International Organization of Marianist Lay Communities

I (baptismal name), servant of God and child of the holy, Catholic, apostolic, and Roman Church give, dedicate, and devote myself to the Immaculate Conception of the most holy Virgin Mary. I promise to honor her and to spread devotion to her, as much as I am able, as Mother of Youth. May God and his holy Gospels help me!

With these words, the first Sodalists consecrated themselves to Mary on February 2, 1801. Today, there are 563 Marianist Lay Communities in 33 countries. Marianist lay women and men number over 7,000 around the world.

On January 22^nd, 2012, the Marianist Family celebrated the close of our Chaminade Year; commemorating the 250^th anniversary of the birth of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade. Together with Mother Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon and Marie Thérèse de Lamourous, Blessed Chaminade worked to re-evangelize post-revolutionary France. His method was to form faith communities that were to be a “spectacle of saints”. By their joy and enthusiasm, they would spread the faith by contagion. These communities gathered women and men for prayer, study, and mutual support. And these communities sent each member into the world as a Missionary of Mary.

We are the inheritors of this charism. It was a new method for the new times of early 19^th century France. In our 21^st century world, the method has proven to be prophetic. The Church has acknowledged this. Marianist Lay Communities are now canonically recognized by the Vatican as a Private Association of the Faithful.

This October, 2012, the Synod of Bishops will be meeting in a General Assembly to discuss the theme, “The New Evangelization and the Transmission of Faith”. As an Ecclesial Movement in the Church, we are called to study the roots of our charism and discern how we can be of service to this new evangelization. Our spirituality is rooted in the need for spreading the joy of the gospel message where it has been rejected or forgotten.

On October 11, 2012, the Church will enter into a Year of Faith. This date commemorates the 50^th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, and the 20^th anniversary of the promulgation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Faith, rooted in the Creed as it is prayed and lived, was vital to Chaminade’s spirituality. He believed that faith must go beyond the head. It must be embraced by the heart so it can be lived out with love and joy. The Year of Faith will be a graced moment for us, as Marianists, to study more deeply this Faith of the Heart.

Today, we celebrate the spiritual gift given to us. The Feast of the Presentation also marks the annual day of prayer for all in consecrated life. We unite in prayer with our sisters and brothers of the Society of Mary, The Daughters of Mary Immaculate, and the Alliance Mariale. In the months ahead, I pray that we will find ever new ways to deepen our commitment as an international community of communities. Together, with Mary always at our side, we can spread the good news of Jesus to all corners of the world.

Happy Feast Day to all!

Affectionately,

International Organization of Marianist Lay Communities

President

On January 10, we celebrate the day that Mother Adèle entered into eternal glory. We celebrate her life, and the inspiration she continues to be to us as a Marianist Family.

My affection for Adèle began back in 1997, when I first became involved in the Marianist Lay Network of North America. Living in the small prairie town of Neepawa, Manitoba, I felt distanced and cut-off from the rest of the Marianist world. But so was Adèle in her family`s home in France! I thought of her often, and of the good work she could do from a distance through her letter-writing.

The late 1990`s was the time when email communications and the internet were slowly becoming more accessible to us. It was to become the new letter-writing. Using my computer, I was able to communicate with Marianists around the world. And, not just communicate. I made many friendships across the miles. We shared our lives and our Marianist stories. We supported each other in our works and in our prayers. How exciting it was when I would receive an unexpected email from one of our `Marianist greats`. I remember the day that dear Fr. Quentin Hakenewerth wrote a short note to me. Our MLCs in Winnipeg had been reading and studying his works since the late 1970`s. And now I could share my appreciation with him.

Our recent e-Christmas card from the International MLC Team resulted in an over-flowing box of well-wishes and greetings from our family across the globe. I might not be able to respond to them all, but I want you to know that your words, well wishes and prayers give us all energy and inspiration. Just as the words, well wishes and prayers in the letters of Adèle gave energy and inspiration to all who received them.

On this day when we remember this amazing woman, our love and prayers go out to all our dear Marianist sisters around the world. The Daughters of Mary Immaculate, while small in number, continue to do grand things. As new foundations are formed, so are new projects that reach out to the needs of each area. From birthing hospitals to schools to vocational centers to retreat centers; they reach out to feed, heal, teach, empower and give spiritual nourishment. To them, we send our love and prayers on this special day and always!

 ”O my God, my heart is too small to love you, but it will see to it that you are loved by so many hearts that their love will compensate for the weakness of mine.” (325.4)

International Web site of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate

Our Marianist Lay Communities in South Korea held their General Meeting on December 10^th, 2011. Mr. Jung Hyun Peter Nam was elected as the new National Responsible. We welcome him to our international team of National Responsibles, and look forward to building on our Marianist family spirit and friendship.

We also share our deep gratitude for the faithful commitment and work of Ms. Eun Hee Theresa Kim who has completed her term as National Responsible.

May our loving God and Mother Mary continue to bless our Marianist family in South Korea. Their deep faith, energy and passion for our mission are an inspiration to us all!

Here is some news from lay Marianist, Hb Denny in Jakarta, Indonesia. His community is helping with a school project for street children. This is an inspiration to us all, and we wish them many blessings!

During our preparation for Christmas (Advent week 2) we dedicated our project to help a school in the slum area to serve poor street children. We raised the money for classroom rental for a 2 year period. We also gave the kids a free lunch, and some gifts to support their education.

This school is located under the bridge and is free. There are around 100 kids and 4 teachers.

We’re very happy can make small steps to help them open their window into the future.

Denny also has a Blog with more photos. It is written in Indonesian and called AKU DIBERI, AKU MEMBERI.

