We are called the Marist “Omnes Gentes” Community, Samsun Turkey. It is a combined religious work of the Society of Mary (Marist Fathers) and the Marist Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary (SMSM). The name Omnes Gentes is taken from the Papal brief “Omnium Gentium Salus” which approved the priests of the Society of Mary as a religious congregation on the 29th of April 1836. Society of Mary (Marist Fathers) A religious congregation of the Catholic Church: The Society of Mary is a worldwide congregation of baptized Christian men: priests and brothers, heeding the invitation of Jesus to leave all things and follow him. The members of the Society choose to live in small fraternal communities and consecrate all that they are and have to the service of the Gospel wherever they may be sent in the name of the mission entrusted to them. The lives of Marists are governed by their fundamental charter, the Constitutions – a rule of life approved by the Holy See as an authentic way of living the Christian life. Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary (SMSM) We are christian women coming from all over the globe to participate in the evangelisation by "missionary presence, by living and proclaiming the Gospel, by apostolic service" (SMSM Constitution 14) Religious Vows Marist religious are committed to the Society of Mary by their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. The serious commitment of the vows helps Marists to live as disciples of Jesus, and give concrete witness to a new world initiated by the risen Jesus. Prayer Marist, who strive to follow the example of Mary, have an added incentive to pray, for Mary was a woman of prayer. She pondered on life’s events in her heart and, as a member of the first Christian community joined with the apostles in prayer. The founder, Fr Jean-Claude Colin, encouraged Marists to be “men of prayer”, learning in prayer to “taste God”. Community Life Community life is important for Marists. Their founder wanted them to start renewing the Church in and through their own communities. Their only model should be the community of first believers of Jerusalem. Identification with Mary The key to understanding a Marist’s unique relationship with Mary is not found in any particular devotion or act of piety, even though these are important. The relationship between Mary and a Marist exists at a much deeper and more profound level. Marists identify with Mary. This reality is summed up for Marists by Jean Claude Colin in the following way: “So they must think as Mary, judge as Mary, feel and act as Mary in all things…” – www.maristsm.org Superiori maggiori: P. John Larsen SM Email: john.larsen@maristsm.org Curia provinciale: Indirizzo: Villa Santa Maria, Via Alessandro Poerio, 63 00152 Roma, Italia.Telefono: +39 06 589 90 41 Christina Giustozzi email: scristinasmsm@gmail.com supgeneralesmsm@gmail.com ADDRESS: Via Cassia, 1243, 00189 Roma RM, Italy