Marianist

The Society of Mary (, abbreviated S.M.) is a clerical religious congregation of Pontifical Right for men (brothers and priests) commonly known as the Marianists or Marianist Brothers and Priests. Members append the post-nominal letters "S.M." to their names to signify membership. Founded by William Joseph Chaminade, a priest who endured the anti-clerical persecution during the French Revolution, the Society is one of four branches of the Marianist Family, which includes the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (FMI), Alliance Mariale, and Marianist Lay Communities. The Marianists draw inspiration from Mary as a model of faith, emphasizing a spirituality of service, education, and community. They aim to share their faith, work with the marginalized, and foster holistic education of the mind, body, and soul.

History

The Society of Mary was founded on October 2, 1817, in Bordeaux, France, by Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, a priest driven by a vision to restore Christian vitality in post-Revolutionary France. During the French Revolution (1789–1799), Chaminade faced exile and persecution but remained committed to revitalizing the Church through lay and religious communities. Inspired by Mary's role in salvation history, he established the Society to form apostolic communities dedicated to education and evangelization. The Marianists received papal approval as a religious congregation in 1891, affirming their mission within the Roman Catholic Church.

The Society grew rapidly, establishing missions and educational institutions across Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Today, it continues to adapt its mission to contemporary challenges, emphasizing inculturation and collaboration with laypeople to advance justice and reconciliation.

Marianist charism and spirituality

The Marianist charism is rooted in the spirituality of Blessed Chaminade, who saw Mary as the model of discipleship and mission. The Society's motto, ''Servire Quam Sentire'' ("Serve with Feeling"), reflects its commitment to compassionate service and community living. Marianists live as equals in community, whether as brothers or priests, and strive to emulate Mary's faith by fostering apostolic communities that make Jesus Christ present in every culture. Their spirituality emphasizes:
* Faith of the Heart: A personal and communal relationship with Christ through Mary.
* Community Living: Brothers and priests live as equals, sharing prayer, work, and mission.
* Mission of Education: Forming individuals and communities through holistic education.
* Service to the Marginalized: Working in solidarity with the poor and promoting social justice.

Marianists around the world

As of 2020, the Society of Mary comprises approximately 930 members (309 priests, two bishops, and over 600 brothers) across four continents and 38 countries. The Marianists prioritize inculturation, rooting themselves in local cultures, particularly in Asia and Africa, while addressing modern and postmodern cultural challenges. Their global presence includes educational institutions, retreat centers, parishes, and social justice initiatives.

Formation process

Men discerning a vocation with the Society of Mary undergo a rigorous formation process to deepen their spirituality and commitment. The stages include:
* Contact: Prospective members explore the Marianist life through retreats and regular guidance from a Marianist mentor.
* Aspirancy: A 10-month period of living in a Marianist community, participating in daily practices and engaging in ministry to discern their calling.
* Novitiate: A 20-month program over two years, focusing on spiritual discernment, study of the institute’s history, and deepening prayer life.
* Temporary Vows: After the novitiate, candidates profess temporary vows of poverty, chastity, obedience, and stability, renewing them annually for at least three years.
* Perpetual Profession: Brothers may make perpetual vows, committing to a lifelong mission. Some pursue priesthood at the International Marianist Seminary in Rome, Italy.

Marianists in North America

Canada

The Marianists are active in Canada, notably through the late Archbishop Raymond Roussin, S.M., D.D., who served as head of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver from 2004 to 2009. They engage in educational and pastoral ministries, including youth programs and parish work.

United States

The United States hosts two Marianist provinces: the Province of the United States and the Province of Meribah.

Province of Meribah

Established in 1976, the Province of Meribah operates exclusively in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre on Long Island, New York. It manages an educational complex including Chaminade High School, Kellenberg Memorial High School (with the Bro. Joseph C. Fox Latin School Division for grades 6–8), and St. Martin de Porres Marianist School (pre-kindergarten through grade 8). The Province also operates five retreat houses: Emmanuel Retreat House, Stella Maris Retreat House, Saragossa, Meribah, and Founder's Hollow. The Provincial is Brother Joseph D. Bellizzi, S.M. The Province emphasizes prayer, education, and the motto ''Servire Quam Sentire''.

Province of the United States

The Province of the United States updated its mission statement to reflect its commitment to Blessed Chaminade’s charism:

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 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.

The Province operates in Honolulu, Hawaii; St. Louis, Missouri; Dayton, Ohio; Cincinnati, Ohio; San Antonio, Texas; and Omaha, Nebraska. It manages three universities (University of Dayton, St. Mary's University, Texas, and Chaminade University), 18 high schools, 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 5 retreat centers, and 7 parishes. Notable alumni include Charles J. Pedersen, 1987 Nobel laureate in chemistry, who attended the University of Dayton.

