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Society of Mary (Marianists)

Coordinates: 41°54′4.9″N 12°27′38.2″E / 41.901361°N 12.460611°E / 41.901361; 12.460611
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For other uses, see Society of Mary (disambiguation).
Society of Mary
Societas Mariae (Latin)[1]
AbbreviationS.M. (post-nominal letters)[1]
NicknameMarianists
Formation2 October 1817; 207 years ago (1817-10-02)[1]
FounderBlessed Fr. Guillaume Joseph Chaminade, S.M.[1]
Founded atBordeaux, France
TypeClerical Religious Congregation of Pontifical Right (for men)[1]
Location
  • General Motherhouse
    Via Latina 22, 00179 Rome, Italy[1]
Coordinates41°54′4.9″N 12°27′38.2″E / 41.901361°N 12.460611°E / 41.901361; 12.460611
Members930 members (309 priests) as of (2020)[1]
Motto
Latin
Servire Quam Sentire
English
Serve with Feeling
Rev. Fr. André Fétis, S.M.[1]
Ministry
Educational work
Parent organization
Roman Catholic Church
Websitewww.marianist.org
Part of a series on the
Mariology
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Immaculate Conception by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (c. 1675)
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The Society of Mary (Latin: Societas Mariae), abbreviated SM, is a clerical religious congregation of Pontifical Right for men (brothers and priests) commonly known as the Marianists or Marianist Brothers and Priests. Members append the post-nominal letters "S.M." to their names to signify membership.[2] Founded by William Joseph Chaminade, a priest who endured the anti-clerical persecution during the French Revolution, the Society was established on October 2, 1817, in Bordeaux, France.[3] It is one of four branches of the Marianist Family, all of which emulate Mary as a model of faith and spirituality, emphasizing sharing faith, serving the poor, and educating the whole person—mind, body, and soul.[4]

Marianists around the world

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As of 2020, the Society comprises approximately 930 members, including 405 priests, two bishops, and over 500 brothers, operating across four continents and 38 countries.[1] The Marianists prioritize inculturation, embedding themselves in local cultures, particularly in Asia and Africa, while adapting to modern and postmodern societal challenges.[5]

Formation process

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The path to becoming a Marianist involves a rigorous formation process. It begins with the Contact phase, where individuals explore the congregation through retreats and guidance from a Marianist mentor.[6] This is followed by Aspirancy, a 10-month period of living in a Marianist community and engaging in ministry to deepen understanding of the spirituality.[6] Next, the Novitiate lasts 20 months over two years, focusing on discernment and learning about the Society’s mission.[6] After the Novitiate, a novice professes Temporary Vows, renewable annually for at least three years, before committing to Perpetual Profession of poverty, chastity, obedience, and stability.[7] Some brothers pursue priesthood at the International Marianist Seminary in Rome.[1]

Marianists in North America

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Canada

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In Canada, the Marianists have been active, notably with Archbishop Raymond Roussin, S.M., who served as head of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver from 2004 to 2009.[8]

United States

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The U.S. hosts two Marianist provinces: the Province of the United States and the Province of Meribah. The Province of Meribah, established in 1976, operates solely in the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York, managing schools like Chaminade High School, Kellenberg Memorial High School, and St. Martin de Porres Marianist School, alongside five retreat houses.[9] Its Provincial is Brother Timothy S. Driscoll, S.M., and its motto is Servire Quam Sentire ("Serve with Feeling").[10]

The Province of the United States, with a mission statement updated in recent years, emphasizes community living, education, and service to the poor, inspired by Chaminade’s charism.[11] It operates in cities like Honolulu, St. Louis, Dayton, Cincinnati, San Antonio, and Omaha, managing three universities—University of Dayton, St. Mary's University, Texas, and Chaminade University—plus numerous schools, retreat centers, and parishes.[12] Notable alumnus Charles J. Pedersen, a 1987 Nobel laureate in chemistry, attended a Marianist school and university.[13]

Marianists in Europe

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France

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The Marianists remain active in their founding country, France, with the Province of France comprising 112 members across 17 communities in France, Belgium, and Tunisia, and 58 in the Ivory Coast and Congo.[14] They operate eight schools, three spiritual centers, and various ministries, including youth work and chaplaincy.[15]

Italy

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The Society’s world headquarters is in Rome, Italy, at Via Latina 22.[1]

