A Catholic Monthly Magazine

A Short History of the Marist Brothers (0)

Part 3 of 4

As we have seen in Fr Poupinel’s letter of 1865, the close association of the congregation and the Society of Mary continued in the founding of the schools. It was Marist vicars-apostolic and bishops who invited the brothers to their missions and dioceses and Marist priests who asked them to open schools in their parishes.… More

November Crossword (0)

Catholic Crossword

Fr John Thornhill SM (0)

Born in Brisbane, 13 May 1929
Professed, 2 February 1949
Ordained, 30 October 1955
Died in Sydney, 28 July 2019

Tribute by Fr Thomas Ryan SM

Among the many cameos of John’s life in the funeral eulogy of his nephew Eric Robinson, what stood out were the deep affection and love that were, and are, part of his family.… More

Fr John Lopdell Mori SM (Comments Off)

Born in Napier, 5 May 1943
Professed at Highden, 7 January 1963
Ordained, 1 July 1967
Died in Napier, 24 July 2019

Although John was born in Napier, his family later moved to Wellington. He was educated at the Petone Convent School and St Patrick’s College town.… More

Fr (Patrick) John O’Neill SM (1)

Born in Fairlie, 19 September 1926
Professed, 4 February 1944
Ordained, 17 December 1950
Died in Wellington, 28 August 2019

John O’Neill was small of stature but large of intellect, a high achiever who led a humble and simple life; one who confidently engaged with political and educational leaders, but gave his life to teaching young people at school; an intellectual with two Masters degrees, one from Victoria University (NZ) and one from Cambridge University (UK), who happily lived a quiet religious life.… More

Reflecting on All Souls’ Day (0)

Since the very beginning of the Marist Messenger, there has been a great care for, and devotion to, the souls in purgatory. As well as the ‘Remembering Our Dead’ page each month, the November issue has invariably carried an article and / or an editorial about the celebration of All Souls.… More

Third World Day of the Poor (0)

17 November

Daily we encounter families forced to leave their homeland to seek a living elsewhere; orphans who have lost their parents or were violently torn from them by brutal means of exploitation; young people seeking professional fulfilment but prevented from employment by short sighted economic policies; victims of different kinds of violence, ranging from prostitution to the narcotics trade, and profoundly demeaned.… More

Climate Change – A Modern Day Plague (0)

The growing threat of climate change reminds me of two Old Testament readings. The first is a warning and the second is a consolation.

The warning is given in Exodus. When Moses asked the Pharaoh to let the Israelites go, and the Pharaoh said no, God sent nine plagues  – water turns to blood, the plague of frogs, mosquitoes, horseflies, death of livestock, boils, hail, locusts and darkness – and the Pharaoh still said “no”.… More

The Bugey (Comments Off)

in Early Society of Mary History

Part 2 of 2

Text and photos by the Editor

The Marists conducted missions in 27 parishes in the Bugey region of France between 1825 and 1829. The first three were in La Balme, Corlier and Izenave (see last month’s MM). … More

Celebrating 90 Years  – Marist Messenger 1987 — 2019 (0)

The Editors

Michael Unverricht was the editor from 1986 until 1998. His successor was Christopher Rae (1999-2000), and he was followed by Fr Carl Telford (April 2000-2004), and Fr Brian O’Connell (2005-2013). In regard to the MM’s survival for so long, Fr Telford wrote that he believed it had continued “because it is part of Mary’s work, present in the Church, humbly focused on helping others to pray and grow in the Christ-life.… More

MM 50 Years Ago (0)

Marist Third Order
The Very Rev Father General reported to the Marist General Chapter in October that the total Third Order membership was 15,394 in 231 groups. Eight years ago there were more members, 18,226, but only 192 groups.
The present lower figures can well be due to the fact that the old rolls have now been “purged” of deceased or nominal members, but the fact remains that fewer younger members are persevering.… More

One by One (0)

Everything I have is a gift from God, and He’s taking the gifts back one by one.

-- My friend’s comment on the aging process, 2016.

As the days, weeks, months, and even years fly by, my friend’s comment resonates deeply.… More

2019 ACPA Awards (0)

ACPA Awards 2019 honour the Marist Messenger

St Patrick’s Basilica Renewed (Comments Off)

Tented scaffolding has been erected around St Patrick’s Basilica in Macandrew Rd, Dunedin, as part of a $1.7 million preservation project.

St Patrick’s redevelopment committee chairman, Sean Toomey, says the current work involves earthquake-strengthening, removing the roof to fix leaks and install new damp-proof floors.… More

Walking the Ignatian Camino – Part 1 of 2 (0)

I wanted to do a long retreat, and having been to Santiago de Compostela some years ago by train, I chose a different walk.

November Saints (0)

Saint Raphael Kalinowski
(1835-1907)

Joseph Kalinowski was born in Vilna, Russian Poland (now Vilnius, Lithuania). Raised as a devout Catholic, he was educated at home and then at the local College of Nobility. He felt called to the priesthood but chose to go to university first.… More