Be Bold in Faith: Blessed Chaminade’s Vision Lights the Way
Larry Keller (far right) at the beatification in Rome 2000
Marianists in Rome wearing the Chaminade scarf 2000
Chaminade College Prep, St. Louis, students at beatification in Rome 2000
Twenty-five years ago, on September 3, 2000, Pope John Paul II declared William Joseph Chaminade “Blessed,” calling him a model for the Church and a beacon for youth. Among the thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square that day were students, faculty, parents, religious, and lay members from Marianist schools and ministries worldwide.
Larry Keller, who now works in the U.S. Province Office of Sponsorship, attended the beatification with a group from St. John Vianney High School, where he was then principal. He recalls the profound sense of unity: “We were given scarves with the Marianist logo. Though we spoke many languages, that scarf identified us as Marianists. It was a moment of deep connection and joy.”
“The Marianist Charism is a true gift to our world and our Church,” reflects Provincial Fr. Oscar Vasquez. “Blessed Chaminade’s dream—to bring people together in faith and mission—remains more relevant than ever. I’m thankful our ministries continue to live that vision.”
The beatification anniversary is not just a moment of remembrance—it’s a call to action. John Paul II reminded us that one of Chaminade’s greatest gifts was his focus on youth: “Young people need both teachers and witnesses.”
That vision is alive and thriving today in Marianist school classrooms, chapels, and lay communities. From Dayton, OH, to Honolulu, HI, from Dublin, Ireland, to Puebla, Mexico, and from San Antonio, TX, to St. Louis, MO, Marianist communities marked the 25th anniversary with prayer services, Masses, exhibits, and joyful gatherings. Social media lit up with Chaminade quotes, photos from that day in Rome, and reflections on his enduring impact that can be seen in the Marian Library “Forever Marianist” exhibit.
“I pray daily for the canonization of Father Chaminade,” Keller shares. “I invite students and educators to do the same—and to respond to his call to bring others to Christ. My hope is that we continue to form Marianist educators who reach students’ hearts, not just their minds.”
Chaminade College Preparatory in West Hills, CA, stated on its social media that “With this year’s CME (Characteristics of Marianist Education) focus on Formation in Faith, we reflect on our call to be ‘other Chaminades’— people rooted in faith, shaped by Mary, and sent forth to bring Christ’s love to the world.”
That sentiment echoes throughout the Marianist community. “Our mission is to form young men in the Marianist tradition—faithful, adaptable, and devoted to building communities of love and service,” said an Archbishop Moeller High School representative.
So, as we mark the milestone with gratitude, let us also have a renewed purpose—to educate, serve, and witness Christ’s love in the Marianist spirit. Click here to see more pictures of gatherings and social media posts from around the Province.
To Young People:
You are the heart of Chaminade’s vision.
Get involved. Join campus ministry. Experience a retreat. Serve your community. Pray for vocations. Be bold in faith.
Let us unite as a Marianist family to honor Chaminade’s spirit and continue his mission. #MarianistFamily
St. Mary's University Prayer Service
Marianist Community in Puebla, Mexico
St. Laurence College LIFE students, Dublin, Ireland
Marianist Educational Associates at Chaminade University of Honolulu
In The News
Chaminade University Announces New Board of Regents Members
Chaminade University of Honolulu has appointed two respected Hawai’i business leaders to its Board of Regents, strengthening its mission-driven leadership as it celebrates its 70th year of educating students. The two new members are David Oyadomari and Kristine Stebbins.
Oyadomari is the founder and managing director of Ekklesia Capital, an innovation and strategy firm that supports small business growth. He serves on Chaminade’s School of Business and Communication advisory board and actively participates in community service, including work with the Hoea Foundation and Kakaako Christian Fellowship.
Stebbins is the Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Bank of Hawaii, with nearly three decades of experience in digital marketing, brand strategy, and customer engagement. She has been a longtime supporter of the University and is a dedicated community advocate, mentoring local entrepreneurs and serving on the board of the Girl Scouts and other initiatives.
