Marianist Studies: Social JusticeCourse Level: Intermediate

Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, faced with a Church and a social order that had been torn asunder during the French Revolution, fashioned a vision for rebuilding both the Church and French society. Chaminade challenged his followers to "think big" in defining their mission. He called them to participate in creating a community of communities (a network that today we call the Marianist Family), which would be the vehicle for "multiplying Christians" throughout France.

Today, 200 years later, we live in a very different world, yet one in which many people believe both Church and society are in need of renewal and revitalization. In light of contemporary challenges, how can we tap into Chaminade's original vision for making positive change? This course will help participants consider ways that they can be involved in promoting changes that will build a more authentic and credible Church community and social order. They will be challenged to integrate the insights of Chaminade with the realities of modern life in envisioning a Marianist approach to social change for the 21st century.

Successful completion of this course earns 2.5 CEU's. Click here for more information about CEU's.

• Understand Chaminade’s vision and strategies for changing social and Church structures to create a more fully Christian social order.
• Learn about some of the ways Marianists have interpreted and lived out Chaminade’s vision.
• Understand what might be demanded of Marianists today who want to be true to Chaminade’s inspiration and be effective in addressing the needs of our Church and society.
• Develop an awareness of the personal skills, attitudes and values each individual might be called to nurture to more fully live out Chaminade’s vision in building a better Church and world.

• No books required. All readings are online.

• Week 1: Chaminade: Shaping a New Vision for a Christian Response to the Challenges of the Social Order
  • To understand how the situation that Father Chaminade faced in the Church and French society influenced his approach to mission.
  • To understand how and why Chaminade developed a new approach to mission within the context of the Church and society in which he lived.
• Week 2: The Marianist Approach to Mission—Changes and Developments after Chaminade
  • To appreciate how the apostolic vision of Chaminade was adapted and developed after his death.
  • To understand the link between Chaminade’s vision and our call as Marianists to build a more just social order.
• Week 3: Chaminade’s Vision – What is Needed (Skills, Knowledge, Attitudes, Values, etc.) in Our Time for it to Work?
  • To understand how contemporary Marianists interpreted the call of individual Marianists and Marianist communities to change our world.
  • To be able to identify the skills, qualities and attitudes that are important to those involved in the Marianist mission today.
• Week 4: Living out a Marianist Mission Today: Case Studies
  • To appreciate a variety of ways that individual Marianists and Marianist communities have responded to the call to change our world.
  • To understand how Chaminade’s apostolic vision is embodied by Marianists today.
• Week 5: Reflecting on Our Call as Marianists Today
  • To understand the demands that social justice makes on Christians today.
  • To see ways that Marianists are called to respond to the needs of our society.