Marianists in Europe

France

The birthplace of the Society, France remains a significant hub with 112 brothers and priests across 17 communities in France, Belgium, and Tunisia, with 58 members in the Ivory Coast and Congo region. The Province of France operates eight schools, three spiritual centers (La Madeleine, St. Avold, and Le Vic), two university residences, and a scholarship program. Ministries include youth work, pastoral care, and hospital chaplaincy.

Italy

The Marianists’ world headquarters is in Rome, Italy, at Via Latina 22. The General Motherhouse oversees global operations and houses the International Marianist Seminary.

Ireland

Since 1967, invited by Archbishop John Charles McQuaid, the Marianists have operated St. Laurence College in Loughlinstown, Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown, under the Province of the United States. They engage in youth ministry, school and prison chaplaincy, drug rehabilitation, peace and justice initiatives, and parish work. Four Irish Catholics have joined the Society since 1976.

Spain

Since 1887, the Marianists have operated in Spain, establishing the Santa Maria Foundation in 1977 for publishing and pedagogical programs. They run 17 schools, including the prestigious Colegio del Pilar in Madrid, and others like Santa Ana y San Rafael.

Switzerland

Fr. François Kieffer, S.M., founded the Villa St. Jean International School in Fribourg, Switzerland, in 1903, which operated until 1970. The school was known for its international student body and rigorous academic programs.

Marianists in Latin America

Argentina

Since 1932, the Marianists have operated in Buenos Aires, founding a school in Caballito in 1935, with additional presence in Junín, Nueve de Julio, and General Roca, Río Negro.

Chile

Active since 1948, the Marianists established the Province of Chile in 1982. They operate institutions like ''Colegio Santa María de la Cordillera'', ''Colegio Parroquial San Miguel'', ''Instituto Miguel León Prado'', and ''Instituto Linares''.

Peru

The Marianists manage several schools, including ''Colegio Santa Maria Marianistas'', ''Colegio Maria Reina Marianistas'' (founded 1965), ''Colegio San Antonio Marianistas'', ''Colegio San José Obrero Marianistas'', and '' El Instituto Chaminade Marianistas''.

Puerto Rico

Since 1938, the Marianists have operated Colegio San José, a leading college preparatory school in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

Marianists in Africa

Since 1946, Marianists have served as missionaries in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Togo, and Tunisia.

Kenya

The Marianists run Our Lady of Nazareth primary school, the IMANI counseling and job training programs, and a child care center in Nairobi, alongside the Marianist Development Project in Mombasa. They support the Sudanese Diocese of Rumbec and operate the St. Bakhita Formation Center for seminarians, nurses, teachers, and catechists. They founded Mang'u High School in 1925, a prestigious institution.

Malawi

The Marianists manage Chaminade Secondary School and MIRACLE, a rural job-training program for AIDS-orphaned youth.

Zambia

They teach at Matero Boys Secondary School, engage with alumni, and support the local diocese through liturgical services.

Marianists in Asia and Australasia

Philippines

Since 2004, the Marianists have focused on Davao City, establishing a community on October 2, 2004. They adopted Balay Pasilungan, a program for street children, in 2005, accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Japan

Since 1887, the Marianists have operated schools like Gyosei Gakuen in Tokyo (1888), Kaisei Gakuen in Nagasaki (1891), Osaka Meisei Gakuen in Osaka (1898), and St. Joseph School in Yokohama (1901).

Australia

The Marianists manage St Paul's College, Altona, established in 1969, and were involved in founding John Paul College, Frankston, a coeducational school formed in 1977 through a merger with Stella Maris College. The schools reflect Marianist heritage through named facilities like Chaminade Library and McCoy Hall.

Causes of canonization

Blesseds
* Guillaume-Joseph Chaminade (1761–1850), founder, beatified on 3 September 2000.
* Miguel Léibar Garay and 3 Companions (died 1936), martyrs of the Spanish Civil War, beatified on 28 October 2007.
* Carlos Eraña Guruceta and 2 Companions (died 1936), martyrs, beatified on 1 October 1995.
* Jakob Gapp (1897–1943), priest martyred by Nazis, beatified on 24 November 1996.

Venerables
* Domingo Lázaro Castro (1877–1935), priest, declared Venerable on 13 May 2019.
* Faustino Pérez-Manglano Magro (1946–1963), postulant, declared Venerable on 11 January 2011.
* Vicente López de Uralde Lazcano (1894–1990), priest, declared Venerable on 19 January 2023.

Servants of God
* Raymond Halter (1925–1998), priest.

Notable contributions

The Marianists have made significant contributions to education, social justice, and evangelization. Their universities, such as the University of Dayton, are recognized for academic excellence and research. The Society’s emphasis on holistic education integrates intellectual, spiritual, and social development, influencing thousands of students globally. Their work with marginalized communities, such as street children in the Philippines and AIDS orphans in Malawi, reflects their commitment to social justice. The Marianist Family’s collaborative model, involving laypeople and religious, has become a blueprint for modern Catholic apostolates.

References

External Links

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Marianists
Religious organizations established in 1817
Catholic Mariology
Catholic religious institutes established in the 19th century
1817 establishments in France