Society of Mary (Marianists)

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The Society of Mary is a Catholic religious congregation of brothers and priests called the Marianists or Marianist Brothers and Priests. The community was founded by William Joseph Chaminade, a priest who survived the persecutions of Catholics during the French Revolution.

The Marianists look to Mary as a model for faith and spirituality, and they feel that the best ways to live a spiritual life is to share their faith with others, work with the poor, and to educate and nourish the mind, the body, and the soul. Their mission statement has been recently updated to describe and focus their mission in the United States:

"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."

In the Marianist Province of the United States, the Society runs 3 universities, 18 high schools, 6 elementary/middle schools, and 11 parishes. In each of these institutions, the Characteristics of Marianist Education guide the curriculum. These five characteristics are:

To educate for formation in faith
To provide an integral, quality education
To educate in family spirit
To educate for service, justice, and peace
To educate for adaptation and change.

Men who pursue a vocation with the Society of Mary follow an intense formation process forcing 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 who they contact regularly. The next step is the Aspirancy - a 10-month live-in with an actual Marianist community. Aspirants work in a ministry to further their understanding of Marianist spirituality and their 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 considering his call to the order.

At the end of the Novitiate, Temporary Vows are professed. These vows must be renewed every year 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.

The Marianists can be found all over the world, and in the United States, they are concentrated in Honolulu, Hawaii, St. Louis, Missouri, Dayton, Ohio, Cincinnati, Ohio, and San Antonio, Texas. The largest educational institute operated by the Marianists is the University of Dayton. Actor and activist Martin Sheen has credited his dedication to public causes to his Marianist education at Chaminade-Julienne High School in Dayton, Ohio.

External links

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