Chaminade University President Lynn Babington said, “Each is dedicated to the service-focused mission of Chaminade University, and each brings extensive experience as business and community leaders.”
Marian Library Receives Gift of Art & History
West Virginia researcher John Shaffer has donated his collection of works by the Italian artist Ezio Anichini to the Marian Library. In 2022, he loaned his artwork to the University of Dayton for a major exhibit.
Shaffer, who retired in 2017 as director of arts programming at the State University of New York at Oswego, began building his collection after seeing illustrations the artist had done for Dante’s Divine Comedy. When he discovered that the Marian Library had one of just a few copies in the world of a book featuring Anichini’s work, he reached out for more information. So began a collaboration that resulted in the exhibit A Vision of Art and Faith: The Litany of Loreto and the Work of Ezio Anichini (1886-1948).
The John Shaffer Collection on the Works of Ezio Anichini, 1886-1948, which contains more than 250 items, can be viewed at the Marian Library (appointments are preferred). Can’t make it to the Marian Library to see the artwork in person? Selected items in the collection have been digitized and are now available for browsing in eCommons, the University’s institutional repository. Click here to read more.
Congratulations, Fr. Jim Heft!
Fr. Jim Heft has been honored as the 2025 Marianist Award recipient. Established in 1950, the Marianist Award was originally presented to scholars who made outstanding contributions to Mariology in America. In 1967, the concept for the award was broadened to honor individuals who made outstanding contributions to humanity.
In 1986, Fr. Jim Heft, then provost at the University of Dayton, and Bro. Raymond Fitz, then president of UD, redesigned the award to honor a Roman Catholic whose work has made a major contribution to intellectual life.
Now, 39 years later, Fr. Jim joins quite a distinguished group of scholars /theologians as he was bestowed the award.
Marianist Ministries in Action
New Year, New Look – Continued Commitment
Nearly 200 students gathered in the newly renovated Immaculate Conception Chapel at Chaminade College Preparatory (CCP), St. Louis, to celebrate the first Marianist Life Community (MLC) Friday Mass of the year that is open to all students. They then bonded over some kolaches before classes started at 8 a.m.
CCP’s MLC is a program for all sixth through 12th-grade students at the school. It is designed to build communities centered on faith and shared values through community building, servant leadership, compassion, and integrity. It provides spiritual growth opportunities and fosters a sense of belonging and purpose, preparing students to become compassionate community leaders.
Fr. Sean Downing blessed students as they prepared not just for the challenges of high school but for a lifetime of purpose, guiding them to become the men the world needs them to be.
Learn More About Faith Formation
Marianist Moments
Spirituality as an Asset in Leadership Development
By Dr. Jessica González Uhlig, Catholic Administrator and Educator at St. Mary’s University
In today’s fast-paced and often fragmented world, leadership development programs tend to prioritize competencies like strategic thinking, communication, and data-driven decision-making. While these are undoubtedly important, they are incomplete without grounding in a deeper sense of purpose and ethical direction. With more than 20 years of experience in Marianist education and formation, I have come to believe that spirituality is not only a vital support to leadership—it is a powerful asset.
In Marianist circles, we learn that leadership is not just a role; it is a vocation. Founders such as Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, Venerable Marie Thérèse de Lamourous, and Blessed Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon modeled leadership that was rooted in deep prayer, community, and a vision larger than themselves. They show us that true leadership begins with the inner life—with cultivating virtues such as humility, courage, and fidelity to one’s values.
Click here to read the full article.
Pray With Us
Please join us in prayer for these members of the Marianist Family.
◆ Recent deaths and those in need of prayers for healing in the Marianist Family
◆ Obituaries of U.S. Province Marianist brothers and priests since 2018
Bro. John Raymond Habjan, 80, died on Sept. 1, 2025, in Kettering, OH, with 61 years of religious profession.
