Society of Mary
The Society of Mary founded Marist School in downtown Atlanta in 1901.
A religious order established in France in 1836, the Society of Mary is one of four Marist branches, including the Marist Brothers of the Schools, Marist Sisters, and the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary. Importantly, the Marists also recognize and encourage lay people to sustain their mission. All Marists have a sense of being chosen and called by Mary—a gracious choice, in their words—to live compassionately and mercifully as she did as mother and first disciple of Christ.
In all they do, Marists engage in the work of Mary, as understood by Society of Mary founder Jean-Claude Colin. They work toward spreading throughout the world a spirit that is gentle, loving, humble, relational, compassionate, open, inclusive, and merciful.
Every day at Marist School, we build on the spiritual heritage established by the Marists as we advance our school’s mission to form the whole person in the image of Christ and sustain our distinctive Marist spirit and values.
Marist School Rector
Father Bill Rowland, S.M. is the rector of Marist School and our liaison to the Society of Mary. Previously serving as school president from 2017-2023, Fr. Rowland works directly with Marist School President J. D. Childs to ensure the continuation of the Catholic identity and Marist charism that are hallmarks of the school thrive.
Standards and Expectations of Marist Schools
The Society of Mary provides guidance to its schools on how to preserve and renew the educational vision of their founder, Jean-Claude Colin. Marist School aligns its academic and extracurricular programs to ensure we advance the unique Marist mission into the future.
Marist Way Reading Room
The Marist School Library houses the Marist Way Reading Room, featuring an extensive collection of books about the Society of Mary. Rotating displays of artifacts highlight the Marists' global contributions since their founding by Father Jean-Claude Colin in 1816. This reading room serves as a permanent resource, enriching the school community's understanding of the Marists' impact on the Catholic Church and Marist School.
learn more about the marist way
Learn More About the Society of Mary
Society of Mary
U.S. Province
Jean-Claude Colin
Founder of the Society of Mary
Society of Mary Global Network
Marists Around the World
Society of Mary-sponsored Organizations
The Marist School community is enriched by two Society of Mary organizations hosted on campus.
Reach for Excellence
Reach for Excellence is a tuition-free academic and leadership enrichment program that empowers determined learners and expands their possibilities in the classroom, in the community, and in life. Reach offers students of limited income a mix of academic, cultural, and community-based experiences that prepare them for the challenges of college-preparatory programs and high schools. Founded by the Society of Mary in 2001, Reach for Excellence's programs follow a student's 6th, 7th and 8th grade years and includes weekend and summer sessions.
Centro Hispano Marista
Centro Hispano Marista offers young, Hispanic adults an opportunity to obtain their GEDs. Established by the Society of Mary in 2012, Centro also includes faith formation as part of the curriculum. Instructors and other volunteers include Marist students, staff, and priests. Weekly classes are held on Tuesday evenings from September to May, and the program serves more than 700 students a year.
Society of Mary News
![The Lourdes Ministry at Marist School Brings Healing, Faith, and Hope to the Community]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1730206929/maristcom/nzh96nwazc0ly1amlb5c/OurLadyofLourdes-4.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1730206929/maristcom/nzh96nwazc0ly1amlb5c/OurLadyofLourdes-4.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1730206929/maristcom/nzh96nwazc0ly1amlb5c/OurLadyofLourdes-4.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1730206929/maristcom/nzh96nwazc0ly1amlb5c/OurLadyofLourdes-4.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1730206929/maristcom/nzh96nwazc0ly1amlb5c/OurLadyofLourdes-4.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1730206929/maristcom/nzh96nwazc0ly1amlb5c/OurLadyofLourdes-4.jpg","width":2200}])
![A Summer Pilgrimage to Marist France Nourishes an Indelible Spirit]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1727286165/maristcom/qi3dpbmwb8rpxy3pmytk/Pilgrimmage-1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1727286165/maristcom/qi3dpbmwb8rpxy3pmytk/Pilgrimmage-1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1727286165/maristcom/qi3dpbmwb8rpxy3pmytk/Pilgrimmage-1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1727286165/maristcom/qi3dpbmwb8rpxy3pmytk/Pilgrimmage-1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1727286165/maristcom/qi3dpbmwb8rpxy3pmytk/Pilgrimmage-1.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1727286165/maristcom/qi3dpbmwb8rpxy3pmytk/Pilgrimmage-1.jpg","width":2048}])
![Marist School Launches Bearing Witness Institute for Interreligious and Ecumenical Dialogue]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1727285076/maristcom/xlawvaribwqlmpfyiuds/SeptemberMSN-2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1727285076/maristcom/xlawvaribwqlmpfyiuds/SeptemberMSN-2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1727285076/maristcom/xlawvaribwqlmpfyiuds/SeptemberMSN-2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1727285076/maristcom/xlawvaribwqlmpfyiuds/SeptemberMSN-2.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1727285076/maristcom/xlawvaribwqlmpfyiuds/SeptemberMSN-2.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1727285076/maristcom/xlawvaribwqlmpfyiuds/SeptemberMSN-2.jpg","width":2200}])
![Students Recreate Historic Fresco in Marist Way Reading Room]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1724700190/maristcom/voqln7mzzzed7djpcex3/AugustMSN_Mural-5.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1724700190/maristcom/voqln7mzzzed7djpcex3/AugustMSN_Mural-5.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1724700190/maristcom/voqln7mzzzed7djpcex3/AugustMSN_Mural-5.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1724700190/maristcom/voqln7mzzzed7djpcex3/AugustMSN_Mural-5.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1724700190/maristcom/voqln7mzzzed7djpcex3/AugustMSN_Mural-5.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1724700190/maristcom/voqln7mzzzed7djpcex3/AugustMSN_Mural-5.jpg","width":2200}])