The Hermitage Newsletter: Advent '25 Issue

Greetings from the Hermitage! What a month it has been for Marists! Beginning with the legacy of the Founder of the Marist Brothers, St Marcellin Champagnat. On 9 October Pope Leo XIV released his first Apostolic Exhortation, “Dilexi Te” ("I Have Loved You"), where he referenced St Marcellin as a model for serving the poor through education. This document, commenced by Pope Francis and completed by Pope Leo, focuses on love for the poor, and it mentions how Champagnat dedicated himself to educating and evangelizing children and young people, especially the most vulnerable. It highlights his dedication to these young people who were often overlooked, a mission that those involved in Marist education continue today. We thank God for the initiative, vision and faith of St Marcellin which has inspired so many over the past two hundred years and opened up educational opportunities for countless young people. Earlier in the month we received some truly historic news. As the General Chapter of the Marist Brothers – a series of high-level meetings held every 8 years - was coming to a close in the Philippines, it was announced that our own Br Peter Carroll, Provincial of the Star of the Sea Province, had been elected as the new Superior-General. Br Peter hails from Brisbane and has held significant positions within the Province and has also been a principal in 3 Marist schools in Australia. Continue reading at this link: October Hermitage Newsletter 2025 

Greetings from the Hermitage! Welcome to springtime in the Highlands and it could not be more fitting that as I write this newsletter, we are in the middle of our annual Spring Retreat. With Dr Sally Longley guiding us, we are praying our way through the four seasons of nature and of our spiritual lives, culminating in the promise of new life that is harnessed with the coming of Spring. This time of the year is beautiful in the Southern Highlands as the leaves return, the grass grows and the flowers bloom. This is good for our hearts and particularly good for our souls. We slowly peel back the layers of clothing and venture into the outdoors to view the new life emerging and smell the fragrances that fill the air. But of course, we don’t forget how we arrived here. Since the fruits of summer, both in the physical reality and metaphorically, there have been seasonal changes. First there was the spectacular autumnal changes of colour before a movement towards dying off - a ‘letting go’ of unnecessary embellishments. Then came the winter bunkering down which, this year anyway, seemed particularly bleak at times. But now, from the dying off, signs of new life are sprouting everywhere. Alleluia!   Continue reading at this link:September Hermitage Newsletter 2025.pdf

From the Provincial  Dear Friends Greetings from Tagaytay in the hills outside Manila, the Philippines. Here, Brothers and Marist lay womenand men have gathered for the 23rd General Chapterof the Institute of the Marist Brothers. General Chapters are held every eight years andhave responsibility for reviewing and renewing theInstitute and electing its leaders. During the weeks ahead, the assembled delegates will,among other things, explore mission and ministry.We will undoubtedly confront the question:“What are the urgent, unmet needs of young people in theworld and Church that we Marists can help meet?”.   Click here to continue reading: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:AP:b62fe378-9230-4024-9390-b1a3d92c980d