The Earliest Church Sole Model of the Society of Mary
February 16, 2009 by jmurphy
Filed under Justin Taylor
1. A Colinian theme Many texts prove that the earliest Church or newborn Church (in French l’eglise naissante) is for: Jean-Claude Colin the model, even the sole model, of the Society of Mary. Take FS 42,3. The year is 1841, and Fr. Colin is defending the preaching style of Fr. Etienne Seon, which some criticized […]
What is Marist Spirituality
February 16, 2009 by jmurphy
Filed under Justin Taylor
We often speak of Marist spirituality: but what is it? First, let us be clear that a spirituality is not a theology, nor is it a vision, a charism or one or more inspiring ideas, or even a spirit (cf. Craig Larkin, ‘Mary in the Church: The Basis of Marist Spirituality’, Rome, 1979, pp. 10-15, […]
What is Marist Spirituality? II
February 16, 2009 by jmurphy
Filed under Justin Taylor
1. Recapitulation We saw in the last talk that the spiritual formation that Jean-Claude Colin received in his early years, principally in the seminary, consisted of two strands. One of these was Jesuit. The Jesuit element belongs not only to Colin’s personal spirituality but also to the spirituality he wanted to inculcate in Marists. Notably, […]
What is Marist Spirituality? III
February 16, 2009 by jmurphy
Filed under Justin Taylor
I suppose most Marists, if asked where to find the essential expression of Marist spirituality, would refer to the article on The Spirit of the Society, nn. 49 and 50 of the Constitutions of 1872, which the General Chapter of 1985 inserted in the text of the new Constitutions (n. 228). They would very likely […]
The Challenge of Fr Colin’s Rule
February 15, 2009 by jmurphy
Filed under Justin Taylor
1. ‘The Rule’ In our Constitutions, n. 6, on The Name and Purpose of the Society, we read the following: ‘In striving to understand the meaning of the Society’s name, Marists turn to the Venerable Jean-Claude Colin, whom they claim as their founder. The Constitutions which he gave them remain for them the authentic expression […]
Mary and the Church
February 15, 2009 by jmurphy
Filed under Justin Taylor
When Jean-Claude Colin thinks of the Virgin Mary he tends to see her in relation to the Church, typically as supporting it at its birth and at the end of time. As we begin this retreat, I want to reflect with you on four ideas or expressions referring to Mary and the Church that are […]