Vocations - Who first attracted you to the Marists?

1. Who first attracted you to the Marists?
The first attracted to me to the Marists was the simplicity to live the faith, they offer a close relationship, a great experience of community and the personal spiritual accompanying. My first experience was in a university Parrish, in Toluca, México, a place aimed at the young students.

2. What do you like about the Marist lifestyle?
I love the Marist way, the possibility to do the things as Mary did, to take part of the “action” but unknown, to be a God’s instrument.

3. What is your best experience as a Marist in the missions?
When I was young, I enjoyed the missions in the rural communities, especially during the Holy week, but now I can say that my best missions experience as a Marist is with my wife Monica and my sons (María, Paola and Carlos Sebastián), is a great challenge to try to live in the Marist way day to day.

4. What advice would you give a young person considering religious life?
Pray, go to the mass frequently, listen to the God’s call and dare to discover if the religious life is your vocation.

5. Who is your favorite Marist figure?
I admire the Colin’s perseverance, the Chanel’ tenderness, the Champagnat’s compassion, the Chavoin’s strength and the Perroton’s passion, but maybe I can identify me with a simple man, Etienne Déclas, a man without the skill to preach but the capability to share the love’s God.

From :

Jorge (Marist Laity)
2022-12-4

Toluca, México

1. Who attracted you to the Marist?
The first attracted me to the marist are the Marist Fathers. They organized a group of lay marist when they arrive in Digos City Philippines and I one of the pioneer. I am attracted with the ministry, Mother Mary, about the founders of the Marist and their mission.

2. What do like about the Marist lifestyles?
I like the Marist lifestyles about the ministry in jail. We bring our presence together to listen the gospel of God and to have a faith sharing after the sharing we have choir practice to the inmates to use the song for the mass, serving the Mass. Being a lay Marist its good to share the time or give time in sharing the talents in service, visit the sick, visit the person who is not in jail already or person that are out of jail already and more.

3. What is your best experience as a Marist in the mission?
My best experience in the mission is being together with the inmates. Also I can see the total conversion of some inmates. Inmates also know how to forgive the people that they are the reason they are in jail. Inmates know how to pray. Inmates also know that there is God and mother Mary to protect us, to care, to love and to forgive. Also the faith that I can see them that there is really God our savior.

4. What advice would you give a young person considering religious life?
Through Prayer, invite, participating church activities, attending the mass, charity work, sense of belonging.

5. Who is your favorite marist figure?
St. Peter Chanel. A young priest with a great success.....many people were converted.

From :

Gemma (Marist Laity)
2022-11-28

Davao, Phillipines

It was a Marist father who introduced me into the Marist life and spirituality. I was a nine-year-old boy and he was an musician who taught young children and youth to play several musical instruments. I started playing accordion, getting involved in the parish life, then playing in the Sundays masses and, little by little, extending my contribution to the cathecism groups, as well as Easter or summer activities with other young people all over the country. That was the way I got to know the marist life and spirituality.

From :

David (Lay)
2022-11-27

Madrid, Spain

I first met Brothers as an 8yo in Grade 4. Brothers who taught me were mostly genuine, simple men who enjoyed being with us. I recall Friday afternoons volunteering to help polish the classroom floors. It was not detention Afterwards the Brothers would join us to play cricket in our postage-stamp size school yard or kick the footy for a while. Just genuine engagement.

From :

Mark (Brother)
2022-11-27

Australia

I was working in Jamaica and experienced a call to religious life. I visited the congregations there and stayed with each one. In the SMSM community, I was attracted by their simplicity and by the way they did the washing up I noted that they did the washing up together and were joyful in the way as they did it.

