Marist Brothers School

What is Marist Education?

The tradition of Catholic education that is known as “Marist” was begun by a French priest, Marcellin Champagnat, in 1817. Today, Marist schools, colleges and universities are found in over eighty countries around the world, leading hundreds of thousands of young people to be what Marcellin believed each of them could be – good Christians and good citizens.

Dismayed by the ignorance he found among the rural children of southern France and spurred on by a strong faith, Father Champagnat initially established a network of village schools. From the beginning, the school reflected many of the qualities of Marcellin himself: they were places where hard work and excellence in academic achievement were valued, places where the individual was genuinely loved and respected, places where a strong family spirit was evident, places where young people developed a positive sense of self, recognized their potential and used their gifts and talents for the benefit of the common good. A special concern was afforded to those students who found school difficult. Above all, the schools were places that had the Gospel at their heart, encouraging students to respond to it with the same faith and generosity Mary did.

The Mission of Today's Marist Schools

To lead young people to know and love Jesus and Mary, in the belief that they all can become good Christians and good citizens. Inspired by Marcellin Champagnat, Marist educators, before all else, love their students. Their Marial approach is marked by simplicity, family spirit, love of their work and presence in the midst of those whom they are called to serve. Marist schools welcome all young people, whatever their circumstances, offering each one an education which draws faith, culture and life into harmony.

The Marist Charism in Today's Schools

The charism received by Marcellin Champagnat is gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church, for the mission of the Church. For two centuries since Marcellin began his work, many people have chosen to embrace this Marist charism as their particular way of making Jesus Christ known and loved. In addition, this Marist charism has also provided a distinctive educational style that helps young people to recognize their own giftedness and teaches them to use those gifts to make a difference within our world. Today, the charism which is at the heart of Marist schools and other educational ministries is being expressed by both Brothers and lay men and women. Generations of teachers, have been inspired by the Marist way and have made it the foundation of their pedagogical creed. Marist schools, in their attempt to incarnate the Christian faith in American culture, have become known not only for their academic, athletic and extracurricular achievements but also for their concern for faith development, social justice and service to the community, and for creating a strong family spirit within the school community.

There are five (5) distinctive pillars that define the educational style and philosophy of Marist schools:

List of 5 items.

A Sense of Family Spirit
- Love of children and a closeness to them
- “To educate children first you must love them, and love them equally” - was Champagnat’s golden rule
- Relationships in the school that are reminiscent of how members of a good and loving family would relate to each other, especially with teachers dealing with students as big brothers and sisters to little brothers and sisters
- Warm, down-to-earth, unpretentious relationships
- A strong sense of community and hospitality
A Love of Our Work
- An enthusiasm for the work and mission of the school
- Generosity of heart and without any attention-seeking
- The honoring of all work and those who undertake it
- High expectations of student achievement
- Attentive to effective pedagogical methods and open to innovation
Simplicity
- This is a central gospel value and distinguishing Marist characteristic
- A preference for simplicity of method, of expression and action
- Transparency and genuineness in relationships
Presence
- “Being present” and “setting a good example”: the two pillars of Marcellin’s approach to education
- Pedagogy of presence: immersion in the lives of young people, looking for opportunities and ways to be with them and encouraging their efforts
- Dedicated to the art of teaching with an emphasis on Marist Pedagogy
- Recognizing learning styles and helping students achieve
In the Way of Mary
- Mary is the perfect model of a Marist educator
- Openness to the action and will of God, like Mary of the Annunciation
- Selflessness, humility and optimism like Mary of the Visitation
- Sharing in the motherhood of Mary by bringing Jesus to birth, even in the most unlikely of places, like Mary of Bethlehem
- Presenting Jesus to people, telling them to do as he wishes, like Mary of Cana
- Sitting with the suffering face of Jesus with love and faithfulness, like Mary of Calvary
- Forming community and sowing hope, like Mary of Pentecost