This determined group established the first Marianist presence in the United States, ministering in the Cincinnati-Dayton area and founding institutions like St. Mary's School for Boys in 1850. This institution eventually evolved into the University of Dayton, which celebrates its 175th birthday this year. We wish a very happy 175th birthday to the University of Dayton!
For those traveling, we hope your summer adventures are far smoother than the arduous journey described by Bro. Damian Litz:
"We got aboard a rickety, old merchantman in which a sort of den was made of rough boards to hold us and our originals. We did not sail: we rolled and rolled for forty-two and a half days. I was the first among the passengers to discover land. Brother Edel was sick of [with] dysentery during nearly the whole time. I myself got seasick at every heavy roll. (Brother Edel relates that during a severe storm the vessel received such a severe shock once as to make Brother Litz jump up and cry out “Salve Regina.”) Brother Zehler was once flung from one side of the ship to the other and was badly hurt.” (1)
To delve deeper into the Society of Mary's early years in the U.S., we suggest reading Father Leo Meyer’s 13 Years at Nazareth, by Fr. John Graves, SM, which is available in our bookstore.
Published in the NACMS Newsletter for July 2025.
(1) John G. Graves, SM. Father Leo Meyer's 13 Years at Nazareth (Dayton: NACMS, 1997), 26