Inside the ancient chapel of the Blessed Virgin in the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, Lyon, France, is the image before which the Marist aspirants, on Jul 23, 1816, promised to form the Society of Mary.On the heels of the year-long celebration of 150 years of Marist ministry in the U.S., Marists in America are joining others from around the world in planning for the bicentenary of the "Fourvière Pledge," which commemorates when Marist aspirants, on Jul 23, 1816, promised to form the Society of Mary.
In preparation for the day itself, the branches of the Marist family will dedicate the year from July 23, 2015, to July 23, 2016.
For centuries, Fourvière—the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière—in Lyon, France, has been and continues to be a place of pilgrimage where believers come to place their future in Mary's hands. It was to this shrine on the morning of Jul 23, 1816, that twelve young men came to pledge their commitment to form the Society of Mary. The Marist family would be made up of several branches and so this place is of foundational significance to all Marists.
The center of the events will be a celebration of the Eucharist at the Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière, Lyons, on July 24, 2014.
Fr. Tony Corcoran, s.m., secretary general of the Society of Mary, says that the Marist youth who are preparing for World Youth Day to be held in Poland, also will be participating. "It is hoped that the Mass will be broadcast live through the web, so that Marists in many parts of the world will be able to be linked in," he said. "The intention is that there will be celebrations by the Marist family held throughout the Marist world."
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.