7. In other pastoral and social ministries (§.167-210)

We reach out to youth

167. Marcellin’s constant searching for the most effective way to reach out to young people is at the heart of his charism. His example inspires our creative intuitions and energies as Marist apostles. We seek to be the human face of Jesus in the midst of the young, wherever we find them.

168. Marcellin gathered the children for catechism classes. He went out to the hamlets himself and sent his Brothers out. He cared in a special way for those who were poor or orphaned, welcoming them into La Valla and the Hermitage, and doing everything he could for their well-being and education. ¹

169. Moved by the compelling needs and aspirations of today’s young people, especially those who are most deprived or disturbed, we seek to multiply our ways of entering into their lives and their world. ² With a missionary spirit, we are open to all young people irrespective of their faith background. We know we cannot walk the same path with each of them in our mission of evangelisation

170. We adopt a holistic vision of our mission within the context of each of our ministries. As brothers and sisters to the young, we are concerned for their total well-being. We accompany them in the way they relate to themselves, to others, to the world, and to God. ³

171. Our distinctive Marist approach characterises each of our activities and projects. ⁴ We are convinced of the educating value of quality relationships between ourselves and the young, and of the importance of being ourselves in their presence and their feeling at their ease with us. We are convinced, too, of the value of work and of working together, especially in situations where people are inclined to be passive or to give up. Such values are of particular importance in the sometimes unstructured settings of our ministry outside formal education. We begin from where they are.