|
 Chaminade's
Message Today
by Eduardo Benlloch, SM
156 pp. $5.00.
No charge to
members of the SM or FMI
Click
on Image to Order
Late in the 18th century, during the French Revolution,
Blessed William Joseph Chaminade was inspired at the feet of Our Lady
of Pillar in Saragossa to found the Marianist family. Are the
aspirations and inspirations of William Joseph Chaminade still
relevant in the 21st century? This question is thoroughly
addressed in Father Eduardo Benlloch’s Chaminade’s Message Today.
Father Benlloch explores the influences and experiences of Father
Chaminade’s lifetime, but not in a biographical context. Father
Benlloch’s purpose is far more long reaching. Father Chaminade’s
unfailing faith, devotion to Mary, and
dedication to prayer life are timeless qualities that are inspiring,
and Benlloch suggests even necessary, for today’s Marianists. Father
Benlloch unites Father Chaminade’s message with the problems facing
the world as the 21st century precariously unfolds. Blessed
William Joseph Chaminade was unique in his forethought and devotion to
sharing Christ’s message with future generations. Chaminade’s
Message Today inspires today’s Marianists to continue in this
mission.
Click to view:
Excerpt
Table of Contents |
 (Just)
Do Whatever He Tells You
A packet of materials by
Marianists to aid building and growth of lay communities.
78 pp., $10.00
Click
on Image to Order
This
dynamic, "living" document is based on the experiences of members of
North American Lay Communities. It is "living" in the sense that the
document is open-ended to possible future updates and additions. A
very practical, down-to-earth guide to forming and building
communities, the suggested resources and strategies make this an
invaluable tool for establishing and continuing faith-based
communities. What sets this apart from other resources is the proven
effectiveness of the ideas to actually work in the forming and
sustaining of small communities.
The work is divided into four
parts–a kind of step-by-step process that those beginning to
establish or seeking to enrich their community will find useful and
exceedingly practical. Part I addresses issues of "Growing
Communities" with specific examples involved in balancing,
developing, and building community. Part II offers "Group Survival
Skills" that have been proven to work in community conflict
situations and group dynamics. Part III presents the framework of
community within the Marianist tradition, supported by a strong
heritage from the Founders, reaching into the future of the
Marianist Charism. Finally, Part IV allows the reader to benefit
from both resources and networks which provide practical tips for
formation of small communities.
Click to view
excerpt
|
 (Just)
Do Whatever He Tells You ... Together!
A practical guide
to collaboration among communities in the Marianist Family; based on
experiences of Marianist Lay Communities (MLC) in North America.
49 pp., $5.00
Click
on Image to Order
(This portion of our website
is currently under construction.)
|
 Enfleshing
the Word:
Prayer and the Marianist Spiritual Journey
Enrique Aguilera,
SM, and Jose Maria Arnaiz, SM
302 pp. $8.00
Click on Image to Order
This is a
book for all Marianists, lay and religious, and can be of help
individually or in preparing for a meeting. It uses the metaphor of
a journey: we listen to God’s call, we are to become like Jesus, and
we set out. Each section contains suggestions on prayer for
individual or group use, including several scripture passages and
various suggestions for praying in the way of Chaminade developed in
clear, modern language. Spirituality, prayer, scripture, the
Marianist charism, and the writings of William Joseph Chaminade are
at your fingertips.
Click to view:
Excerpt
Table of Contents |
 God
Alone: Thoughts from Adèle
Compiled by Patti Gehred
$5.00
Click on Image to Order
Adèle de Batz de
Trenquelléon is well known in the Marianist Family as the founder of
the Marianist Sisters. Perhaps not as well known is her gift of
staying in community and communication through writing letters. In
God Alone we have published quotes from these letters in a daily
calendar format. A blank page has been provided in this publication
to encourage the reader to write his/her own thoughts and prayers
that are inspired by Adèle’s words.
Click to read an
excerpt
|
 The
Grain of Wheat
Quentin Hakenewerth,
SM.
88 pp. $5.00 (reissued 1997)
Click
on Image to Order
Father Hackenewerth
states in his preface: “The Grain of Wheat is meant for anyone who
wants to grow in virtue and develop an effective personality for
dealing with the daily challenges of life. It begins with what is
within the scope of everyone and moves gradually to what is totally
within the power of the Holy Spirit.” This book was first published
in 1967, but especially in its revision,
speaks to us today. We are a society plugged into our computers and
maintaining schedules that keep us withdrawn from society. A Grain
of Wheat reminds and shows us that we need to reach out to others.
