The Marist Family is made up of the Marist Brothers, Marist Sisters, Marist Fathers and Brothers, Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary and Marist Laity.

The school was divided into four houses named after the founders of the 4 religious congregations in the Marist Family.

They were St Marcellin Champagnat founder of the Marist Brothers; Fr. Jean Claude Colin founder of the Marist Fathers and Brothers; Sister Jeanne Marie Chavoin of the Marist Sisters; and Marie Francoise Perroton, founder of the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary.

School Principal, Sr. Masela Tenisio said being the last day of this school term, they wanted to highlight the significance of the upcoming celebration.

Each house performed songs, dramas and items highlighting the history and the work of the Marist family.

What happened 200 years ago?

The Marist Family was formed on the 23rd July 1816 in Lyon France at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fourvière. Four diocesan priests and eight seminarians pledged themselves to found a congregational bearing the name of Mary.

St. Marcellin Champagnat, founder of the Marist Brothers, and Fr Jean Claude Colin, Founder of the Society of Mary, were among those who worked to carry out this promise. They were convinced that they were responding to a wish of the Mother of Mercy.

Sr. Masela said the 200 year anniversary would be a big celebration not only in Samoa but also around the world because the Marist family is a global one.

The main celebration will be held on Saturday 23 July, which will include a mass at the Mulivai Cathedral, entertainment, and a feast at the Tuutuu i le Loloto Hall.

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• sobserver.ws
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Bishop Peter Brown from American Samoa was the principal celebrant.

Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi addressed the crowd.

"On Tuesday last week when the SMSM committee invited me to say something today, I meditated and prayed for the occasion," he said.

His Highness Tui Atua, who is a Marist Old Boy, said he has been thinking of a theme to speak on but when he attended an event held at Vailima, he then understood its meaning.

"When the choir sang ‘who shall I see' I whisper to myself, that is God speaking...the story of Marist and St. Mary's missionary is a story of glory."

On Wednesday there was a procession from the Marist Primary School to the Government Buildings.

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• Samoa Observer

The new cathedral was officially blessed and the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary (SMSM sisters) are celebrating 150 years of service in Samoa.

Past pupils came from around the world to participate in yesterday's Independence Day parade.

The history of the S.M.S.M dates back to 1864 in June when two French nuns, Sister M de la Merci and Sr. Rose arrived in Samoa on 6 June and started a school in Savalalo.

The school started with only 12 girls but it now has a roll of more than six hundred students.

In 1923, the SMSM sisters started the secondary school at Savalalo as a business and commercial school. It was the first school in the country that had a class above form 2.

The celebrations also saw a service at the newly-built Catholic cathedral at Mulivai, where the Ola Toe Fuata'ina choir from Tafaigata prison sang.

The cathedral was officially opened on Saturday. The Masiofo, Her Highness Filifilia Tamasese was given the honour of cutting the ribbon.

Leading carpenter, Father Ricky Bernard then presented the keys to Archbishop Alapati Lui Mataeliga, whom in return thanked him for the magnificent project.

Source

• Radio New Zealand International
• Samoa Observer
• Samoa Observer
• Samoa Observer
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