Sr Françoise Merlet reflects in the light of the Constitutions of the Marist Sisters on the way in which she experiences the Marist spirit in the Church and the world around her:
To have a sense of Church and act as Church is, for me, essential to Marist life. Mary, Mother of the Church, and model of the Church, are expressions which appeal to me.As our Constitutions state: “Our Congregation is characterised by the desire to make the mystery of Mary in the Church the daily inspiration of its life and action” and again “we wish to collaborate with the diocesan authorities, the parish clergy, other Congregations and all those with whom we work.”
Our community is well-inserted in the life of our suburb and parish. In my various activities I try to be careful to act as a member of the Church, to serve the Church as Mary would at Nazareth or among the apostles, that is to say, in union with others. The work of catechetics is not ‘mine’, parish secretarial work is at the service of the local Church, the biblical group which I animate is for sharing the Word of God and living it with the Church.
This same attitude of not being a ‘lone rider’ I try to maintain also in other activities such as the literacy programme of the Social centre of my area where I work with other volunteers, and help with schooling which is done with all those who are involved.
It is important to me to be aware of the Church’s teachings as much at the local level as at diocesan or universal, and to live them positively even if I fail to understand certain points of view.
I am aware that our Marist religious life belongs to the Church: our Congregation has the Church’s approval and we have made public vows. Pope John Paul 11 constantly reminded us that ‘Religious life is a gift from God to the Church’.
What does the Congregation of Marist Sisters give the Church specifically? We are part of the whole Society of Mary which Mary herself wanted. From the beginning she expressed her desire: “I was the support of the early Church and I will be again at the end of time.” She chose each Marist to be her presence today in the Church, in the world, and especially among the weakest, the most deprived, those whom life has wounded, or who are on the margins of the Church. Again I quote our Constitutions: “Our communities have a mission to accomplish in the Church: to announce Jesus Christ, to reveal Mary’s spirit and to continue her presence.”
We, Marist Sisters, heirs of our foundress Jeanne-Marie Chavoin, are called to live specific characteristics: simplicity, effacement, availability, compassion and union with Jesus Christ through our work, our service and attention to others.
Our Constitutions tell us again: “At Nazareth Mary is found among the poor and humble. She shared their way of living and was attentive to the needs of her neighbours.” This is spirit that we try to live in the Church, in our community, our area and our parish.
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