Chaminade University photo courtesy of Cliff Bieberly
New lay Marianists pose for a group photo in Chaminade University’s Mystical Rose Oratory Feb. 4.
Twenty-four lay men and women formally committed themselves to living out the values and charism of the Marianist order during a Mass in Chaminade University of Honolulu’s Mystical Rose Oratory Feb. 4.
Before an affirming crowd of colleagues, family members and friends they made a promise to share their faith as lay Marianists, non-vowed members of the religious community founded by Blessed Father William Joseph Chaminade that administers Chaminade University and St. Louis School.
The new members of the Marianist lay community are Tina Andrade, Barb Belle, Dave Coleman, Val Coleman, Rick Collins, Grissel Benitez-Hodge, Cynthia Estrella, Pi’ikea Hardy-Kahaleo’umi, Victor Hardy-Kahaleo’umi, Vince Hodge, Venus Ituralde, Jayne Mondoy, Julie Nagasako, Reynard Nivera, Yukio Ozaki, Jeannie Pinpin, Kristi Schulenberg, Nicole Stalter, Pete Steiger, Kay Stone, Uheina Tuihalafatai, Margaret Uiagalelei, Soane Uiagalelei and Lisa Vega.
“Many of us have been lay Marianists for years and just never had the opportunity to make a formal commitment,” said Kay Stone, Chaminade’s campus ministry director.
Formerly called Marian Sodalities, Marianist lay communities were founded in the early 19th century by Blessed Chaminade, Mother Adle de Batz de Trenquelléon and Sister Marie-Thérese Charlotte de Lamourous in Bordeaux, France. Members live out Christian values through faithful participation in their own communities, sharing in Mary’s mission to bring Jesus to the world.