Interview with Zeina Abou Elias Yazbeck
Volunteer for the Fratelli Project in Lebanon Tell us about yourself, Zeina My name is Zeina, I am Lebanese and I am a teacher in technical education specializations (teaching diploma…
Volunteer for the Fratelli Project in Lebanon Tell us about yourself, Zeina My name is Zeina, I am Lebanese and I am a teacher in technical education specializations (teaching diploma…
Project Assistant of the Project “Equity of access to quality education for girls and disadvantaged children in Malawi” Tell us about yourself, Patrick. My name is Patrick Siwinda, Project Assistant…
Il 24 Ottobre 2007, per volere della Congregazione dei Fratelli Maristi, è stata costituita la Fondazione Marista per la Solidarietà Internazionale. Ma FMSI è molto più di una data iscritta…
For 15 Years, Together, for the Benefit of Children Francesco Mastrorosa FMSI Project Administration Officer In 2013 I had just finished my more than 40 years of professional experience in…
“Humanity must be flooded with humanity” Andrea Rossi FMSI Director In the current world scenario, the war in Ukraine occupies the front pages of Western newspapers. Other Countries, perhaps more…
Director and Legal Representative of the Chantiik Taj Tajinkutik AC Association Tell us about yourself, Pascual. I am a lucky man. I realised this when I sat down to reflect…
Travelling toward the others, every day, that is having the sense of adventureAngela Petenzi FMSI Project Administration OfficerOver the years that I have worked in the project sector of the…
The Bible tells us, in the Gospel according to St. Matthew (Mt 2:13-14), that Joseph was told by an angel of the Lord to flee to Egypt, together with Mary…
The deadline for Zambia’s Universal Periodic Review is approaching. FMSI participated in the preparation of the Civil Society report on the situation of children’s rights in the Country together with…
Once again our sincere “thank you” to all the supporters who wished to allocate the “5xmille” of their income tax return to the Marist Foundation for International Solidarity (FMSI). We…
The Institute of the Marist Brothers (FMS: Fratres Maristae a Scholis), founded in France in 1817 by St. Marcellin Champagnat, is the second largest congregation of Brothers in the Catholic Church.
An encounter with a dying young man, Jean-Baptiste Montagne, who knew nothing of his faith and was barely able to read, proved to be the defining moment for Marcellin Champagnat. Soon after the boy’s death, St. Marcellin put into motion his vision. “We need brothers,” he said, who will give their lives in the service of children and young people, especially those most in need and neglected by society.
Champagnat, a man of great faith and trust in God’s providence, dedicated his early followers to Mary, sending them among young people, especially those least favored, to “make Jesus known and loved.” The initial focus of his work was to provide education for children in rural, areas since this was a pressing need at the time, and provided an opportunity for their faith development.
Today the community numbers about 3,000 members. They are joined by a network of nearly 40,000 lay people and reach over 700,000 children and young people in 80 countries. You will find this Marist network working in schools and universities, pastoral and social centers, youth movements and youth programs and wherever they find young people most in need.
El Instituto de los Hermanos Maristas (FMS: Fratres Maristae a Scholis), fundado en Francia en 1817 por San Marcelino Champagnat, es la segunda congregación de hermanos más numerosa de la Iglesia Católica.
Un encuentro con un joven moribundo, Jean-Baptiste Montagne, que no sabía nada acerca de su fe y que era apenas capaz de leer, se reveló como el momento decisivo para Marcelino Champagnat. Inmediatamente después de la muerte del niño, San Marcelino puso en práctica su visión. “Necesitamos hermanos”, dijo, que den sus vidas al servicio de los niños y jóvenes, especialmente los más necesitados y olvidados por la sociedad.
Champagnat, un hombre de gran fe y confianza en la providencia de Dios, consagró sus primeros seguidores a María, enviándoles entre los jóvenes, especialmente los más desfavorecidos para “dar a conocer a Jesús y hacerlo amar”. El primer objetivo de su trabajo fue ofrecer una educación a los niños de las zonas rurales, porque era una necesidad urgente en aquel tiempo, ofreciéndoles así una oportunidad para crecer en la fe.
En la actualidad los miembros de la congregación son unos 3.000. Junto a ellos trabaja una red de unos 40.000 laicos que atienden a más de 700.000 niños y jóvenes en 80 países. Esta red marista trabaja en colegios y universidades, centros sociales y pastorales, movimientos juveniles y programas de formación para la juventud y en cualquier lugar en el que encuentren jóvenes necesitados.
Congregazione dei Fratelli Maristi (FMS: Fratres Maristae a Scholis) fu fondata in Francia nel 1817 da S. Marcellino Champagnat ed è oggi la seconda congregazione maschile (di fratelli) della Chiesa per numero di professi.
L’incontro con Jean-Baptiste Montagne, un giovane di 17 anni in punto di morte, analfabeta e senza formazione religiosa, fu un momento cruciale per Marcellino Champagnat. Poco dopo la morte del giovane, egli volle dare seguito ad un’idea che gli era balenata in seminario. “Abbiamo bisogno di fratelli”, disse, “che diano la loro vita per il servizio ai bambini e ai giovani, specialmente quelli più bisognosi e dimenticati dalla società”.
Champagnat, un uomo di grande fede e fiducia nella Provvidenza divina, consacrò i suoi primi seguaci a Maria e li mandò tra i giovani, specialmente i più emarginati, per “far conoscere ed amare Gesú”. Fin dall’inizio la sua missione fu incentrata su bambini n età scolare delle zone rurali, poiché l’istruzione era una necessità urgente al tempo e poiché rappresentava una formidabile opportunità di evangelizzazione.
Oggi la Congregazione annovera circa 3.000 religiosi affiancati da quasi 40.000 laici; insieme essi assistono più di 700.000 bambini e giovani in 80 paesi del mondo.
I Maristi, religiosi e laici, prestano la loro opera in scuole e università, centri pastorali e sociali, movimenti e programmi giovanili e ovunque ci siano bambini e giovani bisognosi da assistere.