • Saints • Popes • Dogmas and Doctrines

Marianists around the world

There are 1,560 Marianists: 500 priests, including three bishops; and 1,060 brothers, on four continents and in 30 countries. The Marianists say that they "devote the major part of their efforts to inculturation to become rooted in new countries, in Asia and Africa, and also to be in tune with the surrounding cultures that challenge us and that we call modern or postmodern."^[1]

Formation process

Men who pursue a vocation with the Society of Mary follow an intense formation process that leads them to examine themselves and their spirituality. The first step to becoming a Marianist is to be a Contact. Contacts learn about the order and themselves through retreats and through the guidance of a Marianist whom they contact regularly. The next step is the Aspirancy - a 10-month journey of living with a Marianist community and following its daily practices. Each aspirant works in a ministry to further his understanding of Marianist spirituality and his own faith. At the end of this period, one enters the Novitiate, which is a 20-month period divided over 2 years. During that time, the novice learns about the order, and spends time deeply discerning his call to the order.

At the end of the Novitiate, the novice professes Temporary Vows. He must annually renew the vow for at least 3 years. At the end of that time, the brother can decide to enter into Perpetual Profession, in which the brother professes the vows of poverty, chastity, obedience, and stability. In addition, some brothers study to become priests at the International Marianist Seminary in Rome, Italy.

Marianists in North America

Canada

The Marianists are active in Canada, where The Most Reverend Raymond Roussin, S.M., D.D., one of their number, is a former Archbishop of Vancouver.

The United States

The United States is home to two Marianist provinces: the Province of the United States and the Province of Meribah.

The Province of Meribah, which became separate in 1976, operates only in the Diocese of Rockville Centre on Long Island, New York. There it runs an educational complex: Chaminade High School, Kellenberg Memorial High School (including the Bro. Joseph C. Fox Latin School Division, for sixth-, seventh- and eight-graders); and St. Martin de Porres Marianist School (pre-k though eighth grade). It also runs three retreat houses.^[2] The Provincial of the Province of Meribah is Brother Thomas Cleary, S.M.^[3] Since the Province of Meribah was created, it has maintained the common life of prayer, the common dress of the religious habit, and the common apostolates of education. The brothers' motto, Servire Quam Sentire, captures well the spirit which animates the members of the Province. They seek to put their own fears and reservations aside, and to serve the Lord with gladness and with joy.^[4]

The Province of the United States recently updated their mission statement as follows:

"Empowered by the Holy Spirit and inspired by the dynamism of Blessed Chaminade's charism, we —- brothers and priests —- vowed religious in the Marianist Family, live in community as equals. Through lives of prayer and Gospel service, we dedicate ourselves to the following of Jesus Christ, Son of God become Son of Mary. Wherever we are sent we invite others to share in Mary's Mission of making Christ present in every age and culture by forming persons and communities of apostolic faith that advance justice and reconciliation. Committed to education, we minister with youth and in solidarity with the poor."^[5]

Members of the Marianist Province of the United States are concentrated in Honolulu, Hawaii; St. Louis, Missouri; Dayton, Ohio; Cincinnati, Ohio, and San Antonio, Texas. The Province runs three universities (including the Marianists' largest educational institution, the University of Dayton), 18 high schools, 6 elementary/middle schools, and 11 parishes. Actor and activist Martin Sheen has credited his dedication to public causes to his Marianist education at Chaminade-Julienne High School in Dayton, Ohio. Marianists were instrumental in the creation and operation of Most Holy Trinity H.S in Brooklyn, NY from 1915 to 1972^[6] and Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory in Hollywood, Florida.

