Marian Helper Summer 2013

G rowing up, I played a lot of sports. My mom would drive my brother and me from one practice to another, one game to another, one tournament to another. And I loved it. Why? What’s so satisfying about playing sports? Of course, there’s the exhilaration of competition, the glory of victory, and the refreshment of the exercise. More recently, though, I’m beginning to appreciate that perhaps the greatest joy of all has to do with being part of a team. Now that I’ve been the director of the Association of Marian Helpers here in Stockbridge, Mass., for about two-and-a-half years, I can honestly say that I’ve never been so happy in my life. I can also say I’ve never worked so hard. But that’s where the joy comes in: There’s nothing like working on a team, with a team, and as a team for Christ and the Church. And that’s what I’ve been able to do here, thanks to the vision of Blessed George Matulaitis, the Renovator of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. Blessed George was way ahead of his time. In the early 1900s, when many people would say that Catholic laity were just called to “pay, pray, and obey,” Father Renovator was inviting laymen and women to join him and the Marians in their work. In a time when laypeo- ple thought that only priests were called to spread the Gospel, Blessed George was inspiring the laity to bring Christ to those places where the priest’s words could not reach. In a time when voca- tions to the priesthood were plentiful, Blessed George was nevertheless talking about the need for laypeople to collaborate with the clergy for the salvation of souls. For the Marians, this innovative vision of Blessed George (a vision that would later be confirmed by the teachings of Vatican II) has borne tremendous fruit. For example, here in the United States, where the Marian community is extremely small compared to other religious orders like the Jesuits or Dominicans, the Marians have made a huge impact, particularly by spreading the message of Divine Mercy. In fact, I often hear some of the older priests in my community reflect with humility and gratitude that God has used us to do so much with so few. But we’re really not so few. Why? Again, because Marian priests, brothers, and seminar- ians are not the only ones on this team. Laymen and women swell our ranks, making the Marian family a massive force for good. Let me give you a concrete example. I said I’ve loved spending these past few years working on Eden Hill as part of a team. Of course, key members of this team are my fellow Marians. But the majority of my teammates here are laypeople. In the office where I work, it’s mostly laypeople. Our behind-the- scenes staff and volunteers are mostly laypeople. Finally, so much of our spiritual support and nearly all of our financial means come from laypeople. This is beautiful. It’s exactly what Blessed George envisioned for the Marian community. After all, it was this holy priest who expressed that it is with laypeople and through laypeople that the Marians would be able “to bring Christ everywhere, to restore and renew all things in Christ, to encompass all for Christ, to win all for Christ, to attract all to Christ” ( Journal of George Matulaitis , p. 32). And that’s what’s been happening. In this issue, you’ll learn more about the Marians’ work with laypeople yesterday, today, and tomorrow. As you read these pages, I pray that you’ll find the same joy I have, the joy of being part of a team that’s not out to win games but souls. May your prayers and sacri- fices continue to make our team spiritually victorious for the greater glory of God. Wr i t e s Father Joseph “Father Joseph, MIC,” is the honorary title of the director of the Association of Marian Helpers. The current director is Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC. Teaming up with the laity 4 M ARIAN H ELPER • S UMMER 2013 • www.marian.org Back to Index