Province of United States

The Marist Brothers’ Vocation Year doesn’t officially begin until June 2013, but planning is already in full swing. The yearlong celebration will kick off in Esopus, N.Y., with Foundation Stones, a weeklong live-in experience for juniors and seniors at Marist schools throughout the U.S. Interested college students who are members of the Accompaniment Program will also be invited.

“This experience will give our students who are interested in exploring Marist life for themselves a chance to live, pray and work together in various service projects on the Esopus property,” explained Vocation Director Br. Mike Sheerin, F.M.S.

Foundation Stones will include morning conferences on various topics including Marist Apostolic Spirituality, Marist Internationality, community and manual work, prayer and personal spirituality, vows and life of the Brothers today, Marist history and Marist formation.

“Participants will be divided into smaller groups or communities. Each community will have a Brother serving as a Director with each community being named after a Marist Brother who has gone before us. Opportunities for each community to learn of their ‘Inspiration Brother’ will be provided by the community’s Brother Director,” explained Br. Mike.

A new vocations video also debuted in Marist schools this fall. Titled, “Marist Brothers: Lives Fulfilled,” the seven minute video invites Marist students, their parents and teachers to consider and support a religious vocation with the Marist Brothers. Click here to view the video.

Vocation Year will close with the Marist Youth gathering at Marist College in May 2014