Society of Mary, Marists in the U.S.

Doing the Work of Mary

Marists are men and women who strive to live the Gospel the way Mary lived it. We are scattered to the four corners of the world but united in one heart and one mind under the patronage of Mary, the mother of Jesus. We gather into religious congregations and lay movements: The Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary, the Marist Sisters, the Marist Brothers, the Priests and Brothers of the Society of Mary, and many lay groups of Marist inspiration.

Today, we continue in the venture to renew the spirit and mission of the Church as a place of collaboration and true spiritual enrichment.

We invite you to discover that true strength is found in gentleness. Marist spirituality invites us to embrace this liberating truth, which comes to us from the heart of God, by following Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Like Mary, we too can hear the gentle rhythms of the grace of God in our lives by making our own her manner of thinking, judging, feeling, and acting.

Mary's way is a direct path to the divine heart of mercy.

From Our Founder
	"Messieurs, may we never rely on anything but God. How I want that seed to grow in the Society! I want us to pass unnoticed in the Church: quasi ignoti (as if it were unknown), unnoticed from every point of view. I should not even like us to be conspicuous by our piety. Let us have a simple, ordinary piety, with nothing remarkable about it." (FS 24:1) MEET OUR FOUNDER, JEAN-CLAUDE COLIN>

Seasonal Reflection

Mary, Woman of Faith

The Annunciation by Henry Ossawa Tanner
Philadelphia Museum of Art

One of the surprising effects of the Second Vatican Council on the life of the Church in recent years has been the dramatic drop in practical devotion to Mary. And this is all the more surprising when we recall that the Council itself spoke most beautifully of Mary in the last chapter [8]of its great Constitution on the Church.

Moreover, Pope Paul VI actively encouraged devotion to her by proclaiming her "Mother of the Church" and recommending a contemporary form of devotion most eloquently in his apostolic exhortation Marialis Cultus (1974). The official teaching on Mary has never been better.

ENJOY THE COMPLETE SEASONAL REFLECTION>

Marist Thoughts

From the experience of early Marist days, Jean-Claude Colin was convinced that it is not necessary to have great talent, or learning, or even great holiness to become a Marist. What is needed are individuals who can be useful instruments of God's mercy, people who are free to set aside their own interests and plans in favor of those of Jesus and Mary, and who can put themselves in the shoes of the other person. Father Colin is challenging us in a sense to submit ourselves to others rather than impose ourselves on them. This allows the other person to hear more clearly not us, but the Good News of Jesus Christ (The Work of Mary: Marist Laity in the Society of Mary).

THE MARIST WAY
	What's New (March 2014) New Parish Story (Feb. 2014) A School Story (March 2014) A Donor's Story A Marist Remembered (March 2014) 150th Anniversary Celebration
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	Seasonal Reflections (Jan. 2014) Sunday Reflections Pray With Us Spiritual Reflections About Mary Take Five (March 2014)
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