November 2025 news

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin lists the various portfolios of the new General Council, as well as appointments to Casa di Maria, the Marist International Theologate. To download click here or go to Members' Page.                             [Nov 14]

Colin pilgrimage begins

Anticipating the sesquicentenary of the death of the Society of Mary's Founder, Ven Jean-Claude Colin, thirty professed and lay Marists from a dozen different countries have commenced a five-day pilgrimage in rural France. Based at the country retreat of La Neylière where Fr Colin died on Nov 15, 1875, the group has begun visiting places of significance in the life of the Founder beginning with his birthplace in the hamlet of Barbery and the nearby village of his boyhood, St Bonnet le Troncy.

Included in each day's visit is the presentation of a theme related to the particular place of pilgrimage, a picnic lunch and celebration of the Eucharist. Led by La Neylière's Fr Jean-Marie Bloqueau SM, the group is pictured below on their first day of pilgrimage. 

For daily updates go to the website of the Marist European province: click here.                             [Nov 12]  

Signs of Hope reflection

The Marist Family JPIC group gathered on Nov 08 at Hunters Hill to reflect on the Australian Bishops' statement on homeless and mental ill-health, Signs of Hope on the Edge. Among the participants were former Marist superiors-general, Sr Grace Ellul SM and Fr John Larsen SM. 

For the Marist Sisters' pictorial coverage of this event click here.                              [Nov 10]

Songs for Colin

As the 150th anniversary approaches of the death of the Society of Mary's Founder, Ven Jean-Claude Colin, the Marist Formation Houses have produced a number of songs to celebrate this event. Four of them are descrived below.

A five-day Colin Pilgrimage to several of the significant places in the life of Fr Colin will conclude at his resting place, La Neylière, on Nov 15.                              [Nov 09]

'Holy Name of Mary'

Composed by: 'Aisake Vaisima SM. Performed by: Casa di Maria Theologate, Rome, Italy. Youtube: https://youtu.be/02YwNzY0NQY

Song Lyrics: 1. Sing of Mary Most Holy Name, Star of the Sea, leading the way, Full of grace, her honor we raise, With Mary we rejoice and praise, Rejoice, rejoice and praise, we who bear her name, For the greater Glory of God, and to the honor of her Name. 
2. Call on Mary in times of need; Following her, we will not stray; Breath her name, in all of our days;; As Mary, we will find the way

'Chanter Marie Avec Colin'

Composed by: Joseph Arnaud Ondua SM. Performed by: Casa di Maria Theologate, Rome, Italy. To view on youtube: https://youtu.be/zbrO4Y4ZkIA

Song Lyrics: Je veux chanter Marie avec Colin; Car elle a fait jaillir en lui la vie; Timide, en peine, son cœur souffrait d’ennui; Et dans les bois il avait du répis.
Un jour, Courveille de Marie fut la voix; Qui dit les mots que son Cœur attendait; Avec ses amis, voilà que se dessine; La belle et humble Société de Marie.
À Notre Dame de Fourvière ils promirent; De tout offrir pour être de dignes fils; Donnant leurs vies pour servir Jésus-Christ; Partout où l’on vit seul et sans
abris. 
With Mary we say yes to Christ’s mission on earth, to bring his life to all the contrite hearts; To be vessels that he fills with his living water; which heals and makes all of us his friends

'Celebrate the Founder' - A Tribute Song

From the Marist International Novitiate, 'Cerdon', Davao City, Philippines. To view on Youtube: https://youtu.be/pKl_6f2lUxM

'Calling of Colin' 

From St Peter Chanel's formation community, Davao City, Philippines. To view on Youtube: click here. 

Fr Hoppys retreat notes

From the community of Misioneros Maristas, Tarija, Bolivia, Fr John ('Hoppy') Hopkinson SM shares the notes he has prepared for his team members to use in forthcoming retreats.

