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.
In The News
Centennial Celebration Honors 100 Years of Faith and Education at Kalaepōhaku
February 7, 2025
In a jubilant celebration that united generations of Hawai‘i’s Catholic community, Saint Louis School, Chaminade University, and the Marianist Center of Hawai‘i marked “100 Years of the Bridge to Kalaepōhaku” on their shared campus at 3142 Wai‘alae Avenue. Coordinated by a team led by Bro. Dennis Schmitz, S.M., the centennial festivities paid tribute to a landmark that has long been a symbol of education and faith on a ridge in Kaimukī whose name translates “rocky promontory”.
A Landmark with a Storied Past
Constructed in 1925 for $14,500—just two years after the Marianist Brothers acquired the 204-acre Kalaepōhaku campus from the Bishop Estate—the graceful arch-span bridge at the Wai‘alae Avenue entrance has welcomed generations of students, faculty, and families. As one of the oldest bridges in Kaimukī to retain its original form, it stands as an enduring testament to the Marianist tradition that helped form a triangle of Catholic institutions alongside St. Patrick Parish and School and Sacred Hearts Academy during the Territorial era.
Festivities and Community Spirit
The centennial celebration featured a vibrant processional parade that showcased creativity and school spirit. Both Saint Louis School and Chaminade University entered a decorated golf cart contest, presenting imaginative “mini-floats” that highlighted various offices, departments, and even legendary tales of Pālolo Stream—including nods to the founding of Ahuimanu College via a land grant by Kamehameha III in 1845. Participants, adorned in commemorative bucket hats, joined grand marshals Dr. Glenn Medeiros (President, Saint Louis School), Dr. Lynn Babington (President, Chaminade University of Honolulu), and Bro. Edward Violett, S.M. (President, Marianist Center of Hawai‘i), who led the procession riding a vintage World War II jeep. An oversized caricature of Blessed William Chaminade, founder of the Marianist order, joined the dozens of marching units in the afternoon parade.
The celebration also included students who embraced the creative spirit of Marianist education through art contests held on both the Chaminade and Saint Louis campuses, with categories spanning ceramics, illustration, and digital media.
Program and Cultural Tribute
The parade culminated at the Oval Lawn adjacent to the foot of the historic bridge. The commemorative program opened with a traditional Hawaiian oli (chant) performed by three esteemed kumu (teachers) of the shared campus, setting a respectful tone for the event. This was followed by a Marianist dedication prayer led by Brother Brandon Alana, S.M., which honored the cultural heritage symbolized by the bridge. The ceremony celebrated the bridge’s enduring legacy over Pālolo Stream—a waterway that originally flowed from a source near Ka‘au crater in the Ko‘olau to the Waikīkī wetlands before emptying into Māmala Bay. Today, the portion of the stream adjacent to the Marianist campus remains in its natural state, serving as a vital resource for scientific and cultural study.
Special Guests and Community Unity
The celebration was further enriched by the presence of students and representatives from Sacred Hearts Academy and the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, including Sister Helene Wood, Sister Katherine Francis Miller, and Academy President Dr. Brandy Sato. Their participation underscored the deep connections among Hawai‘i’s Catholic educational institutions and the shared commitment to nurturing both faith and academic excellence.
Looking Ahead
As the community gathered to reflect on a century of tradition, innovation, and shared values, the Centennial Celebration: Bridge to Kalaepōhaku not only honored a historic landmark but also reaffirmed the vision that has guided the Marianist campus and its partner institutions for 100 years. With its blend of historical reverence, cultural celebration, and forward-looking creativity, the event set the stage for future generations to continue building on this proud legacy.
For more details and future updates, members of the community are encouraged to visit the Marianists’ Kalaepōhaku campuses or contact the event coordinators directly.
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
Retaining Hope
In a time of great division in our country and the world, the Church has initiated this Year of Jubilee as Pilgrims of Hope. The purpose is to re-invigorate our faith and especially the hope contained in our belief.
I am led to reflect on the situation that our Blessed Founders lived through during the French Revolution. Blessed Chaminade and Blessed Marie of the Conception experienced chaos and uncertainty in the face of misguided leaders who believed they were making decisions for the good of the French citizens. Their communities were devastated, and the Church became an underground institution. And it seemed that hope for them was dashed. But from the accounts and stories that we read about their lives, this was not the case. The phrase that keeps popping up in my reflection is the Providence of God. Chaminade and Adele firmly believed that God was the key to maintaining hope in spite of the troubles that they endured. Their trust in God led them to persevere in their lives and works. It was this hope in the Providence of God that led them to develop a network of communities of faith to share this hope among themselves and with others beyond this network.
I invite you, now, to read an article that appeared in the Society of Mary’s General Administration newsletter, Via Latina, January 2025, pages 4 – 8. This first article is about Blessed Chaminade’s hope. The title is Blessed Chaminade – Hope in God: Believe-Trust-Act.
This article and one that I will share next month concerning Blessed Marie of Conception’s hope are written in light of Pope Francis’ promulgation that 2025 is a Jubilee Year calling us to be Pilgrims of Hope. 2025 is the 2,025th anniversary of the incarnation of the Lord, “an event of great spiritual, ecclesial, and social significance in the life of the Church.”
From the Archives
Did You Know?
Did you know that St. Mary’s University was originally named St. Louis College? Marianists in St. Antonio, TX, operated Saint Mary’s Institute downtown but soon needed to expand. A second location on the outskirts of town was built in 1894 called Saint Louis College.
For a long time, Saint Louis Hall was the only building on that campus. It housed classrooms, administrative offices, student lodging, a dining hall, a chapel, and lodging for the Marianists.
Slowly, Saint Louis College expanded, adding new buildings to campus and eventually changing the name to St. Mary’s University in 1927. Saint Louis Hall retained its name, though, and today mainly houses administrative offices vital to the university’s operations along with some classes.
Pictured here is a penny postcard depicting St. Louis Hall in its beginning years. The building is made of limestone and includes small fossils from ocean creatures.
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.
Read his full obituary here.
Click here to see pictures of Bro. Richard through the years.
Good to Know
National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award
Please join us in congratulating Bro. Andrew Kosmowski who was reecently selected as a National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award (NOESA) recipient! He will be formally recognized at the Miami Valley Council Eagle Grand Slam event – at the minor league Dayton Dragons’ Scout Night baseball game this summer.
The award is presented solely to Eagle Scouts who demonstrate remarkable achievements beyond their scouting endeavors by excelling in their careers/vocations at local, regional, or national levels. NOESA recipients inspire others through positive actions, demonstrating excellence in their chosen professions, hobbies, community service, and adherence to religious beliefs.
Book Your Marianist Family Vacation Retreat
Apply now to enjoy a seashore setting for a unique and Christ-centered
family experience at our Marianist Retreat Center in Cape May Point, NJ. It’s an opportunity to enhance your family’s spiritual growth by joining other families and the Marianist Community in a week-long family retreat offering family and peer group activities, Eucharist and other family and community prayer, plus 4-5 hours of free time daily with ocean swimming!
These retreats always fill up fast, so consult your calendar to find a week between June 23 and Aug. 16 that works best and apply online today at www.capemaymarianists.org
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 #90 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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