FEAST OF SAINT MARCELLIN, A HEART THAT KNOWS NO BOUNDS

At daybreak on June 6, 1840, as the brothers were singing the Salve Regina, Marcellin Champagnat delivered his soul to God. Since that time, his memory lives on among us, especially in the Congregation of the Marist Brothers ? his vision and work for serving children and youth, especially the poorest.
Looking around at the world of today we can?t help but see the tremendous problems affecting children and youth. Children with no chance to go to school, children subjected to forced labor and sexual exploitation, street children, child soldiers, children tortured, children murdered for trafficking in human organs?

Marcellin Champagnat, living in another tumultuous time in history, cherished the innate goodness of children and youth, and he fought strenuously to give them a solid education and an experience of God?s love through the love of men and women who crossed their paths in life. His message is as powerful today as it ever was. In celebrating his feast day we need to commit ourselves to work as one in carrying out his visionary plans to better the lives of children and young people. Today as yesterday, we need brothers and laymen and women dedicated to making Marcellin?s dream for our world come true.

Presently holding plenary meetings at our headquarters in Rome, Brother Sean, Superior General, and his Council send their warmest greetings and best wishes to everyone drawing inspiration from the spirituality of Saint Marcellin and taking part in his mission throughout the world.