Society of Mary

Marist Fathers New Zealand: Life and spirit

Marist vocation

40 young people attend Marist vocations jamboree

Around 40 young people gathered recently in the Philippines for the 2017 Marist Vocation Jamboree.

The theme of this year’s Jamboree was “Share the gentle presence of God to the world, as Mary did.”

Held in Matti District Catholic Centre, Brgy. Matti, Digos City, the event was hosted by the Marist Fathers’ Community in Matti, and facilitated by the vocations directors of the Marist Fathers, Marist Sisters, and Marist Missionary Sisters.

The event introduced the Marist vocation to the young people and was a combination of lectures, reflection and sharing, games, and prayer.

Several participants expressed their delight in the experience and look to furthering their contact with the Marists.

Source: Marist Asia

Combined SM formation proposed for brothers

A conference of Society of Mary Brothers is recommending brother candidates for the Society receive their initial formation in the Marist Community at Tutu.

Further formation would take place at Marist College.

This is one from a number of initiatives proposed by the conference.

Society of Mary Brothers Conference meets in FijiThe conference, held at Lomary, Fiji, May 9 – 13 also recommended the Tutu formation programme be made known to other units in the Society so that brother candidates from these units can attend.

Key to the success of these and wide range of conference initiatives is that a formation programme be developed specifically for the formation of brothers and that a brother be the key formator.

The meeting was also particularly keen to have the brothers vocation be promoted in the Marist units of Africa, Brazil and the Philippines.

A Society of Mary brother is a vow religious committed to prayer, community and apostolic life as outlined in the Constitutions of the Society.

The history of the Society of Mary is rich with stories of early French Marist priests and brothers working together, and brothers have long been involved in a variety of works in the Society, including:

  • Catechesis – in schools and parishes teaching faith and morals
  • Working in parishes in collaboration with the laity in youth programs, Seminars, conferences, assisting in giving instruction and preparation for the sacraments.
  • Teaching in Schools, Vocational centers and adult education.
  • Involved in international and provincial formations houses
  • Working as bursars and administrators
  • Being ministers of Communion, visiting the sick and elderly
  • Being chaplains to hospital and prison, spiritual directors and counsellors.

The recommendations are due to be discussed this week by a combined meeting of leaders from Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Oceania.