Lenten Resources
There is no better time to reconnect with or deepen one’s faith than Lent, which begins on March 5 this year. As Ash Wednesday draws near, many wonder what to “give up” for Lent, but it’s also a time to recommit to your faith, focusing on reflection, repentance, and reconciliation. It’s a time to discover how to confess, the power of God’s forgiveness, and ways to renew and retain hope.
The Society of Mary offers several resources as you navigate your own path through the Season of Lent.
The North American Center for Marianist Studies provides podcasts and the following Lenten meditations, developed and written by Bro. Tom Redmond, SM, narrated by him and Gabby Bibeau.
- Lenten Meditation #1: Praying with Jesus in the Desert
- Lenten Meditation #2: The Transfiguration
- Lenten Meditation #3: Confidence in God
- Lenten Meditation #4: Three O’Clock Prayer
Throughout Lent at the Marian Library this year, visitors can reflect on Mary’s grief at the death of her son, Jesus, with artwork depicting the Pieta. On loan from the Sacred Art Pilgrim Collection, the exhibit will be on display in the Stuart and Mimi Rose Gallery from March 3 to May 9, 2025. “Amidst the sorrow in these scenes, some may find glimmers of hope — hope that must have given Mary strength, too,” said Curator Bridget Retzloff. Click here for more details on this free exhibit and virtually view some of the artwork.
The Marianist Retreat and Conference Center, located in Eureka, MO, holds monthly prayer gatherings on the first Tuesday of every month. On March 4, the focus will be on Praying as a Busy Person during Lent. Click here for more information.
At St. Mary’s University, various student groups and organizations will commit to a 40-day service event. The school’s Office of Community Engagement also suggests the following ideas for getting everyone involved.
- #40Days40Items is a commitment to a simpler lifestyle by decluttering one item a day.
- #FeelGoodFriday is a way to share your commitment to Laudato Sí with a moment in nature or a new or compelling prayer from this Lenten season.
- #MeatlessMonday is a commitment to earth-friendly meals, reducing meat intake, and sharing simple or creative meal options that highlight diverse and unique flavors.
- #SpringClean is a commitment to a simpler lifestyle and self-renewal through eliminating clutter by donating, recycling, or upcycling things.
- #WalkItWednesday or #WonderfulWednesday is a commitment to ecological spirituality by connecting with nature.
Click here for a short YouTube video from Formed, an outreach program of the Augustine Institute, on “How to Lent.” Four episodes will be available on this topic, each about 12-13 minutes long. You can click here to sign up to receive the episodes.
In The News
New Appointments for Marianist Brothers
The Provincial Council, with the approval of Superior General Rev. André-Joseph Fétis, has ratified the appointment of Bro. Ed Brink as the Director of Novices for the Province. Bro. Ed is currently the VP for Mission and Rector at Chaminade University of Honolulu (CUH). He joined CUH in 2016 after previously serving on the Board of Regents. Brink plans to wrap up his work at CUH by June 2025 to relocate to the Novitiate in Dayton, OH.
His new assignment left a vacancy in a vital role. The President of CUH, Dr. Lynn Babington, in consultation with the Chancellor, appointed Fr. Marty Solma to complete Bro. Ed’s term, which ends in the summer of 2027.
Please join us in expressing our sincere gratitude for Bro. Ed Brink and Fr. Marty Solma’s service.
St. Mary’s University Inaugurates 14th President
St. Mary’s University inaugurated Winston F. Erevelles, Ph.D., as the institution’s 14th president during a Eucharistic Celebration and Investiture Ceremony on Feb. 14, 2025.
Erevelles began his presidency on June 1, 2024. Previously, he served 12 years as Dean of the St. Mary’s School of Science, Engineering and Technology and Professor of Engineering. During his tenure as dean, he significantly enhanced the school’s STEM capabilities, raised more than $45 million, and initiated a project that would become the Blank Sheppard Innovation Center. In Fall 2024, the St. Mary’s community celebrated the opening of the three-story, cutting-edge Blank Sheppard Innovation Center as well as the start of a new Nursing Program.
At the Eucharistic Celebration, Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, M.Sp.S., Archbishop of San Antonio, was the principal celebrant. Fr. Martin Solma, S.M., Trustee Emeritus and the former university chancellor, delivered the homily. Also in attendance were board members Provincial Fr. Oscar Vasquez and Assistant Provincial Bro. Bernie Ploeger, as well as many other Marianist Brothers.
$1.5 Million Donation for Catholic Education
The University of Dayton’s Center for Catholic Education received a $1.5 million donation from Peggy and Victor Dubrowski to help prepare the next generation of Catholic educators with a strong Catholic worldview.
“Catholic schools need educators who teach and inspire, blending faith and learning in ways that truly shape students’ lives,” said UD Provost Darlene Weaver. “This generous gift will help us support Catholic educators and students for the long term.”
The center’s three flagship programs—ECHO, Lalanne, and the Saint Remy Initiative—address critical needs in Catholic education.
“Catholic schools face sustained pressure from a culture that opposes the truth and beauty of our faith. Catholic educators need the tools to integrate this faith into every subject with bold clarity and confidence,” said Peggy Dubrowski, a UD alumna and longtime Catholic educator.
“The Dubrowski’s generosity will directly impact the formation of K-12 teachers, giving them the tools to create distinctively Catholic learning contexts across our region,” said School of Education and Health Sciences Dean Ali Carr-Chellman.
Click here for more information about the Center for Catholic Education.
New Marianist Lay Community
Join us in welcoming a new Marianist Lay Community (MLC)—the Mis Pequeñitos, which means “my little ones.” It’s comprised of six students from St. Mary’s University. They made their commitment in the Guadalupe Chapel on campus during Marianist Heritage Month. Esmeralda Lopez, who graduated in December, was unable to attend the Mass and so will make her commitment at a later date.
