Marist Charism

Notre Dame des Victoires (NDV) is a uniquely Marist School.  The Marist Fathers & Brothers at NDV are part of a greater Marist family of priests, brothers, sisters, and lay groups.  Marists have a sense of being chosen and called by Mary to live compassionately and mercifully as she did as mother and disciple of Jesus.

The Society of Mary (Marists) was born on July 23, 1816, when twelve young men in Lyons, France, on the day after their ordination to the priesthood, walked up the steep hill of Fourviere to the Shrine of Our Lady and pledged their lives to the service of others in the spirit of Mary. They strove to work together for the greater glory of God and to also Honor Mary, Mother of the Lord Jesus.

From the Society of Mary’s inception, the vision was for an order that would include everyone: priests, sisters, brothers, and lay men and women. Today, the Marist family includes the Marist Brothers of the Schools, Marist Sisters, Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary, the Society of Mary (Fathers and Brothers), and lay Marists – Marist Laity, Marist Associates, and the Third Order of Mary.

All Marists are engaged in the “work of Mary” as understood by founder Jean-Claude Colin (1790-1875). In everything they do – and more, in the unassuming attitude they present – they reflect “the face of Mary” – to live, to pray, and to serve the Church and the world. In an effort to strengthen our school’s identity with a more Marist way of being, NDV offers teachers, parents and students opportunities to deepen their Marist values.

• Teachers are invited to participate in meetings and workshops with other Marist Schools.
• Parents and staff are encouraged to attend gatherings on Marist Spirituality offered once a month in the NDV rectory.
• Students are taught Marist characteristics throughout the year.  Marist Spirituality Week, once known as St. Peter Chanel week is celebrated the last week of April.  St. Peter Chanel was the first Marist martyr and an example of an individual who patterned his life after Mary.
• The school also has a chapel dedicated to St. Peter Chanel which is open to students at all times.
• The annual Mission Carnival is held each year on the school playground. All proceeds are sent to a Marist School, St. Joseph's, located in Parotonga, Figi.