Lay Marianists
Lay Marianists are committed Christians who seek to live out their baptismal call in the context of intentional faith communities, called Marianist Lay Communities (MLCs). The MLCs are one of four branches of the Marianist Family, which is a charismatic family in the Catholic Church where each branch shares in a common charism, spirituality, and mission with the others.
Lay Marianists are distinguished from the other branches - the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (FMI), the Society of Mary (SM), and the Alliance Mariale (AM) - by the fact that they do not take vows as religious sisters, brothers, priests. Lay Marianists therefore may be single or have spouses and families, have jobs, and are members of their local parish, just like any other Catholic layperson.
In addition, Lay Marianists are individuals who live out their baptismal call as laypersons who know, commit to, and live the Marianist charism A Lay Marianist is a lay person who KNOWS, COMMITS TO, and LIVES the Marianist Charism.
Knowing the Charism
To KNOW means that the Lay Marianist has gone through formation. This formation includes information about the founders, pillars of the Marianist charism, and Marianist spirituality. This process can cover a period of time from six months to several years. In fact, formation is on-going. Formation may include formal classes, retreats, talks by experienced Marianists (SM, FMI, AM, or Lay), reading resource material, dialog with a spiritual companion, and active involvement in a local or virtual Marianist Lay Community.
Committing to the Charism
To COMMIT means that after initial formation, the individual makes a commitment to accept the Marianist charism to guide his/her life. To be a Lay Marianist is not a private commitment but a communal one. Some commitments are renewed annually. Some Lay Marianists make a permanent vow of stability.
Living the Charism
To LIVE as a Lay Marianist means that commitment is not a one-time event but rather an ongoing lifestyle in which one continues to grow in understanding his/her vocation through participation in community life and service to the Church and world.