Who We Are
Founding
Society of Mary Timeline
1816
Twelve young ordained men, including Fr. Jean-Claude Colin, pledged their lives to the service of others in the spirit of Mary at the shrine of Our Lady of Fourviere in Lyons, France
1830
Fr. Colin elected “superior” of the group of first Marists
1836
Canonical approval given to the formation of the Society of Mary, Marist Fathers by Pope Gregory XVI which effectively sent the Marists into their first missions in the Western Pacific
• Fr. Colin elected as the First Superior General of the Society of Mary
• The first 25 Marist Fathers make their profession
1854
Fr. Colin resigned as Superior General. This time of prayer allowed him to work on the Constitutions
1863
Marist Fathers arrive in the United States
1873
Society of Mary Constitutions approved by Holy See
A Worldwide Community
The Marists Fathers and Brothers are part of a worldwide community represented in Africa, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Europe, Mexico, New Zealand, Oceania, Peru, the Philippines, and the United States. Under the direction of Fr. Colin, SM the Marists expanded their mission and ministry by serving those least capable of helping themselves. This became a Marist trait that helped characterize the Society as it grew into a global missionary force centered in Marian spirituality.
In 2015 Sr. Silvia Sanz de Diego, SM was asked to compose a hymn for the International Marist Youth gathering: Dare to dream 2016. This music was sent to the Dare to Dream planning committee as a suggestion. In 2021 the Marist Sisters decided to share this song and created a video for this inspiring Marist feast day of the promise of Fourvière. Click here to listen to the song.