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Patrick Bearsley's retreat conferences These retreat conferences on major Marist themes, were delivered by Fr Patrick Bearsley sm. Mary the support of the Church The Society’s foundation is Mary telling us, “This is what I want,” and our responding, “Yes Mary, your wish is my command.” It’s that dynamic which will keep the Society alive and flourishing today. The beginning of the Society of Mary lies in Mary’s compassion for a suffering world. The Society began as a result of her initiative. Its origin therefore is an act of compassion on the part of Mary, the Mother of Mercy, for a torn and broken world. Fourviere - something that fits Fourviere represents our call from God and our response in terms of the decision to refashion, refound the Society in our generation. It’s the place where "we feel comfortable" but it is also our responsibility to recreate the experience for today. The experience of decision in vocation, Fourviere, was followed by a deeper experience, a mystical experience for Fr. Colin which is symbolized for us by his years at Cerdon. Bugey has now a symbolic significance. For us it symbolizes our call to mission. So often our problem is our evangelizing zeal. However we must first listen, we must first discern where people are at, stand with them and face the world and the Church from that point of view. Our poverty has to be conscious, deliberate and freely chosen. “Aware that it is easier to adapt to one’s surroundings than to remain faithful to the Gospel, they shall take care that their dwellings, possessions, and manner of life bring them closer to the poor. “I supported the Church as it was being born, and I will do so again at the end of time.” They are our founding words, The Society moves in that direction so to speak. They always served as an encouragement to us. Mary as foundress and superior therefore says more about how a superior should lead than it does about a religious obeying. The superior must lead with one ear open to what Mary might be asking and the other ear flapping for the voice of the world.
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