Marist Fathers

The congregation of the Marist Fathers or the Society of Mary (abbreviated as "S.M.") is a clerical congregation with simple vows, of pontifical right, founded in 1816 by the venerable Jean-Claude-Marie Colin and officially approved by Gregory XVI in 1836. The name Marist comes from Mary and it is a family name, “a tree with several branches” belonging to four religious congregations: Marist Brothers of the Schools, Marist Sisters, Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary and the Society of Mary (Marist Fathers and Brothers) as well as to many lay groups. 

To be a Marist is to have a sense of being chosen and called by Mary -a gracious choice, to imitate her spirit in all things: "to think, feel, judge and act like Mary". To be Marist is to learn to cultivate the spirit of humility, simplicity, compassion and mercy as Mary did. Marists are committed in doing the work of Mary throughout the world as understood by their venerable founder Jean-Claude Colin (1790-1875). 

In their endeavours, Marists contribute relentlessly to the work of evangelization wherever need may be. By so doing, they commit their lives to transform the church to reflect the “face of Mary”, a Marian Church, a spirit that is open, humble, relational, compassionate, loving, merciful, inclusive etc.