On 23rd July 2016, the Marist Family throughout the world will remember and celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the Fourvière Pledge - the day on which twelve newly-ordained priests, “striving to work together for the greater glory of God and the honor of Mary, Mother of the Lord Jesus”, went to Our Lady’s shrine in Fourvière (In Lyons, France) and made a promise to consecrate themselves to “founding the pious congregation of Marists.” These young men planted a small seed that would grow into a tree of many branches through which the spirit of Mary could gently penetrate our world in hidden and unknown ways.…………….
During the week leading up to the Bicentenary of the Fourvière Pledge, there will be an International Marist Youth Gathering (IMYG) in Lyon. Almost 500 young people (18-30 years of age) and the Marists who accompany them will be engaged in an intense time of prayer, reflection, learning and celebration of what it means to be Marist today through the theme: Dare to Dream.
Participants include 47 young people who are connected with the Marist Missionary Sisters from England, Jamaica, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tonga and the USA, accompanied by two lay adults and six Sisters. Other SMSM from the Region of Africa-Europe and the General Council will be present at the event or engaged with the young people at Ste. Foy on one of the days. Please pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all of those who will participate in the IMYG. (Excerpt from a letter of Sr. Georgeanne Marie Donovan, congregational leader of the SMSM , Rome, June 22, 2016)