| Societas Mariae(Latin)[1] | |
 Marianist Cross, symbol of the Society of Mary | |
| Abbreviation | S.M. (post-nominal letters)[1] |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Marianists |
| Formation | 2 October 1817; 208 years ago (1817-10-02)[1] |
| Founder | Blessed Fr. Guillaume Joseph Chaminade, S.M.[1] |
| Founded at | Bordeaux, France |
| Type | Clerical Religious Congregation of Pontifical Right (for men)[1] |
| Location |
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| Coordinates | 41°54′4.9″N12°27′38.2″E / 41.901361°N 12.460611°E /41.901361; 12.460611 |
| Members | 930 members (309 priests) as of 2020[1] |
Motto | Latin:Servire Quam Sentire English:Serve with Feeling |
| Rev. Fr. André Fétis, S.M.[1] | |
Ministry | Educational work, youth ministry, social justice |
Patron saints | |
Main organ | General Administration |
Parent organization | Roman Catholic Church |
| Website | www |
| Remarks | Part of the Marianist Family, alongside the Daughters of Mary Immaculate, Alliance Mariale, and Marianist Lay Communities |
TheSociety of Mary (Latin:Societas Mariae, abbreviatedS.M.) is a Catholic clerical religious congregation of Pontifical Right for men (brothers andpriests) commonly known as theMarianists or Marianist Brothers and Priests. Members append the post-nominal letters "S.M." to their names to signify membership.[2] Founded byWilliam Joseph Chaminade, a priest who endured theanti-clerical persecution during theFrench Revolution, the Society is one of four branches of theMarianist Family, which includes the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (FMI), Alliance Mariale, and Marianist Lay Communities. The Marianists draw inspiration fromMary as a model of faith, emphasizing a spirituality of service, education, and community. They aim to share their faith, work with the marginalized, and foster holistic education of the mind, body, and soul.
The Society of Mary was founded on October 2, 1817, in Bordeaux, France, by Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, a priest driven by a vision to restore Christian vitality in post-Revolutionary France. During the French Revolution (1789–1799), Chaminade faced exile and persecution but remained committed to revitalizing the Church through lay and religious communities. Inspired by Mary's role in salvation history, he established the Society to form apostolic communities dedicated to education and evangelization. The Marianists received papal approval as a religious congregation in 1891, affirming their mission within theRoman Catholic Church.[3]
The Society grew rapidly, establishing missions and educational institutions across Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Today, it continues to adapt its mission to contemporary challenges, emphasizinginculturation and collaboration with laypeople to advance justice and reconciliation.
The Marianist charism is rooted in the spirituality of Blessed Chaminade, who sawMary as the model of discipleship and mission. The Society's motto,Servire Quam Sentire ("Serve with Feeling"), reflects its commitment to compassionate service and community living. Marianists live as equals in community, whether as brothers or priests, and strive to emulate Mary's faith by fostering apostolic communities that makeJesus Christ present in every culture. Their spirituality emphasizes:
As of 2020, the Society of Mary comprises approximately 930 members (309 priests, two bishops, and over 600 brothers) across four continents and 38 countries.[1] The Marianists prioritizeinculturation, rooting themselves in local cultures, particularly inAsia andAfrica, while addressing modern and postmodern cultural challenges.[5] Their global presence includes educational institutions, retreat centers, parishes, and social justice initiatives.
Men discerning avocation with the Society of Mary undergo a rigorous formation process to deepen their spirituality and commitment. The stages include:
The Marianists are active in Canada, notably through the late ArchbishopRaymond Roussin, S.M., D.D., who served as head of theRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver from 2004 to 2009. They engage in educational and pastoral ministries, including youth programs and parish work.
The United States hosts two Marianist provinces: the Province of the United States and the Province ofMeribah.
