Marcellin Champagnat as our Model

81. Father Champagnat was alive with a zeal born of the Gospels and knew how to respond effectively to specific problems¹.

He felt himself called to form religious for the Christian education of little country children whom no one bothered about². He saw the mission of the Brother as helping children and young people to become good Christians and good citizens³. Being a man of faith, he believed that it was prayer above all that influenced the children to become gentle of heart. Good example and constant presence are other important elements of Marist pedagogy⁴, which Father Champagnat summarised thus: "To bring up a child properly, you must love him."⁵

As Marist Brothers, animated by the same zeal, we continue the charism of the Founder by responding to the expectations and needs of today's young people.