Bro. John was a dedicated teacher, high school administrator, and educational innovator. He’s remembered fondly by colleagues for setting high academic standards while also challenging students to achieve more than they thought capable. He played a key role in developing “Characteristics of Marianist Education,” a document that has shaped teaching methods and curriculum at Marianist-sponsored schools in the U.S. since the 1990s. Click here to read more.
Click here to see more photos of Bro. John through the years.
Fr. Robert Emmet Hughes, 94, died on Sept. 24, 2025, in Cupertino, CA, with 76 years of religious profession.
Once his obituary is completed, you will find it here.
Click here to see more photos of Fr. Robert through the years.
Good to Know
Auschwitz Legacy Fellowship Awarded
An English teacher at Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati, OH, was awarded the Auschwitz Legacy Fellowship. Mandy Ocariz underwent an application process and interview before being selected as one of 44 teachers across the country chosen for the fellowship. It is a year-long, fully funded educational program for high school teachers, launched by the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation (ABMF) to deepen Holocaust education in the United States. The program includes intensive pre-trip preparation, a transformative trip to Poland to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau and other historical sites.
Honor Bestowed Posthumously
Bro. Carmine Annuziata
On Friday, September 26, 2025, Bro. Carmine Annuziata, SM (1931-2022), was honored at a banquet with the distinguished medal of honor by the Alumni Association of St. James Catholic High School in Chester, PA. This medal honors and expresses the respect and love for Bro. Carmine and his 16 years at St. James.
Bro. Stephen Glodek, SM, wrote the biography and acceptance letter for this honor for the Marianist Province of the United States. Lance Lohr, a former student of Bro. Carmine and, subsequently, a fellow faculty member at St. James High School, accepted the honor on behalf of Bro. Carmine and the Society of Mary.
Celebrating 175 Years of Marianist Presence
The University of Dayton (UD) marked its 175th anniversary on Sept. 3, the date the first students attended class at what was then known as Saint Mary’s School for Boys. The anniversary was commemorated on that day with special events, but the celebrations continue with a pair of exhibits showcasing stories of UD’s history with artifacts, archives, art and more.
“Forever Marianist: 175 Years of Marianist Presence at UD,” focusing on the foundational and ongoing impact of Marianists on the UD campus, is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays now through Oct. 31, in the Marian Library Gallery.
“Honoring Our History: UD at 175” explores how UD has flourished and adapted to foster its welcoming community guided by Marianist values from its humble beginnings as a school for boys to a top-tier national research university. It is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Stuart and Mimi Rose Gallery.
E-mail library@udayton.edu for more information on the exhibits.
100 Years Young!
Bro. James Leahy turned 100 years young on Sept. 2! This spry centenarian, born in 1925, was a beloved teacher and is now retired at the Marianist Community in Cupertino, CA.
Last year he celebrated 80 years of profession as a dedicated Marianist Brother. In his biography for the jubilee, he wrote, “I learned quite early in life that I would not be able to do everything for everybody but would be able to do something for somebody.”
Join the Journey!
Join Fr. Tim Kenney on a 10-day Spiritual Journey to Poland and Prague! The 2026 Pilgrimage, hosted by the Marianist Mission, takes place April 17-26. Space is limited. Click here for more info.
JOIN US!
Click here to discover job opportunities within our Marianist Ministries across the United States.
New listings include:
Chaminade Julienne High School (OH) – President
University of Dayton (OH) – Asst. Director of Marianist Strategies
Marianist Province of the U.S. (OH) – Director of Facilities
Archbishop Moeller High School (OH) – Campus Minister
Check Out More Marianist News
Via Latina from the General Administration of the Society of Mary
Sharing Our Marianist Stories podcast from North American Center for Marianist Studies
All Things Marian podcast from the International Marian Research Institute
Justice Jottings from the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative
AMU Newsletter from the Association of Marianist Universities
Region Update #96 from the Marianist Region of India
FatherSide Chats is a web video series featuring Fr. Gene Contadino. Discover new episodes every Tuesday about a variety of topics. Click the graphic to view episodes. Click here to read more.
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