On April 29, 1836, the infant Society of Mary received official approbation from the Church through a letter from the mission-minded Pope Gregory XVI.

The Holy Father and the Congregation ‘Propaganda Fide‘ were looking for missionaries to send to the distant south-west Pacific. Marist Founder, Jean-Claude Colin, responded: ‘We will work on whatever distant shore… ‘. 

As the Marists remember this historic day, we invite you to listen to the song Hail Mary by Marist Priest Kevin Bates from his album Threads.

Picture Caption: Image of stained glass window from St. Mary’s Manor Chapel in Penndel, Pennsylvania. St. Mary’s Manor served as the minor, or preparatory, seminary for the Society of Mary from 1920 until the 1960s. The window is currently displayed at Marist College in Washington DC.

On this feast of St. Peter Chanel the Marists invite you to view the video “The Life of St. Peter Chanel” produced by The St. Peter Chanel Family Faith Formation group.

Joy of Fraternity

Besides the boundless personal joy which Peter and Marie-Nizier felt at the arrival of their confreres, it made a great difference to their own standing among the islanders… For the next few days the visitors toured the island; Peter, always eager to assert his neutrality between the two factions, took five of them to stay a few days in Singave, where, for the first time, he had the happiness of celebrating Mass, along with his confreres. While there they made the acquaintance of King Vanai, with whom they had breakfast. The newcomers had apparently brought some musical instruments with them; an organ (presumably a very small one) and an accordion are mentioned. These created a great impression. Music was played at the Mass on Whit Sunday, but the joy of the feast was marred some what by the departure of Peter’s confreres later that day. (Graystone, St Peter Chanel, Pg. 31)

Prayer for Vocations
Lord Jesus, you gave to the Church, the Society of Mary and the people of Oceania, St Peter Chanel, as an example of gentleness, compassion and love in action. Welcome many young men and women into the Marist Family, as priests, brothers and sisters. Help us to share our charism with lay people throughout the world and to work in partnership with them in mission for the good of your Church and the world. This prayer we make to the Father in Your name through the Holy Spirit. Amen.

(Picture: St. Peter Chanel sunken relief sculpture, Marist School, Atlanta, Georgia)