Marist Way

Strengthening the Distinctive Marist Spirit

The Marist Way describes a certain way of living the Gospel and that is the way Mary lived it as understood by the Society of Mary. Marists strive to breathe in the Holy Spirit so that in all things they may think, judge, feel, and act like Mary, the first disciple of Jesus and model of discipleship. To live the Marist Way is to be engaged in the work of Mary.

Society of Mary Founder Jean-Claude Colin prescribed what it means to be Marist, defining the spirituality, themes, and values that Marist School works to advance as it seeks to fulfill its mission in education.To maintain and deepen the Marist ethos of the school and to advance its mission, the Marist Way forms and develops individuals in the spirit of the Society of Mary by promoting a life of prayer, community, learning, service, and vocation.

All members of our school community are invited to partner with the Society of Mary in advancing the mission of Marist School.

Mike Coveny, Marist Way Director

Five Pillars of the Marist Way of Life

Prayer

Community

Learning

Service

Vocation

Marist Core Values

Trust in God

Discipleship

Tasting God

Tasting God is a metaphor for spiritual experience derived from Psalm 34:9, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Fr. Colin likely came across the phrase in the writings of the Catholic mystics. It seems to express for him the power of spiritual experiences of God’s grace to transform a person. Fr. Colin used the terms in the context of spiritual direction or seminary spiritual formation.

Union with God

Pentecost

Fr. Colin suggested two situations where we might find the spirit of the Society of Mary: 1) the life of the Holy Family at Nazareth and 2) Mary and the Apostles in the early Church. Marists sometimes abbreviate these key spiritual events as “Nazareth” and “Pentecost,” although the latter is misleading because Fr. Colin was thinking more of the time after Pentecost rather than the events in the Upper Room.

Called by Gracious Choice

The phrase “they belong by gracious choice to the family of Mary” is found in the Constitutions of the Society of Mary in the article on the Spirit of the Society. It refers to the Marists’ belief that they have been chosen to be Marists. Who does the choosing is not specified. Ultimately it is God, the source of every grace, but the early Marists believed that Mary played a part in choosing who should belong to her Society.

One in Mind and Heart

The phrase “...that at the end of time as at the beginning, all the faithful may with God’s help be one heart and one mind in the bosom of the Church” comes from the description of the early community of believers in the Acts of the Apostles 4:32. This text inspired many religious founders to propose it as the ideal to be lived by their communities. Fr. Colin was somewhat unique in that he presented it to Marists not only in reference to community life, but also as the goal of Marist ministries.

Doing the Work of Mary

“Doing the work of Mary” is a phrase used by all the Marist founders to characterize the Marist project. The idea was that it was Mary’s initiative that inspired Jean-Claude Courveille to work toward the establishment of the Society of Mary, and she helped to make it happen. As a result, the Society was Mary’s work and her creation. Marists are called to busy themselves with the work of Mary by working to get the Society established—the task for the founding generation—and by maintaining it, so that Mary might impact the Church and the world through the Marists. The ministry of Marists is characterized as “doing the work of Mary.”

Church with a Marian Face

“Church with a Marian face” is adapted from a phrase that Marist Historian Fr. Jean Coste used in his article, “Toward a Marian Vision of Church: Jean-Claude Colin.” Derived from his meditation on Mary in the early Church, Fr. Colin saw a utopian vision of what the Church could be based on certain aspects of the Marist spirit. This was an ideal that the Marist approach to ministry might help realize.

Nazareth

Nazareth is the town in Galilee in Israel where Jesus spent the first 30 years of his life before embarking on his public ministry. Nazareth was a place and time of intimacy for Mary and Joseph, and of growth in wisdom and grace. Fr. Colin used it as a symbol for several aspects of Marist life—the time in seminary formation before engaging in ministry; any time taken out from the active ministry to engage in contemplation and spiritual renewal; the life of the proposed contemplative branch of the Society of Mary (a project he was not able to realize); and the act of placing oneself at some distance from one’s active ministry to get a different perspective. Fr. Colin said, “I place myself in Nazareth and from there I see what I must do.”

Hidden and Unknown

“Hidden and unknown” is a phrase that from early on has characterized the Marist approach to ministry. Marists were to carry out their ministries in such a way that they themselves might remain “unknown and as if hidden in the world.” Fr. Jean-Claude Colin said, “When God speaks to a soul He says much in a few words. For instance, that phrase: ‘unknown and hidden in the world.’” In English the phrase is usually stated in reverse order: “hidden and unknown in the world.”

Humility

Simplicity

Saying No to Greed, Power, and Pride

Fr. Colin told his fellow Marists that there were three fundamental points that should distinguish Marists. The three things that Marists should reject or say “No!” to are: the desire for material gain; the lust for dominative power; and the seeking of celebrity and prestige. Marist Historian Fr. Jean Coste suggests that these are the characteristics of Fr. Colin’s utopian vision of a “Marian Church,” the ideal that Marists try to realize through their Mary-inspired approach to ministry.

Ardent Love of Neighbor

Fr. Jean-Claude Colin, founder of the Society of Mary, wrote in the Constitutions of 1872 that ardent love of neighbor was a fundamental Marist value. In paragraph 49 of that document, this phrase was listed next to the following values: intimate union with God, humility, and self-denial (discipline). This value is a hallmark of the Marist way of life, and collectively, these four values are key to living and sharing the Marist Spirit.

