“Mission M” at Marcellin Champagnat Secondary School

Last April, 36 students from the 1st and 2nd grades of the Marcellin-Champagnat Secondary School (ESMC), Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Canada, participated in the “Mission M”. “M” for Marist, Marcellin, Mary… and Me.

“Mission M” is a youth ministry activity of the District of Canada aimed at offering young people between 12 and 14 the opportunity to meet, reflect and relax. This period of reflection was made possible thanks to many volunteers, including nine 5th grade students from MCHS who led the various activities and seven adults who helped prepare the meals and assisted in the various moments of reflection.

The theme of “Mission M” was “The Marist Flame”. The mission of the participants was to rekindle the Marist flame at MCHS, which in recent years has been slowly flickering out. By taking part in the proposed activities, the different sub-groups earned a small flame. On this, the sub-group wrote a Marist value that was associated with the activity. In this way, the young people had experiences of solidarity, communication, listening, interiority, trust and fraternity. At the very end of the activity, each sub-group was invited to share the values they had discovered. Through their reflections on Marist values, the young people were rekindling the Marist flame at MCHS. Afterwards, a candle was given to each participant. This candle, with all its symbolism, reminded them of the flame that is within them, that they have to take care of and let shine. The song “This little light of mine” by the GroupMusic band accompanied the young people throughout the event.

The Candle Symbol

Violet-coloured wax and essence of violet oil were used to remind participants of the three values associated with the three violets: humility, modesty and simplicity.

A “Mission M” sticker was stuck on the container as a reminder of the event.

When the candle is lit, the flame represents the flame within them, the flame that they must let shine to illuminate our world.