This presentation outlines the key elements of Marist Spirituality built on the tradition of St Marcellin Champagnat

1. Marist Spirituality
Theme 7
Thursday 28 July, 2016

2. Benedictus
Karl Jenkins

3. Spirituality

4. What aspect of your own life and
search for life does the word spirituality
signal?

5. Definitions
Philosophers - capacity to know the truth
Psychologists - gives a person energy
Religious Person - experiencing the ultimate or Holy

6. Genesis 32: 22-26
The same night he got up and took his two wives,
his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed
the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them
across the stream, and likewise everything that he
had. Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with
him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did
not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip
socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he
wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the
day is breaking.” But Jacob said, I will not let you
go, unless you bless me.”

7. So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said,
“Jacob”. Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called
Jacob, but Israel, for you has striven with God and with
humans, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him,
“Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you
ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called
the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face-to-
face, and yet my life is preserved.” The sun rose upon him
as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.
Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the thigh
muscle that is on the hip socket, because he struck Jacob
on the hip socket at the time muscle.
Genesis 32: 27-32

8. Christian Spirituality
St Benedict 480-547

9. Mary’s Place in the Church
431 Council of Ephesus - Theotokos (God bearer)
1100s Mary is seen as mother and associate of Christ
1516 Reformation - Challenge to Marian piety
1950 International Marian Academy established
1964 Constitution on the Church

10. A Society of Mary
• Society of Jesus 1534
• Society of Mary 1816
• Seeking a Marian Church

11. The Pledge

12. The Four Marist Founders
• Jean Claude Courveille
• Jeanne Marie Chavoin
• Marcellin Champagnat
• Jean Claude Colin

13. Positive Pedagogy
• The four Marist Founders
devote themselves to education
• They believe evangelisation is a
work of education demanding
time, patience and hope
• Besides personal attention, the
maternal heart not only
represents affection, it also
represents a positive pedagogy
(Forissier, 1992, pp.241-247)

14. We must have
Marist educators
(Brothers)

15. Marcellin saw
Mary as his
‘inspiration’
and only ‘real
superior’.
Letter to Br Barthelemy

16. Association
Faith
Mission
Family
Spirituality
communion
passion
our hopes and priorities 2016-2018
WeMarists....

19. Best Practice Today

20. Key Elements of our Spirituality

21. Our Personal Response
• The angel of the Lord came to Mary.
• Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
• Do not fear, Mary, the Lord has looked kindly upon you.
• The Holy Spirit will come upon you.
• Blessed are you who believed.
• I am the handmaid of the Lord - let it be done to me as you
have said.
Water from the Rock, 2007, p.39

22. Implications for my Work

23. Bibliography
Bowe, B. (2003). Biblical Foundations of Spirituality.
Oxford: Rowman & Littlefield.
Coates, G. (2000). Marcellin in the Footsteps of Mary.
Marcellin College. Bulleen.
Forissier, A. (1992). For a Marian Church. Slough: St Paul
Publications.
Laurentin, R. (1965). Mary's Place in the Church.
London: Compass.
Turú, E. (2016, 25 March). Fourvière: The Revolution of
Tenderness. Letter of the Superior General. Rome.