Aspirant Paul Pruski and staff member Julieta Sanchez assisted in forming the community along with the guidance of Bro. Dan Klco. The name of the MLC was taken from Our Virgin of Guadalupe’s words to St. Juan Diego, where she calls him “my little one.”
Marianist Ministries in Action
Renewing Commitment
Marianist Educational Associates (MEAs) at St. Mary’s University recently renewed their pledge to enrich the university’s Marianist character. It is a commitment to strengthen, sustain, and develop the Catholic and Marianist mission and identity of our educational institutions.
St. Mary’s President, Dr. Winston Erevelles, offered a prayer for the MEAs at a Mass concelebrated by Fr. John Thompson, Fr. William Meyer, Fr. Neville O’Donohue, Fr. Richard Villa, Fr. James Tobin, and Fr. Sudhir Kujur.
The Marianist Educational Associates is an initiative among the three Marianist universities to form strong partnerships with members of the Society of Mary. Each year, faculty, staff, and administrators are invited to deepen their understanding of and commitment to Marianist Charism. MEAs participate in a one-year formation program filled with readings, reflections, and insights sharing. Click here to learn more.
A Marianist Moment
Pray for the Causes
The General Council of the Society of Mary in Rome asks that you continue praying for the Marianist Causes as they move through the canonization process. To visit the U.S. Province site on the Causes, click here.
One of the more modern Causes is Faustino Pérez Maglano. Faustino was a student at the Colegio del Pilar, Valencia (Spain). He died of cancer when he was just 16 years old (1963). Fr. José María Salaverri was the director of the school and his spiritual companion. Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed him Venerable. In order to make Faustino known, to propose him as a witness of Jesus, and to pray for his beatification, the Faustino Commission consisting of Vowed and Lay Marianists was created by the Province of Spain.
Click here for the latest submission from the Commission.
From the Archives
History of Marianist Magazine
In July 1901, in Dayton, OH, the Society of Mary, Province of America, began a newsletter called The Marianist. It was published by the Cincinnati Province and included articles on the Society of Mary, its works, and its members. Many of the articles were of a pedagogical nature.
The periodical was published under that title until January 1905, when it was renamed The Apostle of Mary: Echo of the Labors and Missions of the Society. Publication was suspended in July 1921 but revived in January 1927. Then, beginning with the January 1944 issue, the magazine changed its name back to The Marianist.
In 1964, the Marian Library at the University of Dayton took over publication responsibilities and changed the title to Mary Today. Publication ceased in 1967, but records are retained at the Marian Library.
Today, the Provincial Office of the Marianists Province of the United States publishes a magazine called ALIVE. The first issue was released in the winter of 2005. ALIVE features stories about the Marianist Charism, community, and culture. It is published three times a year. Click here to sign up to receive it via mail or digital copy.
If you’d like to see images from the archives, visit and “like” this Facebook page.
Pray With Us
Please join us in prayer for these members of the Marianist Family.
Bro. Richard Dix, 92, died on Feb. 2, 2025, in San Antonio, TX, with 75 years of religious profession. Brother Richard was a beloved teacher and administrator in high school and college settings for more than two decades. He also served for many years in community and province leadership positions. Throughout his life of ministerial service, Brother Richard drew great satisfaction from physical work—the maintenance and construction projects he took on almost every Saturday, everywhere he lived. This practice continued in his retirement years when, as he joyfully reported, “I have all Saturdays!”
Read his full obituary here.
Click here to see pictures of Bro. Richard through the years.
Bro. James Vorndran, 84, died on Feb. 22, 2025, in Dayton, OH, with 65 years of religious profession.
His obituary is forthcoming and will be posted here as soon as possible.
Click here to see pictures of Bro. James through the years.
Bro. Donald Neff, 94, died on Feb. 23, 2025, in Dayton, OH, with 74 years of religious profession.
His obituary is forthcoming and will be posted here as soon as possible.
Click here to see pictures of Bro. Don through the years.
Good to Know
Best Practice Award
St. Mary’s University received the Program of Best Practice Award at the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) conference in Washington, D.C., last month.
The honor was for its work in “embracing Catholic, Marianist, and Hispanic serving identity” in the many aspects of campus life. Vice President for Mission Fr. John Thompson thanked all his colleagues in University Ministry, Admissions, Student Life, Inclusive Excellence, the Center for Catholic Studies, the Offices of the Provost, Deans, and Communications for contributing to this recognition.
The university’s liturgies, cultural events, print material, lectures, teach-ins, student initiatives, and programming all provide opportunities to share the Marianist Mission with students.
The award was presented by the Catholic Higher Education Mission Officers Network (CHEMON), an affinity group of the ACCU.
Prayers & Support
The Marianist Province of the U.S. extends its prayers and support to the newly appointed Archbishop-designate Robert G. Casey to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Prayers of gratitude are also offered to Archbishop Dennis Schnurr for his devoted service and for good health. Schnurr, the 10th archbishop of Cincinnati, had been the area’s shepherd since December 2009. He is currently battling cancer and recovering from chemotherapy and surgery.
Click here to read the announcement from the archdiocese.
Check Out More Marianist News
Via Latina from the General Administration of the Society of Mary
Sharing Our Marianist Stories podcast from North American Center for Marianist Studies
Justice Jottings from the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative
AMU Newsletter from the Association of Marianist Universities
Region Update #89 from the Marianist Region of India
FatherSide Chats is a web video series featuring Fr. Gene Contadino. Discover new episodes every Tuesday about a variety of topics. Click the graphic to view episodes. Click here to read more.
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