Vocations Programs

In 1815, three men were ordained deacons: Jean-Marie Vianney (the saintly Cure of Ars), Jean-Claude Colin, founder of the Marist Fathers, and Marcellin Champagnat, founder of the Marist Brothers and canonized in 1999. Little did the ordaining bishop know what power he was instrumental in unleashing on these three humble men. Little did they themselves suspect how the Holy Spirit would use them to restore the weakened Church in post-revolutionary France, and in the whole world, for that matter. Thousands flocked to Ars to confess their sins to the Cure who spent 16-18 hours a day in the confessional. The Marist Fathers brought the faith to Oceania, where it flourishes to this day. The Marist Brothers educate youth, particularly those most neglected, in 79 countries. The ripple effect from these ordinations continues to spread and invigorate the Church. In our day when it seems that the Church is "losing ground" due to it's own internal flaws, and as the target of rampant secularism and materialism, the example of these three men inspires hope and challenges us to deepen our faith and trust that somewhere people are being called, prepared, and strengthened to help overcome the erosion and reinvigorate the mission and purpose of the Church, i.e. to bring Christ and his message to all peoples.
The Marist Brothers have revitalized their efforts worldwide to invite young men to join the ranks of the sons of Champagnat, with much success in the Third World. Inspired by these efforts, increased activity to invite young Americans is taking place in our schools and on the web. The website, www.maristbr.com/vocationresources.php contains a wealth of exciting materials and programs for promoting a "culture of vocations". In addition to these resources, the very successful "personal approach", of simply chatting with young men, telling them what qualities they possess (most don't see these themselves), and inviting them to consider the exciting and adventuresome, as well as soul-satisfying life as a Brother, is being pursued more aggressively. It's a seed planting moment, but one that bears fruit in God's time. As with the three men we remember today, God works wonders in the most "unlikely" of candidates. We hope, we trust, we believe.
Bro. Rene