Mission Update – Term 2 Week 2

This month we celebrate May, a month that holds a very special and deep significance in our Catholic tradition, especially within our Marist community of Newman College.

May is the month that we dedicate to Mary. It’s a time to reflect on her virtues, her faith, and her quiet strength. As Marists, Mary has an even more special significance…we see Mary not only as someone to honour, but as someone to imitate.

Marcellin Champagnat’s vision for educators was very simple – in order to educate children, you must love them and love them equally. How did he and his brothers show this love? Through the living out of the Marist characteristics – presence, simplicity, family spirit, love of work, and In the way of Mary. It is this last characteristic that can sometimes be the most difficult to fully understand.

So, as we begin the month of May, it is worth giving this some thought. What does it mean to live ‘in the way of Mary’?

To live in the way of Mary is a beautiful invitation to imitate Mary, not just in our actions, but in our attitude and spirit too. It means to follow Jesus just as she did; to act with humility, compassion, and trust in God. It means to be present to others, showing up especially in times of need; to saying yes with faith, even when things are hard or uncertain; to nurture and care for others, bringing out the best in those around us; and to act at all times with humility and love, seeking to ‘do good quietly’.

Taking Mary as our model means we reflect Mary in not only what we do but how we do it, with these notions of humility, compassion, presence, and a spirit of service front and centre. It is also a great reminder to us that Mary didn’t seek attention or status; she simply said ‘yes’ to God and walked alongside others with quiet courage and deep faith.

In the same way that Lent is a special time of spiritual nourishment so that we may become our best selves and grow closer to God, so too does the month of May allow us the opportunity to focus on how we can live out Mary’s qualities of faith, compassion, and quiet strength. Perhaps, you might like to choose one of Mary’s qualities you would like a little more of in your life…gentleness, patience, humility…and put this into place through your words, your spirit, and your actions.

Allow yourself the time to let your month of May be one of great purpose…an opportunity to walk in Mary’s footsteps, and in doing so, bring honour to her life and draw closer to her son, Jesus Christ.

Marian Lecture

• Category: Early Childhood, Primary, Secondary
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