“Our defenses and protective habits must die so that our love can
reach out to others. The redemptive message of the Gospel reminds us
if the grain dies ‘it bears much fruit’
(Jn 12:24).”
Click to view:
Excerpt
Table of Contents |
 The
Great Design of God's Love
Quentin Hakenewerth, SM
106 pp., $5.50
Click on Image to Order
The Venerable
William Joseph Chaminade, founder of the Marianists, received the gift
of Charism from the Holy Spirit. It is this same charism that Father
Hakenewerth integrates with the virtues of Jesus to aid us in living
our lives more fully in our faith. Each chapter begins with a teaching
of Marianist charism, continues with themes for prayer and meditation,
and concludes with questions for personal reflection or group sharing.
This book guides its readers through many facets of Marianist charism,
while encouraging us to be missionaries of good works in the name of
Jesus and Mary.
Click
to view:
Excerpt
Table of Contents |
 Growing
in the Virtures of Jesus
Quentin Hakenewerth, SM
188 pp., $5.95
Click on Image to Order
The term
“virtues” can conjure up feelings of outdated dogmas, old-fashioned
guilt, and impossible moral standards. Father Quentin Hakenewerth
provides a gentle, clear opportunity for us to grow in the virtues of
Jesus together. His assumption is that we all have positive capacities
in our personalities that can be magnified if we become aware of our
true potential through self-awareness and prayer. In our fast-paced,
success oriented world, Father Hakenewerth guides us on a journey of
inner-peace and a union with Jesus, enabling us to face life in a
Christ-oriented manner.
Click
to view:
Excerpt
Table of Contents |
 Habits for the Journey: A
Mystical and Political Spirituality for Small Christian Communities
Bernard J. Lee, SM
117 pp., $8.00
Click on Image to Order
This book presents
a spirituality for small Christian
communities. Each part follows a particular “road” interwoven with
Marianist history and traditions. Particularly useful and practical
for those beginning to share in this journey, this book encourages
conversations that enliven and help insure the stability of these
developing communities.
Click to view:
Excerpt
Table of Contents |
 A Manual
of Marianist Spirituality
Quentin Hakenewerth, SM.
67 pp., $5.00 (reprinted 2000)
Click
on Image to Order
When people
call the NACMS office to ask for a good introduction to the essential
elements of Marianist Spirituality, this is the book we recommend.
Father Hakenewerth’s book, now in its second printing, was written to
give readers an easy-to-understand description of the inspirations of
Father William Joseph Chaminade that he gave to members of the
Marianist Family to progress on their spiritual journey.
Hakenewerth
says, “The uniqueness of our spirituality does not lie in the fact
that we have elements which are not found elsewhere. All the
essential elements of the life of the Spirit should be found in every
spirituality. What is unique is the particular emphasis that is
given, the specific methods used, and the particular way of
understanding and living the life of the Spirit.”
A psychologist
by training and a gifted teacher, Father Hakenewerth writes about
Chaminade’s unique perspective and methods for the spiritual life in a
style that will appeal to people’s intellects and hearts.
Click to view
Excerpt
Table of Contents |
 Marianist
L-I-N-G-O
Bingo
created by Patti Gehred
25 L-I-N-G-O Bingo Cards, 40
Marianist Vocabulary Cards (Game tokens not included)
$15.00
Click
on Image to Order
Like to play games? Ever find
it difficult to explain what this "Marianist thing" is all about?
If so, then this Marianist version of Bingo is the fun and communal
way to help you out. Lingo Bingo has all the fun of traditional
Bingo while explaining key terms from our own Marianist Tradition.
Best of all, the game has been warmly received by children of all
ages.
If you minister at a school or
parish, or if you are a member of a Marianist community, this game
will provide a fun social outlet and at the same time educate.
Click to view:
Sample game card & how to play
|
My
Dear Friend
Series
Joyce
Detzel, NFMI, $10.00 each
Click
on Image to Order
If
you like writing letters, sharing with friends, or listening to
personal faith stories, a new Marianist interactive experience may be
for you.