Fr Hoppy writes: 'As is our custom here, in mid-November our community of Misioneros Maristas have our final retreat and evaluation and planning to finish up our pastoral year and commence our new year as of the start of Advent.

'In my present days out at our farm, I have dedicated time to formulate our upcoming retreat in response to Gilbeto's request to give him a hand as he is responsible this year for our Marist Formation that includes preparation of our three retreats throughout the year and our monthly Desert Days.  

'So I have just finished my contribution in Spanish, but have also put it in English, thinking that it might be worthwhile to share it with other confreres as it looks to our Marist origins and to our Marist Project today as Misioneros Maristas, Bolivia.'

To download the retreat notes click here.  Thank you, Fr Hoppy !                             [Nov 07]

SM Bulletin and Kalendarium

From Rome this week's SM Bulletin reports on the appointment of Fr Jacob Aba SM as bishop of Auki, Solomon Islands, on the visit of Fiji's president to the General House and on the 2026 Colin calendar and novena. It is accompanied by the 2026 Kalendarium listing liturgical dates and Marist anniversaries for the New Year.

To download SM Bulletin click here and the Kalendarium click here or go to Members' Page.                             [Nov 07]

Marist Mission Workshop

This year's Marist Mission Workshop on inter-faith and inter-cultural dialogue began on Nov 05 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Participants from Marist Family branches and the RNDM Sisters represent eleven countries: Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Fiji, Germany, Hungary, India, Mexico, Philippines and Vietnam.   

Australian Marist, Fr Ben McKenna SM, has sent photos, below, of the workshop's first days.                               [Nov 07]

Colin Novena

Nov 15, 2025, marks the 150th anniversary of the death at La Neylière, France, of Fr Jean-Claude Colin, founder of the Society of Mary. 

His life, marked by humility, faith, and missionary zeal, continues to inspire us today. As we celebrate this anniversary, we are invited to rediscover the richness of our Marist charism and to live ever more deeply in the spirit of Mary — hidden, humble, and faithful.

This novena is a time of grace, a journey of prayer and reflection to renew our commitment to follow Christ in the way of Mary, just as Fr. Colin envisioned. May his example and intercession guide us in our mission and in our daily lives!

To download the novena (English) click here. For other languages visit the website of the Marist European Province: click here.                               [Nov 06]

Fr Paul's 97th

Oldest member of the Society of Mary's Australia District, Fr Paul Glynn SM, turned 97 on Nov 02. A Marist for 77 years and a priest for 68, Fr Paul was a special guest at Mass and luncheon at Montbel, Hunters Hill, on his birthday. The former Japan missionary and author was honoured during the Mass which also included Anointing of the Sick celebrated by Montbel community leader, Fr Ray Chapman. He is pictured below with relatives, fellow Marists and a birthday cake. Happy 97th, Fr Paul !                               [Nov 04]

Superior-General's reflection

In his first monthly reflection the Society of Mary's newly-elected Superior-General, Fr Declan Marmion SM, invites all Marists to study the General Chapter's 'Statements & Decisions' and to embrace its call to become 'one in and heart.' 

To download click here.                              [Nov 01]

New Marist bishop

On Oct 28 Pope Leo XIV appointed Fr Jacob Aba, SM, currently pastor of Holy Name of Mary Parish, Tanagai, Solomon Islands, as the Bishop of Auki, in the neighbouring province of Malaita.

Bishop-elect Jacob, a member of the Oceania Marist province, was recently on the team of the Marist international novitiate, Davao, and has a background in formation and parish pastoral ministry, as well as being a member of the Oceanian provincial council.

In 2014 Fr Jacob participated in a 'Spirituality and Lifestyle' program at Villa Maria, Hunters Hill, along with another Marist later to be appointed bishop of Wallis-Futuna, Bp Susitino Sionepoe. They are pictured below with Fr Peter McMurrich and with the S&L group with Fr Paul Sullivan.

Bishop Jacob's episcopal ordination is scheduled for January 2026. Congratulations, Bishop Jacob !                             [Nov 01]