What is the relevance of Mary and of a religious order that bears her name for our modern world?
We Marists believe that the Blessed Mother has a particular care and concern for this age in which we live — this age some describe as being secular. People who live in this secular age guard their freedom jealously. They tend to be suspicious of institutions, especially religious ones. They do search for the truth, but they must be persuaded and convinced before giving their consent. Fr. Jean-Claude Colin, our founder, understood that God had asked the Blessed Mother to intervene in this secular age; that is, to become personally involved and to reach out to people who have grown suspicious and distrustful of the Church. Like her Son, she has a special concern for the poor and the marginalized of our world — the weakest who are also the most vulnerable. Fr. Colin understood that the Society of Mary was to bring her spirit to the Church and to the world. Marists should live the Gospel in such a way that people who are alienated from the Church or have no Church affiliation observe th
