Society of Mary Calendar. The Marists: Mission as Prophetic Dialogue THE MARISTS IN THE UNITED STATES

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1 ociety of ary HE ARI IN HE UNIED AE he arists: ission as Prophetic Dialogue Calendar

2 ary of Nazareth, the first disciple of the Lord and other of the Church, is the heart of our identity as arists. his remarkable woman of faith has called us to this way of life. e believe that we have been called by a gracious choice into the family of ary. It is her work that we do and so we commit ourselves to think, judge, feel and act as she did. As a consequence, these qualities mark us as arists: mercy and compassion, availability, welcome and hospitality, simplicity manifest in everyday ordinariness and a common touch. e are self-effacing apostles who demonstrate a spirit of joy and respect for others; we are called to be humble and hidden and unknown in the world. Our spirituality, which is both mystical and practical, responds to the reality and circumstances of today s world. Jean-Claude Colin, acting on what he believed to be ary s desire, encouraged us to establish a arian Church, a Church with the heart of a mother beating at its center. At our best, we are instruments of God s mercy working to help others taste the boundless love of the Lord, especially those who find themselves on the margins. As arists, we seek to go where the Church is not. e should enable all with whom we come into contact to experience the gift of reconciliation as well as peace of heart and mind. ary is the icon of God s pirit. As her fellow disciples, we pray that with God s grace we become the same. tatement of Identity, U Province of the arists Assembly and Chapter of June

3 he arists: ission as Prophetic Dialogue In our U.. province publication, oday s arists, we have been focusing our themes of each issue on the excellent orld Day of Peace essage of Pope rancis Nonviolence: A tyle of Politics for Peace for our violent times. e have brought in reflections by and on Dorothy Day; Peace Pilgrim; the ant Egidio Community; ocolare; our own r. Gerard Hall,, a scholar on the mission of the Church and of the ociety of ary; Paul VI and his encyclical on the Church as a Communion in dialogue, Ecclesiam uam; Pax Christi. Our Calendar theme for carries this focus further in images and inspiring quotations for each month from Pope rancis and Gerard Hall,. e will let Gerard Hall, do the introducing from his excellent text calling arists to this mission as a retrieval of our founding Colinian mission. It is a short excerpt from his longer paper, arist ission as Prophetic Dialogue. His paper helps clarify that this is what r. Colin called arists to be in our Church and world. e were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her children... e are determined to share with you not only the Gospel of God but also our own selves because you have become very dear to us. ( hess. :-) ission as Dialogue ission implies a task to be accomplished; dialogue suggests that task be undertaken in spirit of respect, openness and willingness to learn. o speak of a missionary spirituality of dialogue implies the ability to communicate with a listening heart. It gives priority to establishing relationships, first and foremost with God and, secondly, with those to whom we are sent on mission. he approach is one that underscores the importance of mission being done in a spirit of vulnerability and humility as well as patience and courage. One must also be open to being evangelised by those whom we seek to evangelise recalling that God s gifts and the seeds of the ord are already present in the lives of others. In this way, mission is mutual encounter among persons. Paul VI long ago described the ideal relationship between the Church and the world as one of dialogue. e could also learn much from the Asian Churches for whom the Church is the sacrament and community of dialogue. A missionary spirituality of dialogue includes the spirit of repentance and reconciliation. John Paul II s initiatives in this regard are significant in seeking forgiveness for the Catholic Church s sins against Jews, uslims, women, Indigenous peoples and other religions. uch betrayal of the Gospel includes misplaced attempts to evangelise via methods of violence and intolerance and acts of persecution. he Pope s admission of guilt on behalf of the Church and individual Christians displays a remarkable humility, reliance on God s mercy, and confidence in the Holy pirit to achieve authentic reconciliation with aggrieved parties. In the current climate, the Church is now finding itself needing to ask forgiveness for sins of sexual abuse especially against children. hese and other examples are clearly issues of serious moral failure. Perhaps even more poignant has been the failure of contrition and a tendency to cover-up for such grave misdeeds in the mistaken belief of protecting the Church s image. his demonstrates in a profound way the Church s need for ongoing self-evangelisation and repentance which, in turn, demand a commitment to heartfelt dialogue with the Lord and those who have suffered at the hands of the Church and her members. Dialogue highlights both presence and witness. he mission of presence and witness is what distinguishes the Church in its foundations. Inspired by the Holy pirit, believers came to experience the risen Christ in their midst empowering them to live in communion with one another and the living God. o be Christian is to witness to this experience as the very foundation for mission. his experience of the divine presence overflows into the mission of loving service, liberating action and the dialogue of life. o speak of witness, service and dialogue as ways of being present to people demands that one be self-effacing in imitation of Christ who humbled himself and became as we are, offering his life that others may live. It is this self-emptying, self-giving love that establishes and transforms life-giving relationships. Examples such as other eresa, rancis of Assisi, Charles de oucauld, Peter Chanel, rancis Xavier and herese of Lisieux exhibit in various ways this gentle, non-imposing mission of presence and witness or what we are calling mission as dialogue.