Ireland

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In 1967, the Marianists established a mission in Ireland at the invitation of Archbishop John Charles McQuaid, operating St. Laurence College and engaging in youth ministry and chaplaincy.[16]

Spain

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Since arriving in 1887, the Marianists have established 15 schools, including the prestigious Colegio del Pilar, and founded the Santa Maria Foundation in 1977 for educational programs.[17]

Switzerland

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Fr. François Kieffer founded the Villa St. Jean International School in Fribourg in 1903, which operated until 1970.[18]

Marianists in Latin America

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Argentina

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Since 1932, the Marianists have run schools in Buenos Aires, Junín, and Nueve de Julio, including the Colegio Marianista in Caballito.[19]

Chile

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Active since 1948, the Marianists formed the Province of Chile in 1982, operating schools like Colegio Santa María de la Cordillera.[20]

Peru

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The Marianists manage several schools, including Colegio Santa Maria Marianistas and Instituto Chaminade Marianistas.[21]

Puerto Rico

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Since 1938, the Marianists have operated Colegio San José, a leading preparatory school.[22]

Marianists in Africa

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Since 1946, Marianists have served as missionaries in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, and Tunisia.[23] In Kenya, they run Mang'u High School and various community projects.[24]

Marianists in Asia and Australasia

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Philippines

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Since 2004, the Marianists have operated in Davao City, managing Balay Pasilungan for street children.[25]

Japan

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Since 1887, the Marianists have established schools like Gyosei Gakuen in Tokyo.[26]

Australia

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The Marianists ran St Paul’s College in Melbourne until 1985 and established Marianist College Frankston, which merged into John Paul College in 1977.[27]

Causes of Canonization

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Blesseds

Venerables

  • Domingo Lázaro Castro (declared Venerable 2019)[33]
  • Faustino Pérez-Manglano Magro (declared Venerable 2011)[34]
  • Vicente López de Uralde Lazcano (declared Venerable 2023)[35]

Servants of God

Raymond Halter[36]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Society of Mary (S.M.)". G Catholic. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  2. ^ "Society of Mary". Marianist Province of the United States. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  3. ^ "Society of Mary of Paris". Catholic Encyclopedia. New Advent. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  4. ^ "The Marianist Family". Marianist Province of the United States. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  5. ^ Arnaiz, SM, Jose Maria (2006). "The Society of Mary (Marianists)". Marianists.org. Archived from the original on 2006-08-21. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  6. ^ a b c "Marianist Vocations". Marianist Province of the United States. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  7. ^ "Formation Process". Marianist Province of the United States. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  8. ^ "Archbishop Raymond Roussin, S.M." Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  9. ^ "Province of Meribah". Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  10. ^ "Who We Are". Province of Meribah. Retrieved 2025-03-22. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)
  11. ^ "Mission Statement". Marianist Province of the United States. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  12. ^ "Ministries". Marianist Province of the United States. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  13. ^ "Charles J. Pedersen - Biographical". NobelPrize.org. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  14. ^ "Accueil". Marianistes.com (in French). Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  15. ^ "Nos Missions". Marianistes.com (in French). Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  16. ^ "Our History". Marianist Province of the United States. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  17. ^ "Santa Maria Foundation". Retrieved 2025-03-22. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)
  18. ^ "Our History". Marianist Province of the United States. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  19. ^ "Colegio Marianista Buenos Aires". Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  20. ^ "Our History". Marianist Province of the United States. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  21. ^ "Colegio Santa María Marianistas". Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  22. ^ "Colegio San José". Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  23. ^ "Africa Ministries". Marianist Province of the United States. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  24. ^ "Precious Blood Girls tops list". Daily Nation. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  25. ^ "Development of Marianists in the Philippines". Marianist Life In Asia. 2012-09-16. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  26. ^ "Our History". Marianist Province of the United States. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  27. ^ "Our History". Marianist Province of the United States. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  28. ^ "Beatification of Guillaume-Joseph Chaminade". Vatican.va. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  29. ^ "Beatification of 498 Spanish Martyrs". Vatican.va. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  30. ^ "Beatification of Carlos Eraña Guruceta". Vatican.va. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  31. ^ "Beatification of Jakob Gapp". Vatican.va. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  32. ^ "Beatification of Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon". marianist.com. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  33. ^ "1935". newsaints.faithweb.com. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  34. ^ "1963". newsaints.faithweb.com. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  35. ^ "1990". newsaints.faithweb.com. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  36. ^ "1998". newsaints.faithweb.com. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
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