The Marist Young Adult and Young Professional community is made up of students, recent graduates, and professionals across the United States who remain deeply connected to the Marist spirit. Members come from a variety of schools, universities, and cities, but share the same commitment to faith, service, and community. Many testify that being part of the Marist family has provided them with a sense of belonging, encouragement, and spiritual foundation that they could not find elsewhere.
Through retreats, pilgrimages, and leadership programs such as the Marist Youth Leadership Camp and the Encountering Christ retreat, members have discovered lasting friendships, support networks, and opportunities to deepen their relationship with God. These experiences have helped many navigate life transitions, whether from high school to college or into the workplace, reminding them that the Marist family is always a source of strength, hope, and inspiration.
For the young adults and professionals, being Marist means living with kindness, respect, family spirit, and love. It provides a way to give back by mentoring younger generations and ensuring that others feel seen, known, and loved. In a world often marked by loneliness and uncertainty, the Marist community offers connection, faith, and shared mission. Members express deep gratitude for the chance to live out Marist values beyond their school years, finding joy, stability, and hope in knowing that they are part of something bigger than themselves.
Journal and reflect on the following
What do the testimonies reveal about the importance of belonging and community in the lives of Marist young adults and professionals?
How do retreats, pilgrimages, and leadership camps strengthen faith and relationships within the Marist community?
In what ways do members describe the Marist community as a “family,” and why is this significant in today’s world?
How does being part of the Marist Young Adult and Young Professional network help individuals navigate transitions, such as moving from school to college or into the workplace?
What Marist values (e.g., kindness, respect, family spirit, love) stand out most in the testimonies, and how can these be applied in everyday life?
How do members see their role in mentoring and supporting younger Marists, and why is this cycle of support important for the future?
Why do young people today crave community, and how does the Marist family fulfill that need in ways other spaces may not?
Discuss
Song - Build your Kingdom
Final Prayer
Loving God, we thank You for the gift of the Marist family and the young adults and professionals who continue to carry the spirit of Mary into our world. Bless them with courage in times of uncertainty, hope in times of struggle, and joy in times of service. May their witness of faith, belonging, and love inspire others to feel seen, known, and cherished. Unite them always as a community of light, walking together with Mary and Marist Founders like John Claude Colin, Saint Marcellin Champagnat, Jean Maree Chavion and Francois Perrotton to bring Your presence into the lives of all they meet. Amen.
