Marist Sisters - Congregation of Mary (SM)

Throughout the history of the Church there have been people who have dreamed of something different. Early last century in France a group of seminarians had a dream – to form a new religious family under the name of Mary. They were convinced that the answer to the spiritual needs of their day was to breathe into the world something of the spirit of Mary. And so began the family of Marists – priests, brothers, sisters and lay people. Jeanne Marie Chavoin was the young woman who joined Jean Claude Colin and helped to form the branch of the family known as the Marist Sisters.

From the beginning, Marists have looked to Mary, the mother of Jesus, as their model of service to the people of their time. They are committed to doing her work and living out her spirit of faithful discipleship. Marist Sisters have ministered in Australia since 1908.

As religious women Marist Sisters are called to be in touch with life collaborating with Mary in bringing the compassionate presence of God to those most in need. They do this in a simple and unassuming way. As women of prayer and action they journey with and among people going beyond the differences of religion, nationality, culture or social background.

The Marist Sisters are an international congregation. Members are currently working in Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, Fiji, France, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Senegal, The Gambia, The Philippines, USA and Venezuela serving the many needs of people. In Australia sisters work for justice and are involved in education, nursing, parish ministry, university and prison chaplaincy, care of the aged and outreach to refugees, asylum seekers, as well as the poor and needy.

The period of formation is an important and privileged time – a time to discern one’s call and to grow in awareness of the richness and relevance of the Marist spirit and charism. Essential to the entire formation process is regular accompaniment, on-going discernment and daily prayer.

The initial period of formation is known as Pre-Candidacy. With the guidance of a nominated sister, the pre-candidate visits, prays and celebrates with a Marist community as she grows in her awareness of call and begins to discover how religious life is lived as a Marist. This experience is then deepened during Candidacy when the young women lives within a Marist community. The time of candidacy varies but lasts for at least nine months.

It is during the two year Novitiate period that the young woman is formally initiated into Marist Life. She sets aside her usual work/ministry and undertakes a period of human, spiritual, theological and Marist formation. If the Novice is accepted for Profession she takes vows of chastity, poverty and obedience initially for three years entering into a period of temporary profession. The period of temporary profession enables the Sister to continue her Marist formation for mission while participating actively in ministry and living in a community of the Region of Asia Pacific as she journeys to Perpetual profession in the Congregation of Mary.

Sr Noelene Simmons SM
Vocations Ministry
147 Hector Street
SEFTON NSW 2162

Telephone 02 9738 0666

Email:vocations@maristsisters.org

Website www.marists.org
www.maristsisters.org