Who Are the Marist Priests and Brothers

Marist priests and brothers are members of the Society of Mary, an international religious congregation in the Catholic Church. We are men who strive to live the Gospel the way Mary lived it. We are scattered to the four corners of the world but united in one heart and one mind under the patronage of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Marists respond to the desire of Mary, expressed in these words: “I supported the Church as it came to birth; I shall do so again at the end of time.” We wish to carry out this “work of Mary”, making her love and concern for the Church our own. We desire to share in her zeal for Jesus’ mission in the style of Mary, “hidden and unknown”, an unobtrusive presence in the Church.

In 1816, twelve young men, on the day after their ordination to the priesthood first Marist priests pledged themselves to establish a religious congregation bearing the name of Mary at the shrine of Our Lady of Fourviere in Lyons, France. Since then Marists priests and brothers have spread into seven.

The communities of the Society of Mary, working throughout the world, look to the leadership of the Superior General and his council who reside in Rome. They are responsible for the worldwide unity of the Society.