Marist Vocation

Brothers Called to Educate, Accompany, and Inspire

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Who are the Marist Brothers

The Marist Brothers are an international congregation of lay consecrated men dedicated to making Jesus Christ known and loved through the education and evangelisation of young people, especially those most in need.

Founded by St Marcellin Champagnat in 1817, the Institute now includes over 2,500 Brothers in 80 countries. Marist Brothers serve as educators, youth ministers, counsellors, social workers, and missionaries - helping young people grow, thrive, and shape a better world.

Originally called the Little Brothers of Mary, the Congregation was approved by the Church in 1863 as the Fratres Maristae a Scholis (FMS) - the Marist Brothers of the Schools.

In the Star of the Sea Province, nearly 200 Brothers live in communities across 11 countries in the Asia-Pacific: Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Cambodia, Fiji, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea (including Bougainville), Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, and Vanuatu. Brothers from the Province also serve in ministries abroad, including Rome and the Philippines.

The General Headquarters is in Rome, led by Superior General Br Peter Carroll. Our Provincial is Br Darren Burge. More information about the Brothers and the wider Marist family can be found on this website.

What does it mean to be a Brother

To be a religious Brother is to follow Christ more deeply by living the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. As lay consecrated men, Brothers live in community, pray together, and witness to Jesus through loving service - especially to young people.

“Brother” captures the Marist way of relating: approachable, authentic, attentive, and respectful. Wherever we are missioned, we aim to build relationships that are simple, welcoming, compassionate, joyful, and kind. We seek to be brothers to all we meet.

The title Brother expresses both our vocation in the Church and our distinctive way of being present, especially to young people in need.

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The three main vows

Religious life is defined by the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. Through these vows - temporary or perpetual - a Brother freely dedicates his life to God and the Church, committing to follow Jesus in a wholehearted and radical way.

Chastity

Celibate chastity is a gift of love offered to God and the world. It only makes sense when rooted in a deep relationship with Jesus and a life of faith.

Poverty

The vow of poverty is not about living without, but about choosing simplicity. Brothers avoid excess so they can stay free, available, and responsive to the Gospel.

Obedience

Obedience means listening for God’s call through prayer and through the guidance of congregational leaders. Like Mary, Brothers say “yes” to placing their lives and gifts at the service of the Institute, ready to go wherever they are missioned.

How does it work?

The journey to becoming a Marist Brother starts with a single step, followed by six stages that shape and deepen your vocation

Aspirancy

A 6 - 24 month stage for those seriously exploring Marist Brotherhood. With guidance from the Vocations Team, an Aspirant meets regularly with a Brother, deepens personal and faith life, engages in service, and discerns readiness for Postulancy.

Postulancy

A 6 - 12 month experience of living in community, growing closer to Jesus, embracing Marist spirituality, and participating in prayer, study, ministry, and community life.

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Novitiate

An 18 - 24 month time of deep discernment and formal entry into the Institute. Novices pray, study Marist life, and grow in their identity as Brothers within an international formation community. This stage concludes with First Vows.

Ministry Experience

Throughout the initial stages, candidates engage in service with vulnerable groups, developing compassion, presence, and a deeper sense of mission.

Temporary Profession

Over 5–9 years, the Brother integrates community life, prayer, study (theology, education, youth ministry), and Marist apostolic work - first in formation communities, then in full-time ministry.