“For the Marists, the first one who followed Christ in his ‘self-emptying’ was Mary. … She was content not to be seen and made ‘no noise’, as Fr. Colin, SM liked to say: Here is the pattern for the Marists. …in recommending the ‘hidden and unknown’, wants us to empty ourselves, so that, as far as possible, there are only Jesus, his Father and their Spirit working through us. Then egos, ambitions, sensitivities, self-seeking, self-regard, will not get in the way of God’s grace, of which we are to be ministers.”

Stabat Mater
O how sad and sore distressed
Was that Mother, highly blest
Of the sole-begotten One.

Marists who live this way of life, will help a “disciple Church” to emerge: a Church that listens to, submits to, and acts upon the Word which has been proclaimed.

Stabat Mater
Through her heart, his sorrow sharing,
All his bitter anguish bearing,
Now at length the sword has passed.

For disarment and peace

“The Marian Church does not know the answers before the questions are posed. Her path is not traced out in advance. She knows doubt and unease, night and loneliness. That is the price of trust. She takes her part in the conversation but makes no claim to know everything. She accepts that she must search.”

Stabat Mater
At the cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
Near her Son until the end.