March 2026 news

Fr Gaston Lessard SM, RIP

The Society of Mary has lost one of its most outstanding Colinian scholars with the death of Fr Gaston Lessard SM, 95, at Quebec, Canada, on Mar 28.

A priest for 70 years and a Marist for 76, Fr Gaston devoted much of his life to the studies of Marist Founder, Ven Jean-Claude Colin, collaborating with the late Fr Jean Coste SM in producing the monumental volumes of 'Origines Maristes', published in 1968.

Among his last contributions to Colinian studies were videoed lectures on the Cause of Fr Colin (2014). Click for  English   |   French.   

In 2017, responding to a request from the Marist General Council, Fr Gaston authored a book, 'Who is Jean-Claude Colin for me?' which was distributed to all Marists worldwide (click here for the report). At the time he commented: 'Jean-Claude Colin has been my companion for the last sixty years. I single out three moments in this long fellowship. The first is the summer of 1956, which I spent with Jean Coste as we visited the places where Colin had lived. The second came soon after: I spent two years indexing the Mayet Memoirs. The third came much later and lasted longer: it is the time I spent editing the letters that Colin wrote until the end of his life.'

In an article in the Marist publication, Forum Novum, in Dec 2014, Fr Gaston addressed criticism of Fr Colin by contemporary writers concerning 'The Marist Founding Myth'. Click here.

As the Beatification Cause of Jean-Claude Colin progresses Fr Gaston Lessard will be sadly missed. May he rest in peace.                                   [Mar 31]

USA e-Newsletter

The latest e-Newsletter of the Marist USA Province continues its pictorial coverage of local and international Marist events.

To download click here.                               [Mar 31]

Novitiate begins

During a recent ceremony (pictured below) at the Marist International Novitiate, Eden, Davao, eight young men commenced their year of formation as Marist novices. Coming from Africa, Oceania and Vietnam they have recently completed several weeks of orientation which included living with Filipino families in Mindanao.

Novice Master, Fr Xavier Sariman SM, presided at the enrolment ceremony. He will be assisted during the novitiate by socius, Fr Thilo Saft SM.

We wish the new novitiate community every blessing in these coming months.                             [Mar 30]

Newly-professed in Rome

Following their taking of first vows in the Philippines on Mar 25 (see below, Six new Marists), the six newly-professed Marist seminarians have arrived in Rome to commence their theological studies.

Arnaud Elo Komi, Bernard Ngala, Brandon Ngua, Sylvestre Mbula, Thomas Manihera and Pouono Vea, pictured below, were welcomed at the Marist International Theologate by rector, Fr Pat Breeze SM, and the Casa di Maria community which nows represents fifteen nationalities.

They will shortly begin orientation and language studies prior to commencing theological studies at one or other of Rome's universities.                             [Mar 30]

Superior-General's Reflection

After his recent visit to Asia, Fr Declan Marmion reflects on Marist mission and community life.

To download click here or go to Members' Page.                               [Mar 27]

Fr Hoppy's Easter letter

From Tarija, Bolivia, Fr John ('Hoppy') Hopkinson SM sends his Easter letter from the Misioneros Maristas community. He is pictured below with co-founders, Javier and Gilberto.  To download click here.                                   [Mar 27]

Six new Marists

During a ceremony on Mar 25 at St Michael Archangel Quasi Parish, Davao, Philippines, six young men made their first profession in the Society of Mary. They are Arnaud Elo Komi (Togo), Bernard Ngala (Cameroon), Brandon Ngua (Cameroon), Sylvestre Mbula (Democratic Republic of Congo), Thomas Manihera (Aotearoa - New Zealand) and Pouono Vea (Tonga).

NZ Marist Provincial, Fr Mervyn Duffy SM presided at the Eucharist in the company of a local bishop, fellow Marists and clergy and members of the Marist Family. Marist Asia District Superior, Fr Kevin Medilo SM, accepted the vows, witnessed by a Marist Brother and Sister.

Scenes from the profession are pictured below including the six new Marists, each holding a copy of the Constitutions of the Society of Mary.

Congratulations, Arnauid, Bernard, Brandon, Sylvestre, Thomas and Pouono !                                     [Mar 27]

Grace in Jean-Claude Colin

Fr Tom Ryan SM has completed another thoughtful reflection on the person, spirituality and teachings of Marist Founder, Ven Jean-Claude Colin, in his latest paper 'Grace in Jean-Claude Colin: a pastoral perspective relevant today?'. 

The work is now available of the Colin website's 'Writings' page and adds to the growing body of resources concerning Fr Colin. It can also be downloaded here: click here.  Thank you, Fr Tom !                      [Mar 24]

Mission Newsletter

The Autumn issue of the Marist Mission Centre newsletter reports on projects in Bangladesh, the Solomon Islands and the Philippines. 

To download click here or go to Members' Page.                              [Mar 23]

SM Bulletin

The latest issue of SM Bulletin reports on a display of St Francis of Assisi's bones, Fr Pat Brophy's visit to Cameroon and ministry centre in Auckland.

To download click here or go to Members' Page.                              [Mar 23]

Euroinfo

The March issue of Euroinfo includes Fr Paddy O'Hare's reflections on life in Japan and reports on vocations promotion and the future of Marist education in Europe.

