THE MARIANIST LAY COMMUNITIES (MLC)
by Margaret Cavanaugh
In 23 countries around the world, approximately 6000 lay Marianists in over 500 small communities gather to celebrate
and live their faith. They are ordinary people, married and single, young and old. They are teachers, farmers, architects,
scientists, students, social workers, writers, accountants and engineers.
Yet, they find ways in their lives and in the communities they form to build a more just and peaceful world and to grow in
faith and hope. They immerse themselves in the world around them and, in the spirit of solidarity, embrace the
limitations and express the yearnings of their own culture for fulfillment and harmony.
Like other members of the Marianist Family, they are called to this life by God and look to Christ's mother Mary as
protector, model and educator. In both the obscure and public aspects of their everyday lives, they seek to accept Christ's
Spirit and give birth to the Reign of God. They accept the invitation to "do whatever he tells you" to respond to the needs of
humanity.
Community is at the heart of their way of life. It is the way that they announce the Gospel. Building communities and
forming people who can build communities is the primary way that the mission is accomplished. Because society is
transformed by the action of groups, these communities affect social change and move closer to Chaminade's and
Adele's vision of a society of Christian values.
In February 1993, Marianist Lay Communities (MLC) formed a world organization. Local communities remain
autonomous, but now are grouped into regional, national, and world levels. The international organization promotes
unity and continuity and encourages dialogue, reflection, and mutual support. A leadership team and a general
assembly every four years constitute the organizational structure. The international leadership team participates in the
World Council of the Marianist Family, represents MLCs to ecclesiastical authorities, and ensures the presence and
participation of the International Organization of MLCs in international affairs and world Christian associations.
Partnership with religious Marianists—members of the Society of Mary and the Daughters of Mary Immaculate—is one of
the most important features and witnesses of the life of MLC's. Members of all branches of the Marianist Family join in
social justice efforts and in developing means of supporting a lifestyle that includes prayer, reflection on experiences in
today's world, and service to the Church. Marianists seek creative ways to offer special care, particularly to the poor and
the young. They can be found praying publicly for peace in the city where the Dayton Peace Agreement was signed, doing
missionary work in the Andes, providing financial assist promoting community development in Mexico or Peru, teaching
family programs in New York, and volunteering in hometown soup kitchens. In many places, lay Marianists play
leadership roles in institutions initiated by the religious branches, including schools, parishes, and publishing houses.
Religious Marianists enrich lay communities by offering perspective and guidance on spiritual development.
These activities should not overshadow the critical presence and insertion of values that lay Marianists, supported by
their communities, bring to their workplaces and families. The potential for the future action should not be neglected. As
a new worldwide organization, join efforts for human dignity, global economic justice, and the environment are on the
horizon and are, with Mary's intercession, not beyond reach.
by Margaret Cavanaugh
In 23 countries around the world, approximately 6000 lay Marianists in over 500 small communities gather to celebrate
and live their faith. They are ordinary people, married and single, young and old. They are teachers, farmers, architects,
scientists, students, social workers, writers, accountants and engineers.
Yet, they find ways in their lives and in the communities they form to build a more just and peaceful world and to grow in
faith and hope. They immerse themselves in the world around them and, in the spirit of solidarity, embrace the
limitations and express the yearnings of their own culture for fulfillment and harmony.
Like other members of the Marianist Family, they are called to this life by God and look to Christ's mother Mary as
protector, model and educator. In both the obscure and public aspects of their everyday lives, they seek to accept Christ's
Spirit and give birth to the Reign of God. They accept the invitation to "do whatever he tells you" to respond to the needs of
humanity.
Community is at the heart of their way of life. It is the way that they announce the Gospel. Building communities and
forming people who can build communities is the primary way that the mission is accomplished. Because society is
transformed by the action of groups, these communities affect social change and move closer to Chaminade's and
Adele's vision of a society of Christian values.
In February 1993, Marianist Lay Communities (MLC) formed a world organization. Local communities remain
autonomous, but now are grouped into regional, national, and world levels. The international organization promotes
unity and continuity and encourages dialogue, reflection, and mutual support. A leadership team and a general
assembly every four years constitute the organizational structure. The international leadership team participates in the
World Council of the Marianist Family, represents MLCs to ecclesiastical authorities, and ensures the presence and
participation of the International Organization of MLCs in international affairs and world Christian associations.
Partnership with religious Marianists—members of the Society of Mary and the Daughters of Mary Immaculate—is one of
the most important features and witnesses of the life of MLC's. Members of all branches of the Marianist Family join in
social justice efforts and in developing means of supporting a lifestyle that includes prayer, reflection on experiences in
today's world, and service to the Church. Marianists seek creative ways to offer special care, particularly to the poor and
the young. They can be found praying publicly for peace in the city where the Dayton Peace Agreement was signed, doing
missionary work in the Andes, providing financial assist promoting community development in Mexico or Peru, teaching
family programs in New York, and volunteering in hometown soup kitchens. In many places, lay Marianists play
leadership roles in institutions initiated by the religious branches, including schools, parishes, and publishing houses.
Religious Marianists enrich lay communities by offering perspective and guidance on spiritual development.
These activities should not overshadow the critical presence and insertion of values that lay Marianists, supported by
their communities, bring to their workplaces and families. The potential for the future action should not be neglected. As
a new worldwide organization, join efforts for human dignity, global economic justice, and the environment are on the
horizon and are, with Mary's intercession, not beyond reach.
| MARIANIST LAY COMMUNITIES |
