*** MARIST ORIGINS *** MARIST FATHERS & BROTHERS *** MARIST BROTHERS *** MARIST SISTERS *** MARIST MISSIONARY SISTERS *** MARIST LAITY ***

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*** MARIST ORIGINS *** MARIST FATHERS & BROTHERS *** MARIST BROTHERS *** MARIST SISTERS *** MARIST MISSIONARY SISTERS *** MARIST LAITY *** 〰️

A coat of arms featuring a shield with a blue top and a gold star, surrounded by a wreath of olive branches and gold ribbons with the Latin motto "SVB MARIA NOMINE."
Statue of the Virgin Mary on top of a church dome, overlooking a cityscape.
A classical portrait of a man with light skin, short brown hair, wearing black clerical clothing, holding his hands together, with a neutral expression, set against a warm, softly illuminated background.

The Marist crest symbolizes the Marist family and their mission. It usually features the letter “M” for Mary, a cross for Christ, and sometimes a heart or rays of light, reminding Marists to live with humility, simplicity, and devotion in the spirit of Mary.

On July 23, 1816, twelve Marist aspirants including Marcellin Champagnat and Jean‑Claude Colin climbed to Our Lady of Fourvière in Lyon and placed their promise to found the Society of Mary under the altar, beginning the Marist Family (priests, brothers, sisters, laity).

Marcellin Joseph Benedict Champagnat, FMS was a French Catholic priest who founded the Marist Brothers, a religious congregation of brothers devoted to Mary and dedicated to education. He was canonized in 1999 and his feast day is 6 June, his death anniversary.

An ornate religious altar with gold accents, featuring a central statue cloaked in white, flanked by smaller statues and candles.

Notre Dame du Puy is the spiritual birthplace of the Marist Family, where Jean-Claude Courveille, in the early 19th century, was healed of blindness and inspired to found the Society of Mary. It remains an important pilgrimage site, symbolizing the Marist commitment to a Marian and “hidden” way of life in the Church.

A man dressed as a historical figure in a black robe and hat, with glasses and white hair, standing in front of a bookshelf.
Portrait of a woman dressed as a nun with a white head covering and a black veil, looking directly at the camera.

Jean-Claude Colin founded the Marist Fathers (priests and brothers of the Society of Mary). Born near the end of the 18th century in revolutionary France, he believed the Blessed Virgin wanted people to continue her work during a time of upheaval. From this inspiration he began the Marist family: a new group of consecrated religious and laypeople in the Church.

Jeanne-Marie Chavoin and Jean-Claude Colin together founded the Marist Sisters, a Catholic religious institute of women. Jeanne-Marie was born in the village of Coutouvre, France. She met Fr Pierre Colin when he was parish priest at Coutouvre.