Here is news from Johneleen Lardera, our MLC National Responsible in the Philippines:

Some of the MLC members with Bro. George,SM joined the 5K fun run for a cause “TREEbute Run” started at 5:30 in the morning. After the fun run we have a great breakfast at the Marianist house, then attended a Sunday mass with the streetchildren at the Balay Pasilungan presided by Fr. Pablo,SM and after having snack with them. It was a great experience and blessing to all of us!

There are many wonderful newsletters and publications from our Marianist Family around the world. I am going to try and share more of them through this blog and our Facebook page.

The 11^th edition of Le P`tit Marianiste d`Haiti is now available online at the Marianistes du Canada web-site. The issue is filled with joyous gatherings and celebrations; vow ceremonies, birthday parties, and the World Day of Prayer mass. The Marianist Family is vibrant and growing in Haiti. There are now 12 Haitian Marianist religious. Thank you to Fr. Florian and all the brothers in Haiti for this valued connection across the miles!

The MLC leadership team travelled to Trastevere this morningfor a meeting with Dr. Stefano De Pasquale Ceratti, who is our contact person with the Ecclesial Movements and New Communities. Miss María del Pilar Mendieta Vetter also attended the meeting. We received a warm welcome, and had a very fruitful conversation. Dr. De Pasquale Ceratti shared some thoughts on the role of Ecclesial Movements in this time of the New Evangelization. (I had previously sent a copy of the Circular, Marianist Lay Communities and the New Evangelization.) His talk affirmed our role within the church, and the special charism of Father Chaminade. We were heartened with his knowledge and interest in our Marianist Family. He also affirmed our intentionality in our communication with the Pontifical Council for the Laity. These meetings are valuable to our friends at the PCL and to us.

I gave a brief summary of what the New Evangelization means to us, especially in this special Chaminade Year. Félix, Susan, Ernest, Isabel and Domingo all shared some experiences from their regions. We discussed specific projects with young people, collaborative communications such as Agora Marianistas, the need for lay formation, the problem of clericalism, and the need for lay women and men to embrace the roots of our Christian faith; to nurture a personal relationship with Jesus through an active and vital prayer life. We also discussed how our Marianist charism tries to balance intellectual knowledge and doctrine with a faith of the heart.

We left, ready to begin our meetings with good spirits!

Isabel Duarte Quapper, . Miss María del Pilar Mendieta Vetter, Félix Arqueros Perez, Ernest Kasongo, Dr. Stefano De Pasquale Ceratti, Susan Vogt, Brother Domingo Fuentes, SM, Isabella Moyer

The MLC team began our time in Rome with a pilgrimage and retreat time on Sunday. Brother Jack Ventura, the new director of the International Center for Marianist Formation joined us. The day was facilitated and led by our assessor, Brother Domingo Fuentes. He explained that we would spend the morning in spiritual union with the early Christians and martyrs as we walked to the Catacombs of St. Calistus. The sun was shining and the temperature was perfect. The catacombs themselves are hallowed grounds, with frescoes and tombs dated from the 2^nd century.

Brother Domingo, Brother Jack Ventura, Isabel Duarte, Félix Arqueros

In the afternoon, we gathered in the chapel at Via Latina in front of the sculpted plaques of Blesseds Chaminade, Jakob Gapp, and the Spanish Martyrs. The wall also includes the names of Mother Adèle, Marie Thérèse de Lamourous, Faustino, and Domingo Lazaro, SM, whose causes have been opened for consideration in the beatification process.

Domingo invited us to reflect on the life of Chaminade, and the many worries and burdens he had. He faced the terrors of the revolution, the loneliness of exile, language difficulties in Zaragoza, and the challenges of leadership. We then spent time in silent prayer, reflecting on the present burdens in our own lives; burdens that we were bringing with us to Rome. We raised these personal challenges, family challenges, work challenges and ministry challenges in prayer, and then laid them at the feet of Mary like Chaminade did at our Lady of the Pillar. We concluded by remembering by name each of our National Responsibles, praying for them and for the Marianist Family in their countries.

Tomorrow morning we will be up bright and early for a 9:00 am meeting at the Pontifical Council of the Laity in Trastevere. When we return, we will begin our MLC meetings. Today was a day of inspiring pilgrimage, reflective prayer, and joy-filled reunions and visiting. It has given us much needed energy for the work days ahead!

Cioa J

Isabella

Dear friends,

Our leadership team is busy preparing for our meeting in Rome next week. Reports are being finalized and sent. Bags are being packed. For me, there is always a sense of panic in the days before I leave. And, there is the sadness of leaving family behind.

The journey from Winnipeg, Canada to Rome is long and tiring. But I am always welcomed at the airport by the smiling face of one of our Marianist brothers. As we drive through the streets of Rome, the sights and smells of the city still fill me with excitement. I look forward to arriving at Via Latina. The brothers` warm hospitality always makes me feel like I have arrived home.

Our European Responsible, Félix Arqueros, is already in France to join the Marianist Family in their Assises – a gathering of all four branches to vision together the future of the Marianist Family in France. Our love and prayers are with them in this important meeting. France is the home of our founders and our spirituality. Our French sisters and brothers continue to hold high the torch of our Marianist charism for the world to see. May our loving God continue to bless them, and may Mary guide them in all their discernments and works.

I ask for your prayers for us all. May the Spirit of wisdom guide us in all the tasks that lie before us. And may the prayers of Blessed Chaminade, Mother Adèle, Marie Thérèse de Lamourous, and all the holy Marianist women and men who have gone before us give us the courage and peace of heart we need to go forward in faith.

And may we do all that we do with the firm conviction that Mary is at our side!

affectionately,

Isabella