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Marianist Communities and Groups
The
Marianist Associates
The
Marianist Associates is a group of adult Catholics who are so attracted to the
Marianist spirit as it is lived in Marianist community life that they aspire to
live their family life according to Marianist ideals. Members, married couples
and single persons and their families, are encouraged to grow in the spiritual
life by participating in a variety of interactions with other Associates such as
family programs, which are offered on a regular basis, as well as through social
and informal contacts in home areas. This branch of the family is primarily
clustered on the East coast.
The Marianist Affiliation
The Marianist Affiliation is membership in the Marianist Family through a
spiritual bond with the Society of Mary or the Daughters of Mary Immaculate.
Spiritual affiliation is a special vocation in the Church and the Marianist
Family. The person asking for affiliation feels called by God: (1) to live in
the world according to the spirit of the Rule of Life of the Society of Mary or
the Daughters of Mary Immaculate as far as possible; (2) to dedicate oneself to
Mary and her mission of embodying God's Word in our world by living an intense
Christian life according to Marianist spirituality; (3) to collaborate in and
support the life and works of the Society of Mary or the Daughters of Mary
Immaculate. Spiritual Affiliates sometimes strive individually to live these
commitments; frequently, affiliate groups form for mutual help in living their
vocation.
Marianist Leagues, Co-Workers, and Miriam
Guilds
Marianist Leagues, Co-Workers, and Miriam Guilds have been supportive of the
individual faith-lives of their members and of the works of the Society of Mary
for many years. Most persons in these groups are also Affiliates and they come
together to study Marianist spirit and to pray. The Marianist Leagues and the
Co-Workers, originally composed of Marianist Brothers, have promoted and
supported recruitment and perseverance of members of the Society of Mary. The
Marianist Co-Workers are no longer meeting as groups, but individuals are still
very much a part of the Marianist Family. Through fund-raising events they have
fostered interest in the work of the Society of Mary and offered financial and
moral support. The Miriam Guilds members are single business women who seek ways
to integrate their spirituality with their work.
The State
The
State is another vocation within the Marianist Family that traces its roots to
the foundation period in Bordeaux. Lay persons interested in an enduring
commitment within the Family take a vow, generally renewed annually, to be
faithful to their call within the Marianist Family and to nurture the growth of
the Family. The vow is one of Stability, a commitment unique to the Marianist
tradition and an outgrowth of Mary-centered spirituality. Members live out their
commitments through their work or other appropriate activities, through prayer,
and through involvement in Marianist lay communities. Although a State
commitment can be a private vow, most State members gather together in community
for mutual support and challenge.
L.I.F.E. Groups
L.I.F.E. Groups (Living In Faith Experiences) exist throughout North America
among high school students and young adults. These groups foster supports for
young people to make a personal choice to live a life based on Christ,
demonstrate models for engaging in and taking responsibility for community life,
provide opportunities for service, and assist the members to associate Gospel
values with issues faced by teenagers and young adults. Most L.I.F.E. Groups are
sponsored by schools or parishes, and adults from these institutions serve as
moderators and mentors.
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