Champagnat Day Celebrated Across the Star of the Sea Province

maristbrothers
Jun 10
2 min read

Marists across the Star of the Sea Province came together to celebrate the Feast of Marcellin Champagnat, honouring the life and legacy of the founder of the Marist Brothers through prayer, community gatherings, and cultural celebrations.

Vanuatu

At St Michel Technical College in Santo, Vanuatu, the celebration began with a beautiful Eucharistic celebration led by the boarding students. The Mass was presided over by Fr Louis SM and provided an opportunity for the school community to reflect on the life and mission of Marcellin Champagnat.

Following the liturgy, students participated in a range of sporting activities that brought energy and excitement to the day. The celebrations concluded with the cutting of the Champagnat Day cake and a wonderful lunch shared by students, staff, and guests.

View more pics:

Solomon Islands

Students and staff at St Joseph’s School, Tenaru, marked the feast with a day of prayer, learning, and fellowship. The celebrations began with a Eucharistic Mass, followed by indoor games and recreational activities.

After lunch, students gathered to learn more about the life, vision, and spirituality of St Marcellin Champagnat, deepening their understanding of the Marist charism and its relevance in their own lives today.

View more pics:

Fiji

In Fiji, the Marist family gathered across several ministries, including Marist Brothers High School, Suva, the Marcellin Champagnat Institute, and the Champagnat Marist Centre of Ecology and Spirituality.

A special Feast Day Mass was celebrated at Lomeri, followed by a tree-planting initiative that reflected this year's focus on care for creation. Participants planted eight seedlings around Lomeri Primary School, leaving behind a living symbol of environmental stewardship.

The Marist family felt that while the participants would return to their respective schools, homes, and ministries carrying memories of the celebration, the plants would remain as a lasting gift to the school community.

View more pics:

Timor-Leste

In Timor-Leste, the feast was celebrated with great enthusiasm across several ministries.

At Colégio Marista Lautem, children marked the occasion with dancing, food, music, and festive activities.

Meanwhile, at the Instituto Católico para a Formação de Professores (ICFP), Brothers joined students and staff in the celebrations, which included a Champagnat Art Exhibition. Among the highlights were creative floral displays made from recycled plastic, a special nod to environmental sustainability.

View more pics:

Papua New Guinea and Autonomous Region of Bougainville

The Feast of St Marcellin Champagnat was celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm at the Brothers' community in Papua New Guinea. Meanwhile, the Marist community in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville came together for a day of prayer, fellowship, and shared meals, celebrating the spirit of family and camaraderie that lies at the heart of the Marist charism.