For more than 20 years Jane Langham has worked in the Marist Laity office, and on 6 June she signed the promise making her a Marist Associate.
The ceremony took place as part of a retreat day for Marist Laity from various parts of New Zealand at the Home of Compassion Island Bay, Wellington.
Among the women on retreat were members of New Zealand Marian mothers’ groups, whom Jane supports through her ministry.
The official witnesses were Marist Laity co-ordinator, Bev McDonald and Fr Neil Vaney, Vicar Provincial of the Society of Mary in New Zealand.
“I have ‘been Marist’ in spirituality for several years, but it had never been suggested to make the official commitment,” Jane Langham said in an email.
“Making the commitment is standard for all members of the Third Order groups, and under Bev’s leadership, it has become increasingly common for people to become individual members of the Association of Mary.
“I am happy for this to ‘go public’ if it encourages other employees of the Society to think about their relationship to Marist spirituality and if it encourage them to consider a formal commitment”, she said.
Quick to point out the Marist Laity office has all the formation and information material anyone might want, Jane suggested that Marist religious might consider promoting Marist spirituality to those who are associated with them in ministry.
Clarifying the title, “Marist Associate” Jane understands it is an abbreviation of the original Colinian title for Lay Members of then Association or Confraternity of Mary for the perseverance of the just and conversion of sinners.
Marist Laity co-ordinator Bev McDonald emphasises the Marist Associate commitment does not depend on people’s ability to attend group meetings, but is their own personal commitment to Mary and her Society, she said.