Living ‘in the spirit of Mary’

Sydney
10 August 2003

Catholic MPs told to oppose same-sex ‘marriage’ moves

Medical equipment shipped to islands

Honour a ‘bolt from the blue’

Blessing for the infertile

Your gifts send Susan to Lourdes

Landmark dates for Fr Joe, escapee

Bishops applaud refugee move

Liberal arts focus at Campion College

Faith, ecology network

Editorial: Tale of a tiger

Letters: Move the world?

Vocation Awareness Special: Are you doing what God’s calling you to?

Living ‘in the spirit of Mary’

Mercy at the heart of a vocation

Marie’s Song of Mercy

Children of the rock - John Paul II

Kim received faith ‘through God’s words’

People you meet are the ‘best thing’ for a priest

Divisions cast aside

Voice of youth: Downside to benefits of plurality

Tribute to the man in the bus shelter

Living ‘in the spirit of Mary’

The Society of Mary is an international congregation of priests and brothers with communities in Europe, Africa, North and South America, Japan, the Philippines, the South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia.

It began in France in the early 19th century and is part of the wider Marist Family sisters, brothers, lay people and priests.

The priests and brothers of the Society of Mary endeavour to live their lives and minister to the needs of people “in the spirit of Mary”.

They are known less for their devotion to Mary than their call to identify with her. Their vision is to “think as Mary, judge as Mary, feel and act as Mary in all things” (SM Constitutions). Drawing inspiration from the role that Mary played at Nazareth and at Pentecost, Marists take the early Church as a model for their community life and for their style of ministry.

As apostolic religious, they seek to combine missionary enthusiasm with prayerful contemplation. The Society of Mary is not limited to a particular ministry.

Marists endeavour to respond to the needs of people however and wherever that response might call them.

Marists can be found working in adult education, in secondary schools as teachers and chaplains and in parishes.

They are involved in Aboriginal ministry, youth work, assisting refugees, retreat work and spiritual direction. They provide counselling and support for people in prison and for the needy.

If you would like to speak to a Marist, either to discern God’s call to religious life or to gain more information about the Society of Mary, you are welcome to contact the Vocation Promoter, Fr Ray Chapman, SM, by telephone (02) 9247 3525 or you can email vocations@maristfathers.org.au

Alternatively you can glean more information about the Society of Mary by visiting the Marist Fathers’ and Brothers’ website, www.maristfathers.org.au