Revive the presence of Mary in Marist life in Brazil
The fundamental call of the XXIGeneral Chapter in 2009, – « With Mary, go in haste to a new land », has inspired the Marist Union of Brasil (UMBRASIL) to promote a Marial Year. It was decided to celebrate it during the current year, from 25 March to 8 December.
The first objective of this initiative is to revive the presence of Mary in Marist life in Brasil. In addition, there is the desire to contribute also to recovering the Marial profile of the Church, encouraging Marial mysticism and spirituality in the areas touched by the Marist presence and in communion with the Church, renewing our Marial vision and preparing for the commemoration of the bicentenary of the Society of Mary and the Institute of the Marist Brothers.
The desire is, in harmony with the General Chapter, to promote a new age for the Marist charism and mission, which means personal, community, and institutional initiatives of conversion. The human heart has a constant need of being refined by the action of the Holy Spirit. Mary is an irreplaceable model and companion on this journey. She leads us to God in the measure in which we, like her, renew our relationships with people in the light of the plan of Salvation. Her presence, desired and cultivated, transforms the atmosphere of the school, social action, family life, and the face of the Church itself.
The animation of the Marial Year is the responsibility of the Marists: Brothers, Fathers, Sisters and Laity. The Conference of Religious and Bishops of Brasil support the initiative and are co-operating in their respective domains. A working group has been set up to provide the plan of the Year, set up programming and work out publicizing, so as to involve as many people as possible.
The most important events will be: opening on 25/03, with a video-conference and a web page; Marial celebrations of Notre-Dame de Fourvière (23/07) ; the Assumption of Mary (15/08), the Holy Name of Mary (12/09), the Immaculate Conception, and closing (08/12) ; creation of a special site for information, interaction and formation; Symposium on Mariology (17-20/07, in São Paolo); pilgrimage to the National Sanctuary of Aparecida (21/07); programmes on Catholic radio and TV; production of a CD and a special Course in Mariology, in partnership with the PUCRS.
There will be other activities: publication of books, a day of prayer (12/08), retreats, pilgrimages to local sanctuaries, Marial camps and meetings, studies on Mary, artistic displays and cultural tournaments, actions of solidarity and others, etc., as a way of involving the teaching body, students, the parishes and the whole Marist Family.
Theme: Mary at the heart of the Church
Device: With Mary, to a new land
Hymn of the Marial Year(MP3 – 8MB): 
Download Power Point – PPS (3 MB)
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