Marianists in Europe

France

The Marianists remain active in France, where they first were founded. The Society's Province of France includes 117 brothers and priests in 18 "houses," or community residences, in France, Belgium and Tunisia. Fifty members are posted to the Ivory Coast and Congo region. Within the French Province, the Marianists operate eight schools. They also run three spiritual centers (at La Madeleine, St. Avold and Le Vic), two residences for university students, and an extensive scholarship program for Marianist schools. In addition, they serve in youth ministry, pastoral work and hospital chaplaincy.^[7]

Italy

The Marianists' world headquarters are located in Rome, Italy.

Ireland

In 1967, Archbishop John Charles McQuaid of Dublin invited Marianists from the United States to establish a mission in Ireland. Still part of the Province of the United States, the Irish Marianists operate St. Laurence College in Loughlinstown, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown. They have also been active in diocesan youth ministry, school and prison chaplaincy, drug rehabilitation, work for peace and justice, and parish work. Four Irish Catholics have permanently joined the order since 1976.

Spain

In 1977, the Marianists in Spain established the Santa Maria Foundation, which publishes Marianist Editions and organizes pedagogical programs.^[8]

Switzerland

Fr. François Kieffer, a French Marianist priest, established the Villa St. Jean International School in Fribourg, Switzerland in 1903, which operated until 1970.^[9]

Marianists in Latin America

Argentina

The Marianists (1917) founded their school in Buenos Aires in the neighborhood of Caballito. It is still located there.^[10]

Chile

The Marianists have been active in Chile since 1948, invited by Cardinal Jose Maria Caro. In 1982, the order formed the Province of Chile, along with the Province of Argentina, by dividing the Province of the Andes. The Marianists' educational institutions in Chile include Colegio Santa María de la Cordillera, Colegio Parroquial San Miguel, Instituto Miguel, and Instituto Linares.

Peru

The Marianists have founded various educational institutions suchvarious educational institutions such as >Santamaria.edu.pe</ref> Colegio Santa Maria Marianistas, Colegio Maria Reina Marianistas,^[11] Colegio San Antonio Marianistas, Colegio San José Obrero Marianistas^[12] and El Instituto Chaminade Marianistas.

Puerto Rico

The Marianists have been active in Puerto Rico since 1938 when Colegio San José was founded. It is considered as one of the leading educational college preparatory institutions of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

Marianists in Africa

Marianists came to Africa as missionaries in 1946. They are active in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, and Tunisia.

Kenya

They operate Our Lady of Nazareth primary school and the IMANI counseling, job training and child care center in Narirobi; and another such center, the Mastianist Development Project, in Mombassa. They serve members of the Sudanese Diocese of Rumbec in northwest Kenya. They operate the St. Bakhita Formation Center, with a seminary and training schools for nurses, teachers and catechists. In 1925, they founded the prestigious Mang'u High school (Mangu High School) in Kenya.

Malawi

The Marianists' projects are the Chaminade Secondary School and M.I.R.A.C.L.E., a rural job-training service for youths orphaned by AIDS.

Zambia

The Marianists teach at Matero Boy Secondary School, reach out to the alumni of that school, and help the surrounding diocese by celebrating mass with their neighbors.^[13]

References

1. ^ Marianist.org
2. ^ Foundershollow.org
3. ^ Provinceofmeribah.org
4. ^ Who We Are
5. ^ Marianist.com
6. ^ MHTbrooklyn.org
7. ^ Marianist.com
8. ^ Fundacionsantamaria.org
9. ^ Villa St. Jean International School
10. ^ Marianista.edu.ar
11. ^ Mariareina.edu.pe
12. ^ Sanjoseobrero.edu.pe
13. ^ Catholicweb.com

External links

• Society of Mary - Lincolnshire Wards
• Marianist International Home Page
• Marianists Around the World
• Marianist Newsletter
• Marianist Vocation Site
• Marianist Province of the United States Home Page
• Marianist Family In Ireland
• Marianist Family in Spain Home
• Marianist Family in Chile
• Marianists of France
• Swiss Marianists
• Marianists in Eastern Africa
• Santa Maria Foundation
• Society of Mary of Paris - Catholic Encyclopedia article

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