4 On this occasion, I would like to reflect on nonviolence as a style of politics for peace. I ask God to help all of us to cultivate nonviolence in our most personal thoughts and values. ay charity and nonviolence govern how we treat each other as individuals, within society, and in international life. Pope rancis Nonviolence: A tyle of Politics for Peace

5 UNDAY ONDAY UEDAY EDNEDAY HURDAY RIDAY AURDAY ary, other of God New Year s Day t. Elizabeth Ann eton t. John Neumann Epiphany of the Lord observed Acceptance of issions of Oceania, ass and Prayers for ociety of ary artin Luther King Day t. arianne Cope t. rancis de ales econdary Patron of ociety of ary t. homas Aquinas econdary Patron of ociety of ary 0 January DECEBER 0 EBRUARY

6 As inspiration for prophetic dialogue, we need to go no further than ary s agnificat. he prophetic element is clear in the verses that sing of collapsing thrones and humbled lords of this world, about God protecting the weak, raising the lowly, and scattering the proud-of-heart. Gerald Hall, arist ission as Prophetic Dialogue

7 UNDAY ONDAY UEDAY EDNEDAY HURDAY RIDAY AURDAY east of the Presentation of the Lord arists Renew heir Vows Our Lady of Lourdes Ash ednesday st unday of Lent President s Day nd unday of Lent Approbation of r. Colin s Constitutions, ass and Prayers for ociety of ary ebruary JANUARY 0 ARCH 0

8 hen victims of violence are able to resist the temptation to retaliate, they become the most credible promoters of nonviolent peacemaking. Pope rancis Nonviolence: A tyle of Politics for Peace

9 UNDAY ONDAY UEDAY EDNEDAY HURDAY RIDAY AURDAY t. Katherine ary Drexel rd unday of Lent Laudatory Brief of Pope Pius VII ass and Prayers for ociety of ary th unday of Lent Daylight avings ime Begins t. Patrick s Day th unday of Lent t. Joseph Patron of ociety of ary observed irst Day of pring Palm unday Holy hursday Good riday Holy aturday 0 arch EBRUARY 0 APRIL

10 ary, speaking in the long tradition of Israel s women prophets (iriam, Deborah, Hannah, Judith), proclaims God s liberation for oppressed peoples everywhere. Gerald Hall, arist ission as Prophetic Dialogue

11 UNDAY ONDAY UEDAY EDNEDAY HURDAY RIDAY AURDAY Easter unday Divine ercy unday Annunciation Earth Day t. Peter Chanel, artyred ass and Prayers for Vocations to ociety of ary Pontifical Approbation of the ociety of ary by Pope Gregory XVI, ass and Prayers for the ociety of ary 0 April ARCH 0 AY 0

12 Peacebuilding through active nonviolence is the natural and necessary complement to the Church s continuing efforts to limit the use of force by the application of moral norms: she does so by her participation in the work of international institutions and through the competent contribution made by so many Christians to the drafting of legislation at all levels. Jesus himself offers a manual for this strategy of peacemaking in the ermon on the ount. Pope rancis Nonviolence: A tyle of Politics for Peace

13 UNDAY ONDAY UEDAY EDNEDAY HURDAY RIDAY AURDAY t. Damien de Veuster other s Day Pentecost unday Ascension t. Philip Neri rinity unday ass and Prayers for Living Benefactors emorial Day Visitation of he Blessed Virgin ary 0 ay 0 APRIL JUNE 0

14 In a world where cruelty and violence all too often reign, the agnificat proclaims that God s mercy and justice will be finally victorious. he agnificat is ary s version of Jesus ermon of the ount (att.:-). Gerard Hall, arist ission as Prophetic Dialogue

15 UNDAY ONDAY UEDAY EDNEDAY HURDAY RIDAY AURDAY Corpus Christi t. arcellin Champagnat, died 0 acred Heart of Jesus ather s Day irst Day of ummer olemnity of ts. Peter and Paul ass for the Pope 0 June AY 0 0 JULY

16 his is also a programme and a challenge for political and religious leaders, the heads of international institutions, and business and media executives: to apply the Beatitudes in the exercise of their respective responsibilities. It is a challenge to build up society, communities, and business by acting as peacemakers. It is to show mercy by refusing to discard people, harm the environment, or seek to win at any cost. Pope rancis Nonviolence: A tyle of Politics for Peace

17 UNDAY ONDAY UEDAY EDNEDAY HURDAY RIDAY AURDAY t. Junipero erra Independence Day t. Peter Chanel, born 0 Bl. Carlos anuel Rodriguez antiago t. Kateri ekakwitha Pledge at ourvière to found the ociety of ary,. ass and Prayers for ociety of ary ts. Anne and Joachim, parents of ary, grandparents of Jesus 0 July JUNE 0 AUGU 0

18 ary s response to Elizabeth who initiates the conversation by praising ary and sharing her joy... the image is one of two poor, pregnant women responding to each other in need and placing God at the center of their lives. Gerard Hall, arist ission as Prophetic Dialogue

