FEATURES OF LAY MARIST LIFE

Features of lay Marist life
We were fortunate to spend time in Rome.
While there Bro. Sean Sammon gave each
of us a copy of his book: “A Heart that Knew No
Bounds, the Life and Mission of Saint Marcellin
Champagnat”. A few of us asked him to sign our
copy which he happily did. His small inscription
stated:
Dear N, Many thanks for your visit and for all you do to
live and promote Marcellin’s dream. Enjoy your stay in
Rome and the book. Blessings and affection! Sean.
Sean’s words about promoting Marcellin’s dream
continue to take on a significance and poignancy
greater than I thought at the time. In terms of my
own spirituality and the implications of this on
my role as an educator and lay Marist, I believe
that a disposition of being sincere and just in
your dealings with people is very important. My
spirituality is an integral part of everything I do.
Champagnat was a man for his times, a practical
man and a man with a big heart. He moved
among the people and many people chose to
follow him because he was open and frank. He
was seen as just, compassionate and genuine. My
hope is that something of this is evident in what
I am called to be and strive to live in my own life.
(Australia)
Marcellin is the model for my life; he has
influenced it to improve its quality as a
person close to others, for trying to help others,
or at least to listen to them. The quality of my
Christian life is improved by living fraternity and
solidarity. Marcellin has also influenced me in
the love he had for Mary, but without displacing
Christ, who is our centre. (Colombia)
We began to read, to meditate, to contemplate
and to pray about this great man’s life.
It captured our imagination, it disturbed us and
it built up hopes. We discovered in his life the
testimony of values such as his love of children,
of deprived young people and of all his Brothers;
the faith in God that accompanies us and
always protects us; the love of work that dignifies
us and makes us share in the creation; the love
and trust in Mary, our Good Mother; the family
spirit that welcomes, accompanies and supports;
the audacity and creativity to find answers to
problems; the zeal to take their mission ahead;
the audacity and stability to make possible what
seemed impossible; the simplicity and humility to
live everything as the work and manifestation of
10
Extended Bureau of the Laity
the love of God. “If the Lord does not build the
house…” How much life, how much passion, how
much love! And this is Marcellin: Father, witness
and model. (Bolivia)
Through our professional development and
spirituality formation- experiences, I have
been exposed to the thinking of Marcellin
Champagnat whom I see as a simple man who
had a clear vision and an unshakeable faith in
God. His legacy of total trust in Mary is also what
captured me. In a sense it’s a perfect balance of
strength and compassion. Walk into any Marist
school and this vision is so naturally evident.
(Australia)
know that the Marist call goes towards an
I identification that is truer with the sensibility
and devotion of Saint Marcellin Champagnat in
response to the call of God in his life. That was
what captivated my heart, from the first camp:
the sincere searching for the will of God for my
life. (Brazil)
The capacity of Marcellin to dream of something
new and to put life into it always astonishes
me. With no support other than that
of God, without security, with many obstacles…
trusting. I am fascinated by the marvels that the
Lord works in those who trust in Him and allow
Him to take them where He wants. (Spain)
In work and in life, I must face moments where
it seems that despair can enter my heart. At
these times, there comes to mind the decision,
the optimism and the audacity of Marcellin, and
that consoles me and fills my heart with enthusiasm.
(Brazil)