120 Years of Marist Presence in the State of Bahia, Brasil Centro Norte

In celebration of the Feast of the Assumption of Mary and Marist Day, the Province of Brasil Centro-Norte commemorated its 120 years of presence in the state of Bahia with a ceremony held on August 17 at the Marist College Patamares in Salvador.

The event was attended by the Provincial, Brother José de Assis Elias de Brito, Archbishop Dom Sérgio Cardinal da Rocha, Marist brothers, laypeople, and other guests. During the celebration, there was a reflection on the institution’s history in the state and the renewal of its commitment to education and transformation.

The history of the Marists in Bahia began on July 23, 1904, when the first Marist Brothers arrived in Salvador. Initially received at the São Bento Monastery, they faced several challenges, which led them to seek refuge with the Brotherhood of São Pedro dos Clérigos, where they established the first Marist Community in Salvador. This marked the beginning of an educational and spiritual mission that would eventually spread throughout the entire state.

In a speech during the ceremony, the Provincial, Brother José de Assis Elias de Brito, also reflected on the expansion of the Marist mission in the region, highlighting the establishment of institutions such as the Colégio de Maragogipe, the Escola São Pedro in Salvador, the Residência Marista in Alagoinhas, and the Colégio Jesus Redentor in São Félix. According to Brother José, these institutions “played an essential role in building a more just and compassionate society”.

The Colégio Marista Nossa Senhora da Vitória, founded in 1906, was also mentioned as an iconic symbol of Marist presence in the capital of Bahia. “The impact of Nossa Senhora da Vitória resonates to this day, not only in the history of Salvador but also in the very Marist identity of Bahia,” stated Brother Assis. The Marist journey continued to expand throughout the interior of the state, with the founding of Colégio São José in Esplanada in 1917, and Ginásio Sagrado Coração in Senhor do Bonfim in 1944.

Another highlight of the speech was the founding of the Faculdade de Filosofia de Salvador in 1952, which marked the Marists’ entry into higher education. “Although this institution has since closed, its impact on the formation of leaders, thinkers, and change-makers is undeniable,” emphasized the Provincial. The most recent milestone in the Marist journey in Bahia is the Colégio Marista Patamares, inaugurated in 2003. This institution represents the continuity of their commitment to excellence in education and the preparation of young people for future challenges, grounded in the values passed down by Champagnat, which continue to support the mission.

The Provincial Superior concluded the speech with a message of hope and renewal: “The next 120 years will be written by all of us, with the same faith, dedication, and love that marked the beginning of this story. Let us continue to nurture the seeds planted by our predecessors, trusting that God will continue to guide us and bless our mission”.

Currently, the Marist Province of Brasil centro-Norte has a socio-educational unit and a community of Brothers in Bahia. The Colégio Marista Patamares serves 2,112 students, and the Religious Community consists of three Brothers who also work at the school.