The Blues to the Rescue

For ten weeks, the people of Aleppo, Syria have been suffering from the ravages of the civil war.  People have fled their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs.  The government ordered schools to become shelters for these refugees, and our Marist school in a safe neighborhood in Aleppo. has opened its doors to 1,200 of these displaced men, women, and children.  A group of 50 volunteers of brothers and laymen and women, mostly in their 20's, calling themselves "The Marist Blues" (they wear blue t-shirts in honor of Mary), have been providing food, clothing, sanitation facilities, recreation and education in the spirit of Marist hospitality and care of the "least favored."  It is again a testimony to the vision of St. Marcellin, to step up to the needs of the times to take care of physical and spiritual needs of all, especially youth.   More information and pictures can be found on facebook at Maristesalep.  This beautiful poem captures the faith and trust of the Marist Blues and might serve as a healthy slice of Daily Bread for us:

In the hollow of your lives,
The Lord lays hope.
In the hollow of you rhands,
The Lord lays his love.
In the depth of your eyes,
The Lord lays his light.
In the depth of you hearts,
The Lord lays his peace.

Let us keep the Marist Blues and their charges (and all who are victims of the atrocities in Syria) in our prayers.
Bro. Rene