Marist Renewal of Commitment. (PHOTO by Rev. Roque)
Marists celebrate 200th founding anniversary
Marist Renewal of Commitment. (PHOTO by Rev. Roque)
It was on the same date way back in 1816 when 12 diocesan priests and seminarians made the steep walk up to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fourvière in France and signed a pledge to found a congregation of ‘Mary-ists’. Among the 12 was Fr. Jean-Claude Colin, SM, who became the first Superior General of the Society of Mary, and St. Marcellin Champagnat, SM, founder of the Marist Brothers.
Two hundred years later, those gathered in Davao made a dawn pilgrimage to the Shrine of Sto. Niño where Mass was celebrated and a re-dedication of commitment signed. The event was marked by joy and thanksgiving for the gift of the Marist charism. Many participants spoke of their hope that the next 200 years will see many more men and women consecrated to Marist life in service of the Church.
Who are the Marists?
Founded in the wake of the French Revolution, the Society of Mary was instrumental in the survival and renewal of the Church during turbulent times. At the behest of Pope Gregory XVI, the fledgling congregation also sent the first missionaries — including St. Peter Chanel — to Western Oceania and founded several local churches throughout the Pacific. Since then, the Society of Mary has spread throughout the world. The Philippines is part of the District of Asia, which also includes Thailand.
With the priests and brothers of the Society of Mary, the Marist family also includes: the Marist Sisters, the Marist Brothers, the Marist Missionary Sisters, and several associations of Marist lay people.
Marists take Mary as their model. They follow Christ as she did. They aim to “think, judge, feel and act” as Mary at all times. As the Constitutions of the Society of Mary express it: “Their call is to be truly missionary: they are to go from place to place, announcing the word of God… They attend especially to the most neglected, the poor, and those who suffer injustice. They are ready to carry out these tasks anywhere and at any time.”
Here in the District of Asia, ministries include: Works of Mercy (Prison ministry in Davao and Digos, HIV-AIDS ministry in Thailand), Caring of the Young (Campus Ministry – Davao, School for Burmese migrants – Thailand, Balay Pasilungan home for street boys – Davao), and Support of the Local Church like establishing a new parish in Mati, Digos, and Interreligious Dialogue (Marist Asia Foundation – Thailand).
To know more about the Society of Mary, contact them in one of the following ways:
Website: www.maristasia.org,
Facebook: Marist Fathers Asia,
Mobile: 09288757096,
and e-mail: maristvocations@gmail.com. (Fr. Damian Dempsey)
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