Centre of Marist Studies (CEM)
The Centre of Marist Studies was founded by the Brother Provincial of the former Marist Province of Rio de Janeiro, Gentile Paganotto, and his Council in their meeting of 27 to 31 August 1986, at « Recanto Marista », Areias, Ribeirão das Neves, in the State of Minas Gerais.
At its creation, the Centre had as first aim « to study Marist history in order to better discover its religious, spiritual, apostolic and educational roots. » Its function, among others, was to organise and maintain a service of textual, visual and auditory documentation relating to Marist life; to produce material on Marist life and mission; to disclose Marist documents, courses of programming and activities on Marist themes.
Its first director was Br Luiz Silveira, former provincial and general councillor, and, at the time, master of novices. After this Brother died, in 1991, three other Brothers succeeded him at the head of the Centre: Xavier Gonçalves, Alfonso Esteban Saéz and Afonso Murad. Since June 2002, the Centre of Marist Studies has been placed under the direction of Mme Professor Heloisa Almeida Afonso de Sousa.
Situated at Belo Horizonte/MG, the CEM has been on different sites until its definitive establishment in the current building, constructed with the installations appropriate for its functioning, in a zone adjoining the Marist school « Dom Silverio ».
At present, the CEM possesses an internal organisation with three specific sectors which work and progress hand in hand towards the goal for which it was created:Historic and Institutional Archives, Libraries, Marist Museum. The Historic and Institutional Archives organise the historical documentation of the communities, the Marist Units and the Brothers, in order to preserve and tell Marist history. They are composed of historical documents, organised in funds and collections, permanently preserved, as well as other collections.
The Libraries provide a doctrinal base and a specific formation in Marist spirituality and mission. They are:Marist Specialised Library and Saint Marcellin Champagnat Bibliographic Collection, as well as other works added since.
TheMarist Museum displays Marist history and mission for visitors, especially to a public of children and youth, and young Marists in formation. Its structure is composed of the following sectors: Exhibition Rooms, Technical Reserve, Art Gallery and Laboratory of Preventive Conservation.