We at NACMS have created My Dear
Friend, a three-set spiritual companioning series based on the
letters of Adèle, the young and energetic Founder of the Marianist
Sisters. Her writings provide a rich source of personal and spiritual
insight for today, the type of material that is best shared with
others.
People from various geographical
locales, ages, denominations, and states of life (lay,
vowed or religious) pair up and become friends who reflect on
topical background sheets and correspond with each other based on
conversation starter questions that guide writing sessions. Joyce
Detzel, former NACMS intern and
novice with the Marianist Sisters, is the author of My Dear
Friend.
Click here
to learn about the
cyberspace faith-sharing version of My Dear
Friend.
 "Power
of the Pen"
Click on Image to Order
Write, share, and talk about topics
relevant to everyday faith. Learn the art of spiritual companioning.
Explore what it means to be faithful leaders/followers who try to
understand how God is at work in their life. Consider new ways to put
your faith into action. See how silence and speech can be spiritual
tools and walk more closely with Mary as a companion.
 "Heroic
Hearts"
Click on Image to Order
We all need strong hearts of faith.
Explore peak spiritual experiences. See how you, your friends, and
other role models of faith deal with death and loss, spiritually
advance, focus on God rather than self, and encounter amazing examples
of grace through everyday life, people, and the sacraments.
Click here to read an
excerpt from the "Heroic Hearts" session.
 "Arising
Anew"
Click on Image to Order
The paschal mystery of Jesus'
suffering, death, and resurrection brings radical change to lives,
families, and communities. Gain a new appreciation for how temptation,
sin, and guilt can be transformed into moments of healing and
life--find renewed hope that the spirit of fire and love can
strengthen and empower broken places of life, ministry, and service.
|
 Our
Marianist Heritage
Joseph Stefanelli, SM
112 pp. Revised edition, 2003, $5.00
Click
on Image to Order
First
published in 1974 and revised in 2003, this
book began as retreat presentations in 1971. Its aim is to probe the
life of faith, the centrality of Jesus Christ, the role of Mary, and
the value of community. It probes some specific questions, such as,
what is it about the Society of Mary that gives it a special role in
the Church, and what is it about the Society that guarantees the
diversity of gifts in the church.
In addition to laying
out a bird’s-eye view of the times in relation to religious life (in
the preface), the author discusses Father Chaminade’s spirituality
(characterized by openness to reality), its scriptural and historical
underpinnings, Mary and some of her titles, and the concept of
community within the institute and within the Church as a whole.
The author includes
other parts of Marianist heritage in the form of The Three Offices,
The Three Categories, The System of Virtues, and Father Chaminade’s
understanding of the apostolate.
Father Stefanelli
asks very probing questions of the Society of Mary. While he spoke and
wrote for the Society in particular, this book is an important
orientation for lay Marianists in understanding the charism and
apostolate they have committed themselves to, and points a direction
in the formation that is needed to think, feel, and act as a Marianist.
Click to view:
Excerpt
Table of Contents |
 A
Retreat with Adèle
Eileen J. Cehyra, FMI
NACMS, 2000
24 pp., $2.00
Click on Image to Order
A Retreat with Adèle
is a spiritual guide which takes readers on a seven-day retreat. The
booklet is filled with scripture passages centering on Jesus and Mary;
the words of Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon, Foundress of the Marianist
Sisters; and reflection questions which can be used for personal or
group activities. It is geared toward anyone
making a personal retreat or for someone seeking moments of quiet away
from the "busyness" of life.
This 24-page booklet has been published as part of
the 50th Anniversary of the foundation of the Marianist
Sisters in the United States.
Click to view
Excerpt |
 Running
Giant
Louis Reile, SM
117 pp., $8.00
Click
on Image to Order
“[This]
book’s title was inspired by the image of ‘the sun, which comes forth
like the groom from his bridal chamber and, like a giant, joyfully
runs its course” (p. vii). The giant in our book is William Joseph
Chaminade. “Running Giant” is an easy-to-read historical retelling of
the life and times of the Marianist founder. This novel is
an especially helpful
introduction to the beginnings of the Marianist Family.
This book may be useful to teachers in a
classroom environment or to promote
discussion in Small Community
groups.