Being Instruments of Divine Mercy

“Being instruments of divine mercy” is a phrase that expresses the way Marists characterize themselves in their ministry. When beginning a parish mission, Fr. Jean-Claude Colin and his fellow missioners announced to the people that, “God sends us into your parish to be the instruments, all unworthy though we be, of his mercy toward you.” He often spoke of what helps Marists to become instruments of the divine mercies—practice of the virtues, prayer, and study.

Doing What Others Cannot or Will Not Do

Marists always serve people on the margins, the least favored or forgotten. It is easy to forget that originally, Marist School in Atlanta was located in mission territory for the Catholic Church within the United States. The Marists founded Marist School in 1901 with the missionary spirit in their hearts. Throughout the world, Marists regularly serve in locations of the most need.

Missionary

Hospitality

Inclusiveness ( Making the Whole World Marist)

Fr. Colin once said, “Our aim is nothing less than to make the whole world Marist.” He probably had two things in mind—the potential for the Society of Mary to include everyone in its membership through the Lay branch; and the belief that the Gospel virtues and values of the spirit of Mary, which is the spirit of the Society of Mary, ought to be spread throughout the world.

Marist Way Themes

Each year at Marist School, we share a unique and purposeful theme that reflects the core values and teachings of the Society of Mary and its founder, Jean-Claude Colin. We rotate themes through a six-year cycle so that Marist students can experience as many of the core values as possible. Focusing on the designated theme throughout the school year, guides our celebration of the Marist Way and ensures the Society of Mary Spirit is thriving at Marist School.

Ardent Love of Neighbor

Marists share love with everyone they encounter and serve the ones who are most in need.

CORE VALUES

Be an instrument of divine mercy. Jesus taught us an ardent love, to “Love others as I have loved you” and treat others the way you want to be treated – that is, the “Golden Rule”. We receive mercy, we share mercy.
Do what others will not do. We reach out to the margins of society, where people are alone or forgotten. We serve wherever, whenever needs arise.

“And who is my neighbor? The one who treated him with mercy. Go and do likewise.”

Luke 10:29,37

Mary's Way of Life

Marists model their lives on Mary, the first disciple of Jesus.

CORE VALUES

Practice humility. Humility helps us to put God and others first.
Live with simplicity. Simplicity reminds us that God is the source of all our blessings.
Ponder Mary as a model for living. We are reminded of the ways that Mary, the mother of Jesus, pondered all things in her heart as Jesus was born in Bethlehem and grew in Spirit in Nazareth.

“And Mary kept all these things in her heart.”

Luke 2:19

The Work of Mary

Marists work to make Jesus known in the world.

CORE VALUES

Be as if hidden and unknown in the world. We are modeling the discipleship of Mary by not being the center of attention or focus.
Share a missionary spirit. We fulfill our mission by stepping beyond where we are and our comfort zone, building a kingdom of God to the ends of the earth.
Embrace a Marian outlook. We build a church that is outward-looking and inclusive, gathering and loving, as Mary was.

“Do whatever Jesus tells you.”

John 2:5

Discipleship

Marists spread the Gospel of Jesus throughout the world.

CORE VALUES

Realize you are called by gracious choice. We have been called by a gracious choice to serve others in the manner of Mary.
Reflect upon Mary at Pentecost. We are open to the Holy Spirit, inspired by the early Church after Pentecost to accept and live the Gospel of Jesus.
Be of one heart and one mind (cor unum et animam unam). We are one as we share the Gospel and build unity for the sake of the kingdom of God. We form a communion in mission.

“All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus.”

Acts 1:14

Relationship with God

Marists build a strong relationship with God and rely on God in good and troubled times.

CORE VALUES

Trust in God. We pray for a Spirit of trust in God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength.
Taste God. We “taste God” through deeper experiences with the Holy Spirit, reflections, and prayers, as well as when we ponder the mystery of God’s love.
Encourage union with God. We nurture peace in ourselves and with others when we seek oneness or “union with God.”

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.”

Luke 1:46

Faith in Contemporary Society

Marists work to make Jesus known in the world.

CORE VALUES

Say “no” to greed pride and power. We are aware of the attachments and excesses of modern society and how they challenge us to bear witness to faith in God.
Display a welcoming hospitality. We welcome ALL as brothers and sisters.
Be inclusive. We connect with others who may not feel they belong.

“Near the cross of Jesus, there stood his mother.”

John 19:25

Marist Way Initiatives

Our Lady of Lourdes Ministry

Partnering with the Marist ministry in Boston, we share water from the Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine and a statue of Mary as we trust in God's power to heal and comfort us physically and spiritually.

request the blessing of lourdes to your home

Marist Way Saturdays

To honor Mary as the inspiration for the Society of Mary, we celebrate in faith and fellowship a Saturday Mass monthly during the school year with time to discuss and enliven the Marist spirit following Mass. All are welcome.

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Being In Mary's Presence

Working with the Marist albergue (hostel) on the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain, Marist School volunteers host and serve pilgrims as they pursue one of the treasured pilgrimages of the Christian faith.

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