In a few minutes, we’ll hear some familiar phrases as we witness the ritual renewals of vows and recommitment to presbyteral ministry. We recognize in these actions the purpose of our common life. We state formally today what we attempt live everyday. As religious, we publicly proclaim our understanding that the Christian life, at its heart, is about our relationship with the Trinity—the ultimate mystery of the universe. As members of the Society, we understand our relationship with Mary with whom we bond as a mother who forms us as she formed Jesus. Our work, our prayer, and our life in community align us more closely with Christ as we act as we believe he would if faced with the challenges of our day. Our lives celebrate the mystery of God’s past, present, and future actions in the world. Our lives are gifts of God’s grace. We recognize our imperfection and our reliance on grace to continue our journey with faith and trust in Providence. In the words of the Founder, we recognize that we live permanently and irrevocably in the state of servant of Mary. No fear…this is neither the time nor the place for a discussion of the French school of spirituality. This is a day to celebrate.

We celebrate in the context of the Solemnity of the Annunciation. Mary accepts her role in salvation history. With our Brothers here and throughout the world, we remember the origins of our call to live the gospel life under the inspiration of Blessed Chaminade—to accept our role in salvation history. Like Mary, none of us realized what our lives would become over time. The world, the Church, the Society, the Province, our communities, and we have each changed over time. By the grace of God, we trust that change has been for the good. Our focus has always been on becoming the most faithful imitation of Jesus Christ, Son of God, become Son of Mary, for the salvation of all.

We see in our Brothers a reflection of God’s presence and of the myriad ways they have responded to that presence as teacher…counselor…Brother…priest. We see lives of action, even if for some the last few years have followed a slower rhythm. We call to mind the students and faculties, the years in community, the public and private commitment to live the gospel, the lessons prepared and taught, the homilies preached, the meetings attended. We see three math teachers…a theologian (who is quite the teacher)…a sociologist (with a photographer’s eye)…a religion teacher (quite the administrator)…and an administrator (who now teaches teachers). We see men who in their humanity embody the need for God’s grace and the experience of God’s grace.

Our Marianist life is full of phrases we take for granted. I used quite a few already. We could add many others—filial piety—primitive zeal—union without confusion—prayer of faith.

Much paper has been used over the years to explain these phrases. At the heart, they capture Chaminade’s experience of God and the Church. For us today, we see in the lives of these men that same experience. When we ask what is it about the lives of these men that captures what Blessed Chaminade asks of his followers, we need look no further than an review of the events that led them here today.

For seventy years, Bro. Vic--with assignments from Victoria to Central to here at St. Mary’s—lived and worked with his Brothers forming in faith by forming the minds of students. Photographer, educator, counselor…Bro. used the gifts he had been given a gift to help others realize God’s presence in their midst to help become believers in the Truth of God’s presence.

Bro. Gene—whom Jim Eppy describes as a Math teacher’s teacher—trained his students to think in ways they never thought possible. He recognizes the key to a good Catholic education—to train the mind to think…to help the student see beyond what is immediately in front of them.

Bro. Joe has spent fifty years teaching mathematics, directing schools through some tough times, serving the Brothers as Chapter capitulant, director, and friend. Joe has never refused the Brothers anything they have asked him to do.

Fr. Norbert has spent sixty years in priestly ministry to the Brothers and to the Church. His kindness and gentle presence continues to reveal to others God’s grace and love. He still writes the Mothers’ Club officers at Chaminade in St. Louis. They appreciate the warm thoughts and encouragement. His long reach is a topic of discussion each fall at the Chaminade Board meeting.

Fr. John has spent fifty years as priest for the Society and the Church. In areas as diverse as St. Louis, Lima, and San Antonio, John has brought a keen intellectual curiosity and an ability to help folks understand the nature of many of our most difficult ethical issues—all the while maintaining a pastoral sense the envy of any priest. His work here at St. Mary’s, ranging from Campus Minister to professor to vice-president to president and president emeritus reflect not only the brilliant mind but the loving heart which he uses to serve the Brothers and the Church.

Just a youngster, Fr. Kip has the respect of the Brothers from Africa to Dayton to San Antonio. Another math teacher, he possesses a pastoral sense that connects with peoples of diverse background and temperament. He accepts the challenges—with both the crosses and the grace they present—and provides great insight into God’s action among us.

As for me with my 25 years, I simply borrow a phrase from a medieval philosopher. I stand on the shoulders of giants—building on what these men have done in a worldwide effort to realize the dream of Blessed Chaminade. From atop their shoulders, I can look back and see the past and the future. Whatever Chaminade saw in that twinkling of an eye is realized in the works and prayers that we inherit and on which we build.

What does it mean to live filial piety…to enter into the prayer of faith…to act as Servant of Mary…to be a faithful son of the Church…to imitate Christ…to honor Mary…to glorify the Trinity? Look at your Brothers. In their lives, we understand what it means to embody the spirit of the Founder.

We return to the gospel where each member of the Church must come to accept his or her role in salvation history. We see Norb, Vic, Gene, John, Joe, Kip, and all the Brothers who celebrate this year. We see Mary, the August Virgin, who by her response to the will God models for us the stance we take. We join together and with Mary say: “I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say!”