Click to view:
Excerpt
Table of Contents |
 Scripture
and the Marian Writings of Father William Joseph Chaminade
Monograph 44
Bertrand Buby, SM
148 pp., $5.00
No charge to
members of the SM or FMI
Click
on Image to Order
This book is a
thoroughgoing development of the topic by a Marianist priest and
well-known scripture scholar. He reveals the background out of which
Father Chaminade developed his Marian teaching and devotion to the
Bible, including the French School of Spirituality and his reading of
the Fathers of the Church. Father Buby tells
us that while Father Chaminade was not a Mariologist, his love for and
devotion to Mary prompted him to use the whole of the Bible to teach
about Mary in a practical, wisdom-like manner. He observes that Father
Chaminade gave us a Marianist heritage that is close to Vatican II’s
synthesis of Mary in chapter 8 of the Dogmatic Constitution of the
Church (Lumen Gentium, §§ 52-68), thus affirming just how far Father
Chaminade had tapped into the roots that later flourished in the
1960’s. The book is thoroughly researched, using Marianist sources and
contains numerous direct quotations from Father Chaminade. A bonus is
a page-long prayer by the author that begins each of the ten chapters
to help the reader focus on the spiritual content.
Father Buby’s genius
is his ability to use his talent and education as a scripture scholar
to lay the foundation of his books on solid research. Yet, his work is
never lofty or up in the clouds cut loose from his pastoral,
practical, work of using scripture to inspire the reader to greater
devotion to Jesus and Mary and to greater response to the demands of
discipleship.
Click to view:
Excerpt
Table of Contents |
 Stories
From The Wake
Mary Lynne
Gasaway Hill
89 pp., $5.00
No charge to
members of
the SM or FMI
Click
on Image to Order
"In the wake of these two revolutions, the French Revolution
(1789-99) and our contemporary 'technological revolution,'
Catholics have gathered in small groups to try and figure things
out. Whereas we tend to view the two revolutions as series of
linear events, taking place chronologically, we view the
responses, of gathering in small communities in the circular
sense.”
Mary Lynne Gasaway Hill, a lay Marianist and professor of
English at St. Mary’s University, in Stories from the Wake:
The Revolutionary Reponses of the Sodality of Bordeaux and Small
Christian Communities, examines the development of Small
Christian Communities (SCCs) related to these two revolutionary
moments.
She describes shifts in the “grand narrative” of the day—defined
as the foundational sources of meaning that organize and direct
people and behavior in a meaningful way—caused by these events.
In light of such dramatic changes, where society has become
un-glued, how does one create a new cohesive bond that draws
people into the Christian story?
Hill examines the rise of the Small Christian Community
movement, both during the time of Father Chaminade and the
original Sodality and in terms of today’s postmodernism, for
possible answers.
Click to view:
Excerpt
Table of Contents
|
Things Marianist was
developed in 1992 as a response to individuals and groups looking for
easily-accessible materials on Marianist spirit and charism. Before
the advent of this series, most printed information was historical
research in book or monograph form. The target audience included
parishioners, parents of high school students, and new members of
Marianist lay communities.
NACMS has modeled the pamphlets on the
popular Catholic Update
series. Each issue can stand alone, but taken as a set,
the pieces provide a broad overview of the special character and gifts
of Marianist life. Things Marianist may be ordered as a
single copy of an issue, in quantity to receive a discount, or in sets
(one copy of each issue).
Each pamphlet includes an annotated
bibliography of further reading on the topic. To date, eight issues
have been printed; several have gone into a second printing, and
47,000 copies are now in circulation.
Click on titles
below to read a brief description of each issue.
What Do You Mean, "I'm a
Missionary"?
Adolf M. Windisch,
SM, and
Daniel M. Jordan
Whose Wine Is It? Reflections on the
Discipleship of Equals in Marianist Communities
Stephen M. Glodek, SM
Setting a Marianist Table
developed by Carol Quinn and
Laura Leming, FM
What Do You Mean? Community is Gift and Task?
Isabella Moyer
 |
 Until
Christ Be Formed in You
Paul J. Landolfi, SM
148 pp. Saragossa Publications $5.00
Click on
Image to Order
In this book, Father Landolfi
facilitates conversation between Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the
reader. Each chapter begins with a passage from scripture that depicts
an event or description of Jesus' life. Father Landolfi then poses
questions that ask the reader to look at this passage through the eyes
of Mary and Jesus. Father Landolfi writes, "This booklet may be used
individually for personal prayer or for group prayer discussion. The
conversation hopefully will engender conversation of one's own."
Click to view:
Excerpt
Table of Contents
|
|
|