From :

Jennifer (Missionary Sister)
2022-11-27

Sydney, Australia

My father and grandfather are both ex-Marist students and I was also encouraged to attend a Marist school. I suppose at 12 years of age, you simply say yes, or do you? Attending a Marist school and having the Marist brothers as my surrogate dads gave me opportunities I never thought possible. All I did was say yes to being Marist. It meant travelling, singing, playing sports at highly competitive levels, and of course developing as a faith leader. After I finished school, I realised that Marist is more than being a student or teacher. I noticed it was about relationships. I found I was lost when I left school and went to university, so I contacted my previous school through Br Bryan Davis and began helping with the youth off the streets style program offered by the Marist brothers with Br Bill Sullivan and Br Tony Leon. I worked with kids who couldnt live at home and had a desire to do well at school despite their challenges. They lived in a mini-boarding home. I was lucky enough to live with them as a big brother. Living with these kids along with the Marist brothers led me to the aspirancy stage of being a brother. For two years, I lived, shared in meals and prayers, and celebrated with Marist brothers. I knew that being Marist were the through-lines of my life in order to best live out the Gospel message. Being in community with and being mentored by these brothers instilled a sense of Marian purpose. They were compassionate, determined, life long learners and highly aware of who they are. Although I chose not to follow in the Brotherly religious vocation, I, along with many lay Marists before me, choose to aspire every day to be Marist in our single or married vocations.

From :

Matthew (Marist Association Member of Marcellin Champagnat)
2022-11-26

Australia

I had grown up with only little religion. I was confirmed by a priest in the Catholic church in the suburb Freshwater in 1985. About 2012 the Sister in my local church influenced me to worship where Marist priests minister. I am not good at remembering what year I did what. The Fathers were very patient with me. They helped me greatly with my faith. Now I am back in the local church. The Sister still does pastoral work there.

From :

Guenter (Marist Laity)
2022-11-26

Sydney, Australia

I went to a Marist school as did my uncles. I became a teacher and my second position was at my alma mater.

From :

Paul (Marist Association Member of Marcellin Champagnat)
2022-11-25

Australia

I was taught by the Marist Sisters for four of my seven years in primary school. Years later when I felt drawn to religious life I spent months researching various congregations and reflecting on experiences with other religious Sisters. Even as a child I had felt at home with the Marist Sisters who had shared with us in everyday tasks, had not set themselves apart, just seemed to be ordinary, loving women. It was only when I was in the Noviciate and able to read a book which included much of Fr. Colins thought and quotes from him, that I recognised this Marist spirit. It was this which drew me to Marist living.

From :

Mary (Sister)
2022-11-24

Australia

During my first year of teaching, a student teacher came once a week to practise on my class. Dressed in blue and white she was the first Marist Sister I had ever seen. I found her very natural and easy to talk to. At the end of the term I confided my dilemma - I wanted to give my life to God but in which congregation? She listened very attentively and then asked if she may write to me as she was going away on mission. I felt so supported She never once tried to push the Marist vocation but genuinely helped me explore other options. In the end Marys gracious choice was clear.

From :

Vivienne (Marist Sister)
2022-11-23

Rome, Italy

The comment box adds a new dimension to the conversation area of the site. -- 1

From :

Ron (Father)
2022-11-23

Australia

Who first attracted me to the Marists was one of our SMSM Sisters. She was on a time of renewal, and I was at a time of exploring more deeply where I felt God was calling me. Initially this searching was not about Mary, but as the years have passed this part of my SMSM life has grown the most. My first impulse was towards missionary and religious. Often my prayer is that I can simply show a little of Marys spirit and the Marist charism to those I daily interact with.

From :

Vicki (Sister)
2022-11-23

Australia

I was attracted to the Marist way of life by the Brothers who taught me at school. They were hardworking and intelligent, but more importantly, genuinely humble and approachable.

From :

Peter (Brother)
2022-11-23

Australia

I was attracted to the Marists through my connection with multiple Marist Sisters at St Margaret Marys Merrylands and Cerdon College Merrylands. I was so taken by their spirit, humanity, humility, prayerfulness and care, that I joined them Though I transferred to Marist laity, I was profoundly formed by my experience with the Sisters, over decades, and am deeply grateful.

From :

Cathy (Lay)
2022-11-22

Sydney, Australia

My first contact with the Marists was through a Marist Brother who invited me to come and stay at Marist Farmhouse in Mittagong. I did not go to a Marist school. This was my first contact. I was studying at university at the time. Marist Farmhouse was a retreat centre for Young Adults and Marists. I did not fully know what I was getting myself in for. I had to trust. I did not know Brother Chris. Chris rang me and said Andrew I want you to come down to Marist Farmhouse. I followed the invitation.

From :

Andrew (Marist Laity)
2022-11-21

Australia