19 UNDAY ONDAY UEDAY EDNEDAY HURDAY RIDAY AURDAY t. Alphonsus de Liguori econdary Patron of ociety of ary t. Peter Julian Eymard, ormer arist ounder Blessed acrament Congregations t. John Baptiste Vianney, the Curé of Ars hird Order, in eminary with r. Colin ransfiguration r. Jean-Claude Colin,, born 0 olemnity of the Assumption of ary arists Renew heir Vows 0 August 0 JULY EPEBER 0

20 Peacebuilding requires the willingness to face conflict head on, to resolve it and to make it a link in the chain of a new process (Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, ). o act in this way means to choose solidarity as a way of making history and building friendship in society. Pope rancis Nonviolence: A tyle of Politics for Peace

21 UNDAY ONDAY UEDAY EDNEDAY HURDAY RIDAY AURDAY Labor Day irst Vows of arist isters, Nativity of he Blessed Virgin ary th Anniversary of American National ragedy olemnity of the ost Holy Name of ary arist Patronal east ass and Prayers for ociety of ary Our Lady of orrows irst Day of Autumn Election of irst uperior General of ociety of ary, irst Profession of arists ass and Prayers for ociety of ary t. Vincent de Paul econdary Patron of ociety of ary t. ichael Archangel with Archangels Gabriel and Raphael Patron of ociety of ary 0 eptember AUGU 0 OCOBER 0

22 hrough prophecy and dialogue, ary and Elizabeth minister to each other in a situation of personal confusion, social exclusion, and political oppression. Here, in this lowly place, they sing of God s transforming power coming to life in the birth of the essiah. Gerald Hall, arist ission as Prophetic Dialogue

23 UNDAY ONDAY UEDAY EDNEDAY HURDAY RIDAY AURDAY arist College in Atlanta opens, 0 Became arist chool in and moved to suburban DeKalb County t. other héodore Guérin t. rancis of Assisi Bl. rancis Xavier eelos Columbus Day Jesuit artyrs of North America 0 October EPEBER 0 NOVEBER 0

24 It will help the Church to promote in an ever more effective way the inestimable goods of justice, peace, and care of creation and concern for migrants, those in need, the sick, the excluded and marginalized, the imprisoned and the unemployed, as well as victims of armed conflict, natural disasters, and all forms of slavery and torture (Apostolic Letter issued otu Proprio). ary is the Queen of Peace. At the birth of her on, the angels gave glory to God and wished peace on the earth to men and women of good will(cf. Luke :) Let us pray for her guidance. Pope rancis Nonviolence: A tyle of Politics for Peace

25 UNDAY ONDAY UEDAY EDNEDAY HURDAY RIDAY AURDAY All aints ass for Deceased arists ass for Deceased Benefactors Daylight avings ime Ends Christ he King Veteran s Day t. rances Xavier Cabrini Death of r. Jean-Claude Colin,, ass and Prayers for ociety of ary t. Rose Philippine Duchesne Presentation of the Blessed Virgin ary hanksgiving Day 0 November OCOBER 0 0 DECEBER

26 In our own day, the agnificat is also properly interpreted in relation to the church s option for the poor ary s agnificat, as a song of prophetic dialogue, continues to be a dangerous memory calling Christians to ever more authentic Christian life and missionary praxis. or arists, it is ary herself who inspires their particular approach to evangelization by calling them to be a arian presence in the Church and world of our time. Indeed, they must think, judge, feel and act as ary in all things. Gerald Hall, arist ission as Prophetic Dialogue

27 UNDAY ONDAY UEDAY EDNEDAY HURDAY RIDAY AURDAY irst unday of Advent Immaculate Conception Our Lady of Guadalupe irst Day of inter Christmas 0 December NOVEBER 0 JANUARY 0

28 ociety of ary Province in the United tates he agnificat he Prayer of ary y soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my avior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. rom this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever. (Lk :-) OCIEY O ARY INORAION Please contact us about arist locations in the U.. and abroad by contacting arist Provincial House in ashington, D.C. at - or info@maristsociety.org. O UPPOR HE ARI IN HE U.. arist athers & Brothers of the United tates Office of Development Isabella treet, Boston, A 0- r. Paul Carr, Director s. Denise D Amico, ecretary elephone: -- ax: -- maristdevelopment@gmail.com O UPPOR HE ARI IION arist oreign issions Office of the United tates Isabella treet, Boston, A 0- Rev. alter Gaudreau,.., Director r. Paul Carr, Associate s. Denise D Amico, ecretary Office: --0 ax: -- aristissions@gmail.com COVER Image with permission from King Richard s Liturgical Design and Contracting Rev. Paul rechette,.., Provincial uperior he ociety of ary in the United tates of America Varnum treet, NE ashington, DC 0 At our best, we are instruments of God s mercy working to help others taste the boundless love of the Lord, especially those who find themselves on the margins. As arists, we seek to go where the Church is not. e should enable all with whom we come into contact to experience the gift of reconciliation as well as peace of heart and mind. ary is the icon of God s pirit. As her fellow disciples, we pray that with God s grace we become the same. (tatement of Identity for the U Province ) societyofmaryusa.org