A Certain Idea of the Society of Mary: Jean-Claude Colin

Having been invited to speak to you about Jean-Claude Colin on this celebration of the Bi-centenary of his birth, I could have prepared a carefully worked-out conference on one or other aspect of his life or attempted a synthesis of his personality, his contribution to the Church and to our religious families. In fact, I […]

The Work of Mary

The early Marists were convinced that Mary had chosen them to form a new family in the Church – one which would bear her name and do her work of saving souls. Theologically this claim cannot be “proved”; but nor on the other hand can it be “disproved” if only for the reason that theology […]

Our Marist Priesthood: Reflections on a Neglected theme

In our branch of the Marist Family there is an essential link, I have come to recognise, between our Marist calling and our vocation to the priesthood – a link that has been little reflected upon. Many Marists, I am sure, have had an experience similar to mine.  It was a decision to become a […]

The Metamorphosis of Mariology

In latter years mariology seems to have lost its nerve. In the wake of Vatican II what had once seemed a thriving industry, flourishing with a life of its own, slowed down and ground virtually to a standstill. On the whole this has been a good thing. It has allowed a breathing space, a time […]

Mary: Woman of Faith

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 of its great […]

Marist Roots: Our Shared Vision of the Past

On October 2,1868, Father Jeantin wrote Father Colin: Father David and myself found the house at Lyon still quite disturbed over your discussion with Father General in the dining room. Some very quick and very strong words were heard, and some would conclude from this that Father Founder is a victim of his nerves and […]

What do our Marist History and Charism call us to today?

“My Lord, this is the day the little Society of Mary begins. Mr. Declas arrived in Cerdon”. Thus starts a letter of Pierre Colin, pastor of Cerdon, to Bishop Devie of Belley. The letter is dated October 29,1824 (OM, doc.114). As it happens, we know it was received in Belley and answered the very next […]