Marianist Brothers and Fathers are introduced on Mamiya stage in the celebration of their order's 125th anniversary in Hawaii
Marianists mark 125 years in Hawaii with one festive night
By Patrick Downes | Hawaii Catholic Herald
The Marianists wrapped their 125 years in Hawaii into a celebratory evening on Jan. 24 that included everything that would fit: souvenirs, chants, conch shells, a documentary film, a Mass with the bishop, introductions, commitment rites and blessings, speeches and official proclamations, entertainment and kalua pig, sashimi, lomi salmon and more.
The evening started at 5 in Mamiya Theatre on the St. Louis/Chaminade campus. Many of the 450 guests were still lingering outside under tents sipping wine and munching tiny fruit tarts at 9 p.m. Time goes by quickly when you’re with the Society of Mary.
A century and a quarter swooshed past in the excellent documentary on Hawaii’s Marianists that opened the evening. Watching two giant screens, viewers were treated to century-old photos of brothers in 10-inch Victorian-era beards and their Hawaiian elementary students in tidy buttoned up suits, to World War II film clips, to video today.
Taking the stage to deliver an “expression of appreciation” for the contribution of the 492 Marianists who had served in Hawaii, Brother Stephen Glodek, provincial of the Marianist Province of the United States, added a note of apology. He said it was owed to islanders of times past who had joined the Marianists at the price of relinquishing their Hawaiian culture and traditions.
The celebration was an act of contrition of sorts with long Hawaiian chants, conch shell blasts, hula and many leis.
The Mass was for the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul which had taken precedence over the Sunday liturgy in honor of the Pauline year established by Pope Benedict XVI.
Bishop Larry Silva organized his homily around his three-part opening synopsis — “It began with a vision; it changed a life; it changed the world” — applying it both to St. Paul’s dramatic conversion and to the Marianists’ impressive history.
“Their vision was and is the light of Christ,” the bishop said of the French-born order of brothers, priests, sisters and lay people. “They have given a glimpse of the dazzling light who is Jesus himself.
“They have fulfilled that vision by offering an outstanding education” to Hawaii, he said.
“What wonderful fruit has been borne in our community,” said the bishop, citing a string of Marianist alumni accomplishments.
“May their light shine another 125 years and beyond,” he said. “May it continue to change lives; may it continue to change the world.”
The Marianists have given the islands some of its finest educational institutions in Saint Louis College (now Saint Louis School), St. Anthony School in Wailuku, St. Mary’s in Hilo and Chaminade University of Honolulu.
Their list of graduates reads like a Hawaii “Who’s Who” in the fields of religion, business, politics, medicine, sports, education and the arts.
The Mass showcased the lay Marianist movement — lay men and women who join the “Marianist Family” and live according to its mission and vision.
Lay Marianists are expected to learn about the Society of Mary, develop a spiritual relationship with the Blessed Mother, build communities of faith, grow in prayer, and support the Marianist Family with their time, talent and resources.
Twenty-two men and women formed a single row across the Mamiya stage to make their first one-year commitments as lay Marianists. “We wish to live out our Christian values as Marianists,” they said in unison, before individually sealing their pledges with their signatures on the altar.
They were joined by about 35 other lay Marianists who had made their commitments in 2007 and 2008, also renewing them that night.
Then the Marianist sisters, brothers and priests took the stage to renew their vows of chastity, poverty, obedience and stability.
The liturgy ended with a Hawaiian song of thanksgiving composed by island musician Robert Mondoy, “Aloha, e Malia,” sung by the special choir and interpreted by two hula dancers.
The day of celebration had actually begun in the morning with a memorial service for deceased Marianists at Diamond Head Memorial Park.
It extending into the night outside Mamiya around tables laden with local foods, drinks and deserts, as the band played on.