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The Marist Family … a tree with several branches From the Society of Mary’s inception, the vision was for an order that would include everyone: priests, sisters, brothers, lay men and women. Today, the Marist family includes the Marist Brothers of the Schools, Marist Sisters, Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary, the Society of Mary (Fathers and Brothers), and lay Marists – Marist Laity, Marist Associates, and the Third Order of Mary. All Marists are engaged in the “work of Mary” as understood by founder Jean-Claude Colin (1790-1875). In everything they do – and more, in the unassuming attitude they present – they reflect “the face of Mary” to the Church and the world.

The Work of Mary Still Calls

… striving to work together for the greater glory of God and the honor of Mary,
Mother of the Lord Jesus…

With this assertion, the foundation of the Society of Mary was born. On July 23, 1816, twelve young men in Lyons, France – on the day after their ordination to the priesthood – walked up the steep hill of Fourviere to the shrine of Our Lady and pledged their lives to the service of others in the spirit of Mary. This was no light matter.

Hills near the hometown of the Marist founder, Jean-Claude Colin.

On the heels of the French Revolution, priests and religious were imprisoned, tortured, and often killed for their fidelity to their faith. Yet each young man felt personally “called” by the Church’s Mother and first disciple to live a life of compassion and mercy and to proclaim boldly the Good News of Jesus Christ during that tumultuous time. Their inspiration was to receive and bear the mind and heart of Mary: steadfast in faith, gentle in exercising power, comforting and reconciling, prophetic and always pointing to the saving grace of her Son.

Lay Marists and Marists visit the church at Neyliere, an early site of the Marists.

Mary was present to Jesus throughout his life and guided him to take his first steps into public ministry at the Wedding of Cana. She shared his suffering at the foot of the Cross. She sat with the grieving and confused apostles in the Upper Room after Jesus’ death. She supported the early Church that was birthed by the Holy Spirit. And she continues to work with today’s disciples to see the Gospel of the Lord rebirthed amidst the challenges of contemporary society.