Every Religious Order or Congregation is founded with a charism. Over the centuries Religious Orders sprang up because there was a need to revitalise Christians in the spirit of Christ or because some special work needed to be done. We can think of the different ways that the Franciscans, Dominicans and Carmelites have of living the Christian life. Each has a different vision of life, a different spirituality, different works or apostolates. However all share the common ideal of coming closer to Christ.
The Society of Mary was founded in 1816 by Fr Jean Claude Colin SM. with the ideal of following Mary and living by her spirit in this life. At the Annunciation Mary said to the Angel "I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me " (Lk. 1.48) Living in the spirit of Mary will make us stronger members of the Church and lead us closer to her Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Our founder had a great 'but unfulfilled vision namely a Marist Family which would embrace Priests, Sisters, Brothers and Laity all trying to live in the spirit of Mary according to their particular calling in life. This was to be the basis of the rebirth of the Church in France after the devastation of the Revolution. Mary was present at the birth of the Church on the first Pentecost. Mary must be present at the rebirth of the Church in our own times. "All these joined in continuous prayer, together with several women, including Mary the Mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. " (Acts 1. 14).
At times the Church is hide-bound by the implementation of law; Father Colin's vision of a great family of Marists serving the Church in the spirit of Mary could not be accepted in his day. Since Vatican II many things have changed in the Church and especially the understanding of the role of the Laity. The Society of Mary has as its ideals the spirit of Mary in Nazareth, the hidden life, and the spirit of Mary at Pentecost, the birth of the Church. Many people feel called to share in this spirit of willing service of God, hidden service of the Church and a deepening of all those special Marian virtues. It is in the Third Order of Mary that the Laity are called to share in the special Marist Charism, in the Society of Mary.
The title “Third Order”, especially today, can be very off- putting to many people.
It sounds as if it must be highly complicated, very select and certainly not for me.
This is not true nor is it in keeping with the
vision of Fr. Colin:-
“The Third Order. in my eyes “ as I understand it, “should be an immense
association which will encircle
everybody. ".
Mary was the support of the newborn Church; she
will be so at the end, and she will be so through you.”
Colin. End General Chapter. 1866
Mary played an important role in the early Church, indicated by her inclusion among those in the upper room awaiting the coming of the Spirit. Mary's importance for the early Church is best seen in the Gospels of St. Luke and St. John where she is presented as a woman of faith and as a model believer. (See the Gospel of Luke: Chapters 1 and 2,8:19-21, and 11:27-28; and the Gospel of John: 2:1-11, and 19: 25-27)
Mary's presence, however, was an unobtrusive one. This is indicated by the fact that in the list of those present in the upper room after the Ascension she is mentioned after the apostles and almost, as it were, "by the way. " Mary's unobtrusiveness is also indicated by the fact that, after Pentecost, she is never mentioned again in the Acts of the Apostles. Her presence was significant, yet she remained hidden and unknown.
The first Marists, through an inspiration of one of their number, were convinced that Mary would play an important role in the Church of their day. Her role would be like the one she played at the beginning of the Church: significant, yet unobtrusive and hidden. Marists today believe that Mary has a similar part to play in the life of the Church of our day.
PRAYER
Pray for the grace to know if you are being called to have a part in Mary’s presence in the Church and in our world of today.
Pray for people you know who need the gentle presence of Mary in their lives.
ACTION
I must reflect on my own life, especially on how Mary has been a significant presence in my life. How would I describe that presence? What are the qualities? Now take a look at the world around us. Where does the world need Mary’s presence? Why not share your reflections with someone you trust?