To download click here or go to Members' Page.                              [Mar 17]

Visit of Fr John Craddock

As part of an 'Apostleship of the Sea' experience, New Zealand Marist, Fr John Craddock SM, paid a visit to Sydney confreres at Montbel on Mar 15. In Napier, NZ, Fr John has the care of a local Marist community and during his Hunters Hill visit caught up with fellow Kiwi Marists at Montbel.

He is pictured, below, in the foyer of Montbel during his visit with a reproduction of the portrait of Marist Founder, Ven Jean-Claude Colin, painted in 1925 by Lyonnais artist, Antoine ('Tony') Tollet. It is likely that Fr John was the first to rediscover the historic portrait during a visit in 2009 to La Neylière, France, where Fr Colin is buried. The dust-covered portrait had lain unattended for over half a century.

In subsequent years the Tollet portrait of Fr Colin was carefully photographed and has been widely circulated throughout the Marist world.   For more on the Tollet portrait click here.                            [Mar 15]

USA e-Newsletter

The e-Newsletter of the Marist USA Province is available once more featuring pictorial summaries of local and international Marist events.

To download click here.                               [Mar 14]

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin reports on a minivan for Yaoundé formation community, two new publications and an Australian author, Tony Birch's, literary success at La Neylière. 

To download click here or go to Members' Page.                               [Mar 14]

Brothers Three at rest

In a ceremony (pictured below) on Mar 11 in the mission cemetery of Villa Maria, Hunters Hill, the ashes of Fr Paul Glynn SM were interred alongside the resting place of his brothers and fellow-Marists, Frs John and Tony Glynn.

District Superior, Fr Gavin Foster, presided at the event assisted by Fr Ray Chapman in the presence of Japanese Consul-General, Mr Osamu Yamanaka, who laid a wreath over Fr Paul's ashes and participated in an incense ceremony with family members, Marist confreres and friends.

Another portion of Fr Paul's ashes was recently intered in the cemetery of Gose, Japan. 

For more on the death of Fr Paul Glynn and a summary of his life, click here and click here (funeral Mass).                            [Mar 11]

A word of encouragement

On Mar 09, 1822, the Marist pioneers received a letter of encouragement from Pope Pius VII, a letter of encouragement. On behalf of his fellow aspirants, Marist Founder, Jean-Claude Colin, had been hard at work doing the groundwork for the eventual approval of the Society of Mary.

In the sixth chapter of his biography 'Jean-Claude Colin, Reluctant Founder', ('Attempts to establish the Society of Mary') Fr Justin Taylor describes in detail the events leading up to the letter and its eventual arrival, including the delight of the Colin brothers when they received the Pope's message: 'The letter from Rome arrived at the presbytery at Cerdon. Pierre Colin tells us how he and his brother received it. Filled with joy they went to the church to give thanks to God.' 

Whilst Pope Pius' letter was not an official approval, nevertheless is came as a boost to the spirits of the early Marists, making Mar 09 a special date in the Marist calendar. 

The anniversary, along with other dates of Marist significance, is noted in the Colin calendar produced annually for those wishing to celebrate Marist anniversaries. The calendar reminds Marists of suggested Mass intentions for particular anniversaries. On Mar 09 they remember deceased confreres.                         [Mar 09]

SM Bulletin

This week's SM Bulletin reports on the 20th anniversary events in Ranong and the Asia District Assembly, the DC 2025 and an alumni retreat for Marist School, Atlanta.

To download click here or go to Members' Page.                                  [Mar 06]

Farewell to Fr David Wilson

A vigil ceremony on Mar 05 at Montbel, Hunters Hill, preceded the funeral of Fr David Wilson SM at Holy Name of Mary church on Mar 06 as Asian Catholics joined family and Marists to farewell their former chaplain who died on Feb 26.

District Superior, Fr Gavin Foster, presided at the Requiem while Fr Jim Carty led the committal prayers before the burial in Villa Maria monastery's mission cemetery.  A eulogy was presented by Fr David's niece, Linda Wride, and the homily preached by Fr Michael Whelan. Franciscan chaplains from the Chinese Catholic community concelebrated the Mass.

Click here for more about Fr David and his life and ministry.  May he rest in peace.                              [Mar 06]

Fr Paul Hachey returns to USA

Sydney-based Marists gathered at Montbel, Hunters Hill, on Mar 04 to thank and farewell Fr Paul Hachey SM after his years of service in the Australian Province/District. 

Fr Paul, a graduate of St Paul's Pontifical University, Ottawa, has spent almost ten years as a member of the St Patrick's, Church Hill, community during which time he was available for some time to work at the Marriage Tribunal of the Sydney Archdiocese. 

At his farewell Fr Gavin Foster, District Superior, and Fr Michael Whelan, former parish priest of St Patrick's, expressed their appreciation of Fr Paul's cheerful and competent presence while in Australia.

Fr Paul left on Mar 05 to join the community of Marist School, Atlanta, and take up a position as a judge on the Marriage Tribunal of Atlanta Archdiocese.

Bon voyage, Fr Paul, and thank you!                                [Mar 05]