Recently it was the 204th anniversary of the pledge made by twelve young Priests to start the Marist order. Filled with eagerness and motivated to complete the task they felt called to put this down in writing, saying:

“[We] assert and declare our sincere intention and firm will of consecrating ourselves at the first opportunity to founding the pious congregation of Mary-ists.”

Signed in 1816, there was no formal recognition of this by the Church until 1836 when the Marist Fathers were approved and then the Marist Brothers in 1863. Disillusioned by this lack of recognition, only a few of the original twelve stayed true to their pledge and remained Marists. The dedication of those who remained serves as a reminder to us that the need for recognition should not hinder our work. St Marcellin is an excellent example of this as he was one of these twelve men yet by 1817 he had already started his first community and school. Working tirelessly for the next 24 years he was diligent to his work until his death in 1940, it was 23 years later when this was recognized by the Church.

While recognition is not a bad thing, as Marists it should not be the end we seek. Instead, we should, as St Marcellin did, work diligently towards our goals and knowing that their completion is enough.