The Society of Mary

“To bring up a man – what a sublime work this is. These are God’s children who are confided to us. It is towards God that we must direct their hearts by a constant application on our part to provide them with sound rules to guide them, and with good example which they may follow.”  Fr Colin on Education

Fr Jean Claude Colin began of the Society of Mary in France. His philosophy of education still influences the approach at St Bede’s. A Marist school should be a place where Christian values are promoted, good citizenship is encouraged, a good education is provided, students are treated as individuals, cared for and respected and the rules are reasonable. In a Marist school discipline is effective but not unpredictable or harsh, teachers are approachable, and piety is not imposed on the students.

More about the Beginnings of The Society Of Mary

The way Mary lived her life and went about her work inspires Marists to do the same. At the heart of Mary’s work is an openness to everyone: it excludes no one and is designed to enable men and women to grow and develop according to their truest call.

Marists are invited to follow in Mary’s footsteps  resisting crippling greed, pride and power so as to develop an inner freedom, and in the manner of Mary, build a Christian community which has Mary’s face.

At St. Bede’s as at other Marist Colleges, we have identified the following qualities of Mary that we find in the stories about her and her Son in the Gospels:

  • Merciful
  • Attentive
  • Respectful
  • Initiating
  • Sensitive to all
  • Tolerant
  • Brave
  • Energetic
  • Determined
  • Encouraging
  • Accountable
  • Non-Violent