10th Anniversary

Today, the Marist Brothers' Province of the United States of America celebrates its tenth anniversary.  The province is the result of the merger of the Province of Esopus and the Province of Poughkeepsie into a single province under the patronage of the Holy Family. The formal closing of the two provinces and the establishment of a single province took place at its first Provincial Chapter and Convocation at Marist College in 2003. Revitalization and growth were the hoped-for fruits of the merger and today, despite the death of many brothers, the closings of communities and ministries since then, there are signs of hope and revitalization emerging from every corner of the province.
Our schools have become more Marist, and their Catholic Identity more visible.  The incorporation of more and more lay colleagues into the life of the province and the spirituality of St. Marcellin guarantees the future of the Marist Mission in ministries even where brothers are no longer present.  The recent Foundation Stones week in Esopus indicated that the life of a brother is appealing and worth investigating (at least) to young men just entering college. Our retreat house property in Esopus, is becoming ever increasingly, a pulsating center of renewal and of our Marist heritage and spirituality.  Our novitiate located there will have three postulants in September.
This second generation of post-Vatican II Catholics, as a young man said to me last night, can step back and view the Cburch with more objectivity.  Seriously considering a vocation to De Lasalle Christian Brothers himself, he said that discovering Jesus has helped him understand the vocation better and how fulfilling it can be.  He is a sophomore at Notre Dame, but is on the right path.
The brotherhood is a very viable and exciting way to spend one's life, loved and supported by community and energized to give ALL to making Jesus known and loved.  Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, it seems that more and more are beginning to see and accept this call.  The next ten years will witness new membership and bring us closer to the goals envisioned ten years ago.  Praise the Lord!
Bro. Rene