Marianist laity are called to take on with great enthusiasm Mary’s mission of nurturing the good but difficult work of bringing Jesus into our world. We bring a unique gift for our Church today that is deeply relational, highly intentional, and keenly present to the individual person in this time and this place.

As Blessed Chaminade taught us with the Bordeaux Sodality, the work of building the Marianist Family demands precious time and needs the gifts of all members, lay and religious, working together in our common mission.

What does this vision look like from the practical, concrete perspective?

As we learned from Blessed Chaminade, Blessed Adele, and Venerable Marie Therese, we must

On February 22, 2006 Marianist Lay Communities received canonical recognition as a Private Association of the Faithful.

This is important. This is why it is essential that we have consistent and common formation, from our first interactions with the Marianist Family through ongoing formation as we mature and grow to more deeply understand our role in the Family and in the Church.

Each of us has a place at the table. Together in community, our interactions and the relationships we build take on a holiness in the presence of God.

Marianists, both as individuals and communities, are called into continual discernment. This active process of discernment enables us to interpret the signs of the times, so that we may best determine how to live our charism and missionary calling in the world. The insights we learn from one another help to shape us as individuals but also guide us in our vision to plan for the future.

A Lay Marianist is one who knows, commits to, and lives the Marianist charism. Marianist laity express their Marianist identity in a variety of ways, each expression welcomed and respected as a response to our baptismal call. How do you live and express your vocation as a Marianist layperson?

As you know, the Marianist Lay Community of North America (MLC-NA) Leadership Council has invited Lay Marianists and Marianist Lay Communities to participate in the Year of Shared Discernment to deepen our understanding of the Marianist charism and to intentionally connect with other Lay Marianists throughout North America.

Modules written by Marianist lay members provide a common framework for individuals and communities to pray, reflect, and discuss how the Marianist charism impacts our personal and community growth. This common foundation to understand what it means to be a Lay Marianist within a Marianist Lay Community is essential as we move forward in our work as members of the Marianist Family.

As we move through the year to focus on each module’s topic, your responses and insights shared through the online surveys and Zoom calls are being collated into six important themes:

·      Values/Experiences

·      Gifts of the Marianist Family

·      Examples of Living in the World

·      Concrete needs

·      Future vision

·      Growth and Development

Your input and wisdom found through these themes will inform and guide MLC-NA’s work as we continue to develop future directions for Marianist laity. Your reflections and responses to the Year of Shared Discernment surveys will directly impact this work. You can find all of the year of Shared Discernment modules, prayers, readings, reflections, and most importantly, the surveys at Year of Share Discernment. We need your voice at our table and in our discussions.

What will you and your community share through the surveys that will guide our strategic planning to ensure the growth and vitality of the Marianist Lay branch and Marianist Family? How do you know, live, commit to the Marianist charism? How does your life in the Marianist Family give witness to life as part of a Charismatic Family today? We can’t wait to know!

On April 8, 2021, the 260th anniversary of the birth of Blesssed Chaminade, Fr. Andre Fetis, General Superior of the SM, released his second Circular entitled, Mary Rose and Went with Haste Into the Hill Country: Led by Mary on the Paths of Praise and Service.

At the end he invites us to "live in the spirit of the Visitation" during the week of May 24-May 31 which celebrates the Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church. He suggests ways to live in the spirit of the Visitation during this special week.

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