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Chaminade's Message Today
by Eduardo Benlloch, SM
156 pp., $7.50

Click on image to order

About this book:
Late in the 18^th 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 21^st 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 21^st 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.

Chapter 1 "The Divine Inspiration" (p. 7-21)

• While in exile for three years in Saragossa, Father Chaminade turned this time into a fruitful and positive experience of spiritual inspiration and growth. Compare and contrast the work of Father Chaminade before and after his exile in Saragossa (p. 18). Describe times in your life when you have experienced a personal setback and something positive, transformational, or growthful emerged from this experience.
  
  
• How do changes in society such as local, national, or global events of civil unrest or political upheaval impact your faith? How do you personally respond to those situations?
  
  
• How open are you to God's guidance during times of turbulence or uncertainty? In what ways can you improve your awareness of God's presence during these times?

Chapter 2 "A Project in Gestation" (p. 22-43)

• In what ways did Father Chaminade's childhood family life influence his lifelong religious beliefs? Support your answer with examples from the text (p. 22-28).
  
  
• Describe the life of Father Chaminade and the community he lived in during the exile in Saragossa (p. 33-39). How did this environment affect Chaminade's vision of the Bordeaux Sodality he founded upon his return? Explain.
  
  
• In his letter to Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon (p. 41), Father Chaminade shares the work he was inspired to bring back to France after his exile. Is it your opinion that Father Chaminade was inspired to create only lay communities upon his return to France, or that he was also inspired to found a new religious order; or did the religious order become part of his plan as the years rolled by? Explain.

Chapter 3 "The project Gets Underway" (p. 44-66)

• Benlloch writes: "Ordinarily, throughout the history of the Church, a religious order of men is established first, then the women's branch, and finally lay groups are gathered around these religious orders. . . . The foundation of Father Chaminade occurred in a completely reverse order. First the lay group was established, with its own well-defined spirit. Then, as a consequence and a need of this Marianist lay group, two religious orders arose–first that for women, and secondly the one for men." (p. 47). Does the sequence in which the Marianist Family was founded have significance to you? Why or why not? Explain your response.
  
  
• What role did Mary play in the creation of the Bordeaux Sodality? (p. 50-51). Does Mary play this same role in the Marianist Family today? How is her role the same? How is it different? Explain.
  
  
• How does the image of the early Christian community continue to challenge us? (p. 55-56)
  
  
• How successful are you at inviting others to participate and join in the Marianist mission, evangelization, and transformation? In what way is your faith supported and challenged by others?

Chapter 4 "The Project is Consolidated" (p. 67-91)

• Compare and contrast Father Chaminade's and Adèle's views of a religious institute when they first met (p. 69-72). How did they each compromise? What does this say about Father Chaminade and Mother Adèle? (p. 73-74).  In your opinion, how does this speak to the Marianist Family today?
  
  
• How are the characteristics, core mission, and ministries of the Daughters of Mary and the Society of Mary the same? Different? Keeping the Daughters of Mary and the Society of Mary in mind, how would you define or describe the role of lay communities in the Marianist Family?
  
  
• Benlloch summarizes the two major themes of faith and Mary that Father Chaminade stressed consistently in his retreats (pp. 85-87). Do you feel the Marianist Family still embraces these themes? If so, please give examples of how you see these themes at work today. If not, should these themes be resurrected? Why or why not? How?

Introduction to Part Two: Body and Spirit (p. 95-99)

• What are the most crucial issues in the world that you see, hear, or feel Jesus and Mary beckoning us to address as Marianists?
  
  
• Do you feel you have a sense of mission in your life? Have you found time in your life to devote to the issues you mentioned in the previous question? If so, how; if not, what changes can you make?

Chapter 5 "The Marianist Family" (p. 100-18)

• Highlight examples of the Rules of Life of the Daughters of Mary and the Society of Mary that indicate collaboration between all the branches of the Marianist Family (p. 101-03). What are the significant similarities between these two Rules of Life? Are these similarities in line with Father Chaminade's vision? Explain.
  
  
• What is the role of lay communities in the Marianist Family today? (p. 105-09). Is there a direct connection or collaboration between the religious orders and lay Marianists today? Describe.
  
• How do you see the presence and value of diversity in the Marianist Family?
  
  
• Who is present in your community? Who is missing or underrepresented? How can you continue to invite others into Marianist community to be present at the Marianist table?

Chapter 6 "The Marianist Spirit" (p. 119-152)

• Of the five Biblical scenes in which Mary is described by Father Benlloch, which has the most significance to the Marianist Family today? Which has the most significance to you? (p. 122-136).
  
• What does "living by faith" mean to you? (p. 136). How do or can Marianists model "living by faith" in today's world? Explain.
  
  
• Describe the ideal scenario of the Marianist lay community: frequency of meetings, composition of membership, mission, etc. Describe the ideal relationship between all branches of the Marianist Family: how they collaborate/how they support each other. What will the Marianist Family look like in 10 years? 20 years?
  
  
• "Do whatever he tells you." Take time to prayerfully ask yourself what this means to you as an individual member of the Marianist Family; as a layperson or religious in the Marianist Family; as a member of the human race. How does this quote challenge you or call you into action? Describe.

Optional Action Activities

1. Draw a spiritual timeline: Baptism, first Eucharist, first Reconciliation, Confirmation and other significant moments relating to your faith journey.
   
   
2. Draw a picture of Mary as a girl, as a young woman, as an elderly woman.
   
   
3. Draw a map of your childhood neighborhood or a place that felt like community for you (your neighbor's backyard, your grandparents' home). Place an "X" on three places where something memorable occurred. Write a paragraph for each place marked describing those moments of community.
   
   
4. Draw a S.I.T. chart for your faith. What do YOU feel are the "shoulds" (or goals), what "is," and what "tasks" you need to accomplish to achieve the goal stated in the first column.

5. Draw a picture or write an essay of what church would look like to you in a perfect world. Use all five senses in some way. Perhaps find old magazines and make a collage. Next, write a list of five things you could do in your life right now to make your version of church a reality.

(If you have any feedback or suggestions regarding this Reading Guide, please feel free to contact Patti Gehred, Coordinator of Virtual Learning and Curriculum Innovation, at Patti.Gehred@notes.udayton.edu or call 937-429-2521. We would be happy to hear from you.)