THE MARIST BROTHERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3186, 10 September 1917, Page 6

THE MARIST BROTHERS

CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS HISTORY OF THE ORDER / -AN INTERESTING SBKMON. Iho Marisfc Brothers' ceni.onary celebrations in Wellington were coinmeßcwJ ycstorday. In the morning" there was Solemn High Mass at St. Mary of tho Angels, Boulcott Street. Rev. Pather 0. Mahoney was tho celebrant, Rev. Father Outrim deacon, and Rev. Father B. Ryan sub-deacon. All of theso aro old boys of Atarist schools. Archbishop Redwood was present. Tho service ■ was attended by men only, and the church was crowded. There were about 500 at Holy Communion. The music for the service was provided by the Marist Boys' Choir. In tlie evening the church was ag.iin crowded. An interesting sermon, appropriate to the occasion, was preached by the Rev. Father S. Mahoney. Father Mahoney dealt at length with tho life of Father Champagnat the founded of the Marist Order. Fitnei Cliampagnat, i'.e said, was not one of tho world's hereos; he was not eloquent, nor a great writer; ho was not noble, but lowly; he was not wealthy, and lived in seclusion; yet after tho lapse of a century his memory was green. Father ChampasnAt was born on May 25, 1789, in a village in the diocese of Lyons. His early days were spent amongst religious but illiterate people, so that later in life he knew the wants that should be provided for. When ho was growing up ho intended to go into business, but ho changed his mind and entered a seminary. France then had just emerged from the horrors of the Revolution, and was in sore need of priests to fill the places of those who had been martyred and done to death during the iwvfui carnage of the period. Throughout his student career he was highly industrious and was a model of virtue. While he -was studying in a seminary at Lyons he founded a society and placed it" under the patronage »f the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was called the Society of Mary.

To Teach Neglected Children. First of all Father Champagnaffi scheme was to train brothers who were destine? for the teaching or children in the country districts. Most of his companions who had decided with him to lorm tho order were' ordained with him, and all were scattered to different parishes, but they'decided to keep in communication on tlie subject of the new society. Father Ohampagnat's parish work was strenuous and difficult, but ho never lost sight of his project for the establishment of the teaching brothers. Such was his enthuslasm that on the day of ' his arnva in his parish he broached the project to a young man, whom he afterwards cated and trained for tire work, some Uttlo time later Father .Champagnat was called to a sick child. He found that although the child was 12 years of age tie wafl ignorant of the truths of J 6 ' 1 ??,!" 1 and even of the existence of bod. mo priest realised that there must be many others in the same state of ignorance, and ho said that immediate action ras necessary in order that such as. these might have Christian education. He communicated II scheme to Granjon, -the young Tnn.ii he hftd ilrained ths parish, and Uranion and Jean Baptist Awlres wore tho first Marist Brothers. A small house was secured and fitted merely with indispensable articles of furniture. Ihe brothers took possession and hegan community life on January 2, 1817. Other brothers joined the Order, and, _ after preparation, they made their first efforts among the poor and neglected children of the outlying parts of the parish. _ The work of tho brothers was so 'ppreciated that they took cnarge of the parish school, and soon had to find a larger building. Father Champagnat s heart was still in the work, and he obtained permission to leave his presbytery and guido the new undertaking.

Difficulties Overcome. Tho founder was not without his hours of trial, but difficulties irere overcome and the organisation endured ' through every ordeal. The rapid growth of society necessitated tho buildiug of what was known as tho Hermitage, with accommodation for 150. xms was to !>e a novitiate and house •ot train "B tot the brothers. In 183G the I priests of the Society of Mary went into retreat at belley, and at the close of the retreat Father aim was chosen as first Superintendent-Gen-eral of the Marist Fathers, with Father Champagnet as Assistant Supermtendc . I On March U, 183G, the Marist J Order_wat definitely constituted by brief of Pope Gregory XVI, who approved.-heirestab-lishment, and confided' to them the Missions of Oceania. Several of the Marist Brothers accompanied the i-rst missionaries. The health of Father Champagnat had been gradually vndermined I>V hard work, and in 1839, shortly before his death, Brother first Supervisor-General.. The Holy See definitely approved the society. V decree on January 9, 1863, under "Marist Brothers of tho .Schools At the tiino of the death ot Father Champagnat there were 280 brothers, SO postufSfts, and 48 schools. To-day there were about 6000 brothers teaching about 100,000 children in England, Ireland, Scot .and, France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, America, Cana'da, Australia, Now China, Africa, the South Sea Islands, and so on. What a glorious "suit from the humble foundation laid by rather Champagnat one hundred >" ear8 r ..j)£ < }- And the- woi'k still went on. " rmls abounded, but because it was Gods work it would prosper and increase, despite the machinations of the emissaries oi Si Tho Marist Brothers had been in New Zealand for forty vears, and their good works were well fenown. Their lives were noble and self-sacrificing, ::nd were devoted to the service of t :1 io clMdron. It was the business of the Marist Bi others to take into their -careful hands the tender hearts of the children, to bring out bright and clear the image of bod that was upon their souls, to sanctlfj the opening intellect and tho young will, to mould them to God's service, to lit them for the battle of life. She brothers saw to the education of the poor, and altogether wore a great factor m l.athoFather Mahoney appealed to the Catholic people to do their utmost to help the brothers through tho trials they now enduring.

"Tlio Old Lady Shows Her Medals" is the latest playlet from the pen of Sir James Bame. The story is Jiat of a poor old woman of Mean Street, who, having no sons to win honour on the battle* fields of France, and jealous of her i'ellow-cronie-2 who have, selects a name from the paper (one of the Blaclc Watch), and pretends, with a wealth of Barrie pathos, thai, lie is her son-in-law. At last this man gets leave, \ and he is met on his arrival by tlio old lady, wlio tells her pitiful tale of pretension. At first the soldier scorns the old lady, but, catching her drift, and having no relatives of hi ; own, he allows himself to be passed off as the gallant son-in-law of the old ladr. The name of Mrs. Clara Bracy (wife; of the late Mr. Henry Brncy) appeared in the original New York cast.

"A ballhd in Ada- Reeve's hands becomes a little play."—"London Daily Telegraph." '

THE ADVENT OF SPRING means tlm advent of various diseases that effect little children. INFANTILE PARALYSIS is the most dreuded. Safeguard your littlo ones from the ravages of this disease by encouraging the use of Dingo Jnbes (a white, crystalised jube, con taming three drops of the famous Dingo Eucalyptus Extract, with Menthol). They keep the mouth sweet, and prevent the germa of INFANTILE PARALYSIS from gaining a hold. Obtainable from all Chemists and Stores at Is. per box.— Advt.