SPIRITUALITY
The Marist vocation is to be Mary’s presence in the world today, to breathe Mary’s spirit. We are called to imitate Mary in our way of life and ministry, inspired to “think as Mary, judge as Mary, feel and act as Mary in all things.”
This is our way of entering into God’s plan of unconditional love for all people expressed in the incarnate Son of God, Jesus, who was born of Mary. To live the gospel in Mary’s way.
Marist spirituality is defined through a series of key phrases, insights, images and symbols.
Mary in the House of Nazareth
Nazareth is the place where Marists go in spirit to be able to see things as Mary sees them. At Nazareth, she pondered and stored up in her heart the events of the life of Jesus. For Marists, Nazareth is the place where slowly, silently, unobtrusively Jesus grew in wisdom and inner strength. Nazareth is also an approach to life to help us ‘ponder the things of God’ and treasure them in our hearts. It is a place of the heart: a place of gentle silence and faith, a place of growth.
Mary in the Early Church
Mary was present with the apostles and disciples at Pentecost and in the early Church. In an unobtrusive manner, her faith and wisdom had much to contribute to the life of the Church at its beginnings. Her presence was a quiet, unassuming one and as Marists we aim to be present in the world in the same way.
Hidden and Unknown
The phrase “hidden and unknown” describes the manner of being present in the world and gives inspiration to us as a motto. It is a call to simple, modest and humble action. The focus on the task rather than who is doing it – it is a way being and doing. For Fr Colin, the founder of the Society of Mary, being, “hidden and unknown” was the only way to do good. To imitate Mary in this way is not to hide away but to be engaged fully in life, in a simple, gentle, humble manner.
Instruments of Divine Mercy
As Marists we are called to become “instruments of divine mercy”, to portray the compassionate face of God. Thus we build a Church which is perceived, not in terms of power, control, organisation and competitiveness, but rather in terms of community, fellowship, simplicity and mercy. It is by our compassionate service that people will see we are Jesus’ disciples and experience his love. It is the Work of Mary to embrace and welcome all into our communities, schools, outreach initiatives, to the exclusion of no one.
A Marian Church
The founding generation of Marists lived through the turmoil of the French Revolution when society was trying rebuild itself. They saw that the best way to win the human hearts and minds of their time was to ‘begin a new Church’ and leave behind the old image of an all powerful institution which had all the answers. What was needed was a humble and discrete Church, that does not seek privilege and influence but dedicates itself to work in service of the common good in an inclusive and compassionate fashion, especially for the least in society. This is a vision of Church with the face of a woman, Mary, the mother of Jesus and his first disciple, reflecting the Gospel of mercy and compassion.
A brief reflection on the characteristics of a Marian Church can be found in this text by François Marc, sm: ‘Plea for a Marian Church’.