Our Marist Role

When St. Marcellin came to the bedside of the dying Jean-Baptiste Montagne and discovered that the young teen knew nothing about his faith, he "set his face like flint" to insure that such ignorance would never occur again: an enormous goal, as yet not fully realized. Yes, the mission remains because the ignorance of the faith, or indifference to it persist. The reign of secularism, the abundance of material goods (we have everything, there is no need for God), and even an active rejection based on the "evils of the church" have all contributed to a new generation of Jean-Baptistes. As St. Marcellin did, he began small...first in his own prayer life, "is this what God wants?" and in his risk-taking, he responded with courage to an obvious need, so can, so must we. After nearly 200 years, his mission has spread to 79 countries and brought Christ to millions of people but the wave of his inspiration will continue only if we who claim to be Marist (little brothers and sisters of Mary, vowed and lay) follow that same path: prayer, taking a risk. One by one, person by person, we can have a "Christ-effect" on others. There is nothing to hide nor of which to be ashamed in being Catholic, in standing up for the faith and truth as we have learned it. Our times demand witnesses not mummies, boldness and daring. St. Marcellin did it, so can we.
Bro. Rene