Marianist History/Biography

NACMS has classified our publications by level to aid you in finding material most helpful to you:

Basic for those new to the Marianist world and having little or no prior knowledge of Marianist history or the Marianist charism
Intermediate for those who have some knowledge and understanding of things Marianist
Advanced for those who have significant knowledge and understanding of things Marianist and want to go deeper
Resource materials, including prayers, activities, and reflections for individuals and groups
Reference materials, including source documents and compendia

The resources listed below are found within our e-publications and bookstore. Items available in our library are not listed, but can be found by searching in our library catalog.

Basic	Podcast: Beatification Memories (Interviews Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Chaminade's Beatification) On September 3rd, 2000, Father Chaminade was Beatified along with five other holy people during a Mass in St. Peter's Square. Pope St. John Paul II was the presider, and he noted that Blessed Chaminade was an "apostle of the laity." In this podcast, we interviewed six different people who were at the Beatification and the events surrounding it. Each of them provides their own perspective on that experience, as well as the legacy of Chaminade officially being named "Blessed."
Basic	The 91-Year Journey to the Beatification of Blessed Father William Joseph Chaminade Father William Joseph Chaminade was beatified in September 2000. Brother Tom Redmond, SM, highlights two early Marianist discoveries—one, the rediscovering of Chaminade’s greatness; the other, the discovering of his physical remains—that helped initiate the 91-year journey that culminated in our Blessed Founder’s recognition by the Vatican.
Basic	Miracle in Buenos Aires A look at the miraculous healing of Elena Graciela Otero, through the intercession of Father Chaminade.
INT / ADV	Chaminade and Adversity: A Conversation Brother Timothy Phillips, SM, a Marianist scholar and formator, and Anthony Garascia, a professional counselor, discuss challenges involved in Blessed Chaminade’s long life.
Reference	Basic Handbook of Marianist Studies The Basic Handbook of Marianist Studies is a key resource exploring the historical trends related to the origins of Marianist life and its development. Compiled and created by Bro. Lawrence J. Cada, SM, and Carol Ramey, it is a one-stop shop for historically-rich content on the origins and historical markers along the Marianist journey.
Basic	Podcast: Wisdom from Our Founders for this Time of Pandemic In this "socially distanced" episode of the podcast, Patti Gehred interviews Sister Gabby Bibeau about an article she wrote for the NACMS website on the parallels between the current COVID crisis and the Founders' own experiences of crisis during the French Revolution and experiences of illness. In particular, the focus is what we can learn from our Marianist Founders about how to approach the current pandemic by growing in the virtues of faith, hope, and love.
Basic	Living in a Time of Crisis: It’s in Our Marianist DNA Be it during a time of global pandemic or the French Revolution, Sister Gabrielle Bibeau, FMI, reminds us that biological and societal crises are not new for Marianists.
Basic	Podcast: Story of a Friendship (Mother Adèle and Jeanne Diché) This episode is a re-creation--through fictionalized letters--of Adele's relationship and collaboration with her best friend, Jeanne Diché. Jeanne was also an important support to the Marianist Sisters in their early foundation years. Listen to how their friendship unfolds, even as they choose different vocations: religious life for Adele, and marriage and motherhood for Jeanne.
BAS / INT	In the Light of the Beatitudes: FMI Circular No. 13 Using the beatitudes as a spiritual backdrop pertaining to Adèle's beatification, Sister Franca Zonta, FMI, expounds on Adèle's fidelity to God and her witness to the "bottom up movement" within the Church: holiness found in the the faithfulness to God's call in the ordinary moments of life.
Basic	Mary's Eager Optimist Father Herbert Kramer, SM, provides the reader with an easy-to-read primer on the life of Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon, Founder of the Marianist Sisters. This 23-page work captures the essence of Adèle.