A Marist Way
November 2026 Marist Reflection - by Hannah van Schie
“A way about them” - A Marist Way
This month our little office launches our new website, a new email system, a new logo and a new name! That’s a lot of new things!
Underneath, nothing changes too much – if you feel connected as a Marist Lay person, or a Marian Mother, Marist Laity, or a friend of the Marists, then you of course are still welcome to use those names to describe your connection to the Marist family. Or maybe you don’t use a name at all – that’s ok too!
Our new name has come after two years of contemplation and conversations with people – those who have much knowledge of Marist life and those on the edges too. We found that there are all sorts of people that don’t really understand or use the word “Laity” – which is fair enough …as it is used mostly in a church and religious context. That’s relevant for some, but not all of us.
We’ve slowly observed other “Marist Laity” groups around the world begin to refer to themselves as “Marist Way” groups. The word ‘way’ is a little bit more easily understood to people than ‘laity’. The word ‘Way’ helps people understand that we have a spirituality to share.
As we reflect on so often – being a Marist is less about what you do, and more about the WAY you do it. We know that Mary the mother of Jesus had a certain way of being. She had a way of loving people, a way of caring, a way of reaching out, a way of noticing, a way of being present. This is what we are called to do too – to have a ‘Mary way’ about us.
Our hope is that calling ourselves the ‘Marist Way’ might help us reach our arms a little wider – and be inviting and encouraging to many.
We hope you can enjoy looking at our new website in which we have tried to simply share these monthly reflections (Marist Monthly), a series about Marist spirituality (Marist Moments) and some faith filled family friendly articles (Marist families). Please bear with us as we work to continue to improve the website and we welcome your feedback! www.maristway.nz
Our new logo and some of the symbols within it.
Different work, different approaches - but the same way. The way of Mary.
When the Marist story began in France over 200 years ago the early founders hoped that the Marist family would be a “tree of many branches.” Lay people are a very special branch of the Marist family, a branch that looks and sounds different to the other branches. It means our lives look varied and different, we might have different work, different approaches, different jobs – but the same way. The way of Mary.
Have you ever heard someone compliment another by saying: “Oh that person, they just have a special way about them.” That’s the same “way” we might pick up on as Marists.
You might even know the Billy Joel lyrics “She has a way about her.” The lyrics in that song contemplate that which you can’t quite describe, but something that you feel around particular people. We think the many and varied groups here in Aotearoa New Zealand, and the individuals connected to the Marist family who all come under this umbrella term – they all have a Marist Way.
As part of acknowledging this new name we have a new logo too. Our Marist Way logo is a refreshed version of the Marist Laity logo that we have known for some years. You can see it printed on the reflection guide page and we share here some of the meaning behind it.
The logo holds a story of our Marist spirit and mission. You might like to look at the design and see the different parts of it.
The lower symbol of a boat represents the early Marist missionaries journey from France to New Zealand with Bishop Pompallier.
The image of a mother and child represents all Marists being like Mary - bringing Jesus to others, supporting and nurturing the gift of faith.
The higher image sheltering Mary and Jesus can be seen as representing Joseph, but also the sails of the ship - reminders that we are ‘setting out together’ on a journey of faith and hope.
The ship image is a special one and some of you will see it echo’s the ‘barque of Peter’, symbolising the church as a boat on the waves of history. In the up and down and storms there is faith and hope in that little boat – trusting that God is looking after the journey!
The central spiral reflects the koru, a Māori symbol of new life, growth, and renewal. It speaks to our evolving journey of faith in the Marist Way.
The curved lines and sense of embrace and welcome acknowledges the Marist way of hospitality, welcome and presence. We are called to bring a Mary ‘way’ to the church.
That’s the Marist Way
Around the world, some Marist groups, schools and universities increasingly reflect on their understanding of the ‘Marist Way’ too. In the USA, they have created a calendar for 2027 with Marist Way themes – email office@maristway.nz for a link to that if you are interested in viewing it.
Here in Auckland New Zealand, one of our Marist primary schools (Marist Mount Albert) has already adopted this terminology for their school song – titled ‘The Marist Way’ which I understand was written by a special teacher at their school.
Have a read of these lovely simple but meaningful lyrics:
When we are kind, When we share , When we help each other, When we care,
When we are present, When we work hard, When we seek justice, With the love of God
That's the Marist Way
When we stay loyal To our friends, When we are faithful, To the very end,
When we are open, To the call of God, When we follow Jesus, When we share God's love
That's the Marist Way
And in Mary, With Mary to guide us, And with Mary, With Mary beside us
We can pray, each and everyday, To follow her son, to follow His way
That's the Marist Way
Thank you to those of you who have shared their wisdom with us about a name - and we hope many of you will have your own special interpretations and reflections of our new name and logo too.
We know that Mary the mother of Jesus had a certain way of being. What a joy and a privilege to try each day to have that same ‘way’ about us. Thanks for being on the journey and for being part of the Marist Way.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
What do you think ofthe name “Marist Way”?
In the reflection we shared a bit about our new logo - shown here on the lower half of this page. Take a closer look and share what you notice or like about the image.
Do you know someone who has a special “way” about them? Share about that person.
“We know that Mary the mother of Jesus had a certain way of being. She had a way of loving people, a way of caring, a way of reaching out, a way of noticing, a way of being present.” Does this description encourage or inspire you to be like Mary?
“The Marist Way describes a certain way of living the Gospel and that is the way Mary lived it. To live the Marist Way is to be engaged in the work of Mary.”
