Jen Martinez, Sam Mano and Matt Grevatt represented Logos at Fourvière, Lyons, France on July 23 and the previous week! They were with a large international group of young people to mark what members of the Marist family call “The Fourvière Pledge”. They enjoyed a week of activities called Dare to Dream as a build up to the day.
Matt, Jen and Sam (right to left) perform a Haka with other NZ representatives at a Dare to Dream function celebrating people from around the world.
On 23 July 1816 a group of twelve young men promised to begin the Society of Mary. Several of them had literally completed their training to be Catholic priests the day before. With their graduation the group would break up as the new priests moved to their places of work. The twelve had, in the lead up to the celebration of the Mass they shared, signed a pledge. The written document was placed on the altar during the Mass. This took place in an ancient church on top of a hill overlooking Lyons.
One of the Dare to Dream activities was to visit the grave of a Marist Founder, Fr Jean Claude Colin, at La Neyliere not far south of Lyons. Jen wrote on Facebook 20 July “A profound day spent at La Neylière … I was moved to see how many young people were touched and inspired by being with JC Colin … I am so grateful to have shared singing Mo Maria with the fellow Kiwis as we stood around Colin. Today I give thanks for the Marist journey … for all the experiences, opportunities and spiritual formation I have received. Thank you especially to my Logos family.”
One Sam and Jen (blue tee’s centre) at the burial place of Fr J C Colin who signed the pledge and founded the Society of Mary. John Hannan (left) leads the Society today.
