Befriending and showing confidence in young people … are important means by which we allow youth to know our mother Mary’s compassion and concern as an expression of the Father’s love for them. This is what it is to push out past the boundary of ourselves to … meet the needs of others … this instinct animates the missionary spirit of the Marists and instills a call to serve God by serving others, seeking to bring all into Christ’s Church as Mary did.

Stabat Mater
O our Mother, fount of love,
touch my spirit from above;
Help us love as you have done.

Marists are called for a deep, personal relationship with Mary, without, however, making her the central focus. Our emphasis is on living like Mary, adopting her faith, her point of view, her whole approach to life. In a most profound sense, this means to make Mary present to our world today.

Stabat Mater
Can the human heart refrain?
From partaking in her pain,
In that Mother’s pain untold?

When Marists look to Mary they always see her as a person, an individual in relationship with God the Father, with her Son, Jesus, and with the Holy Spirit, as well as in relationship with the Church and with the contemporary world.

Stabat Mater
Is there one who would not weep,
Whelmed in miseries so deep,
Christ’s dear Mother to behold?

The Gospels allow us to look at how Mary’s presence provided comfort and support to the apostles. For catechists, Mary’s presence is expressed by putting people before you. Supporting others by giving them the knowledge, strength and wisdom to help others build their relationship with God … This will build a community of believers with “one mind and one heart.”

Stabat Mater
Christ above in torment hangs,
She beneath beholds the pangs,
Of her dying glorious Son.