Established in 1976, the Province of Meribah operates exclusively in theRoman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre onLong Island, New York. It manages an educational complex includingChaminade High School,Kellenberg Memorial High School (with the Bro. Joseph C. Fox Latin School Division for grades 6–8), andSt. Martin de Porres Marianist School (pre-kindergarten through grade 8). The Province also operates five retreat houses: Emmanuel Retreat House, Stella Maris Retreat House, Saragossa, Meribah, and Founder's Hollow.[7][8][9] The Provincial is Brother Joseph D. Bellizzi, S.M.[10] The Province emphasizes prayer, education, and the mottoServire Quam Sentire.[11]
The Province of the United States updated its mission statement to reflect its commitment to Blessed Chaminade'scharism:
Empowered by theHoly Spirit and inspired by the dynamism of Blessed Chaminade'scharism, we – brothers and priests – vowed religious in the Marianist Family, live in community as equals. Through lives of prayer andGospel service, we dedicate ourselves to the following ofJesus Christ, Son of God become Son of Mary. Wherever we are sent, we invite others to share Mary's Mission of making Christ present in every age and culture by forming persons and communities of apostolic faith that advance justice and reconciliation. Committed to education, we minister with youth and in solidarity with the poor.[12]
The Province operates inHonolulu, Hawaii;St. Louis, Missouri;Dayton, Ohio;Cincinnati, Ohio;San Antonio, Texas; andOmaha, Nebraska. It manages three universities (University of Dayton,St. Mary's University, Texas, andChaminade University), 18 high schools, 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 5 retreat centers, and 7 parishes. Notable alumni includeCharles J. Pedersen, 1987 Nobel laureate in chemistry, who attended the University of Dayton.[13]
The birthplace of the Society, France remains a significant hub with 112 brothers and priests across 17 communities in France,Belgium, andTunisia, with 58 members in theIvory Coast andCongo region. The Province of France operates eight schools, three spiritual centers (La Madeleine, St. Avold, and Le Vic), two university residences, and a scholarship program. Ministries include youth work, pastoral care, and hospital chaplaincy.[14]
The Marianists' world headquarters is in Rome, Italy, at Via Latina 22. The General Motherhouse oversees global operations and houses the International Marianist Seminary.
Since 1967, invited by Archbishop John Charles McQuaid, the Marianists have operatedSt. Laurence College inLoughlinstown,Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown, under the Province of the United States. They engage in youth ministry, school and prison chaplaincy, drug rehabilitation, peace and justice initiatives, and parish work. Four Irish Catholics have joined the Society since 1976.
Since 1887, the Marianists have operated in Spain, establishing the Santa Maria Foundation in 1977 for publishing and pedagogical programs.[15] They run 17 schools, including the prestigiousColegio del Pilar inMadrid, and others like Santa Ana y San Rafael.
Fr. François Kieffer, S.M., founded theVilla St. Jean International School inFribourg, Switzerland, in 1903, which operated until 1970. The school was known for its international student body and rigorous academic programs.
Since 1932, the Marianists have operated inBuenos Aires, founding a school in Caballito in 1935, with additional presence inJunín,Nueve de Julio, andGeneral Roca, Río Negro.[16]
Active since 1948, the Marianists established the Province of Chile in 1982. They operate institutions likeColegio Santa María de la Cordillera,Colegio Parroquial San Miguel,Instituto Miguel León Prado, andInstituto Linares.
The Marianists manage several schools, includingColegio Santa Maria Marianistas,Colegio Maria Reina Marianistas (founded 1965),Colegio San Antonio Marianistas,Colegio San José Obrero Marianistas, andEl Instituto Chaminade Marianistas.[17][18][19]
Since 1938, the Marianists have operatedColegio San José, a leading college preparatory school in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.[20]
Since 1946, Marianists have served asmissionaries inKenya,Malawi,Zambia,Republic of the Congo,Democratic Republic of the Congo,Ivory Coast,Togo, andTunisia.
The Marianists run Our Lady of Nazareth primary school, the IMANI counseling and job training programs, and a child care center inNairobi, alongside the Marianist Development Project inMombasa. They support the Sudanese Diocese of Rumbec and operate the St. Bakhita Formation Center for seminarians, nurses, teachers, and catechists. They foundedMang'u High School in 1925, a prestigious institution.[21]
The Marianists manage Chaminade Secondary School and MIRACLE, a rural job-training program for AIDS-orphaned youth.
They teach at Matero Boys Secondary School, engage with alumni, and support the local diocese through liturgical services.[22]
Since 2004, the Marianists have focused onDavao City, establishing a community on October 2, 2004. They adopted Balay Pasilungan, a program for street children, in 2005, accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.[23]
Since 1887, the Marianists have operated schools likeGyosei Gakuen inTokyo (1888), Kaisei Gakuen inNagasaki (1891), Osaka Meisei Gakuen inOsaka (1898), andSt. Joseph School inYokohama (1901).
The Marianists manageSt Paul's College, Altona, established in 1969, and were involved in foundingJohn Paul College, Frankston, a coeducational school formed in 1977 through a merger with Stella Maris College. The schools reflect Marianist heritage through named facilities like Chaminade Library and McCoy Hall.[24]
Blesseds
Venerables
Servants of God
The Marianists have made significant contributions to education, social justice, and evangelization. Their universities, such as theUniversity of Dayton, are recognized for academic excellence and research. The Society's emphasis on holistic education integrates intellectual, spiritual, and social development, influencing thousands of students globally. Their work with marginalized communities, such as street children in the Philippines and AIDS orphans in Malawi, reflects their commitment to social justice. The Marianist Family's collaborative model, involving laypeople and religious, has become a blueprint for modern Catholic apostolates.[29]
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