This year, 2026, is an abundant year for the Marianist Family. Across the United States and reaching as far as Bogotá, Colombia, the three branches of the Marianist Family in North America are gathering to pray, plan, and "forge the future." In this special preview episode, we hear from leaders from across the Family about the upcoming Marianist Family Congress, a Common Bond Reunion, the Society of Mary’s US Province Assembly, the Marianist Lay Community of North America’s Assembly, and the International Organization of Marianist Lay Communities’ Assembly, which are set to envision the next years of Marianist life.

From Marianist Sister Laura Leming’s vision of a "meeting of the minds" to Matt Dunn’s insights into how the Vatican is looking to Marianists as a model for the modern Church, this episode captures the "burning heart" of a community in motion. We explore the deep history of the Society of Mary in Dayton, Ohio, with Fr. John Thompson, SM; the joyful "family reunion" atmosphere of the MLC-NA with Rob Brodrick; and the enduring bonds of former members of the SM with Jim Martin.

What you’ll learn:

• How the Marianist Family Congress is creating a "synodal" space for lay and vowed members to envision the future together.
• The significance of the Society of Mary Assembly returning to its roots in Dayton for the first time.
• Why Natalia Imperatori-Lee’s perspective on Mary is a "game-changer" for how we understand community today.
• The unique "independent but equal" relationship the International Lay Community shares with the Vatican.

A transcript of this podcast episode is available here.

Links for further information:

• MLC-NA 2026 Assembly: https://www.mlcna.org/assembly/about
• Society of Mary: https://www.marianist.com/
• Common Bond: https://smcommonbond.org/x/staticPage.asp?postNo=31791
• International Organization of Marianist Lay Communities (IO-MLC): https://www.clm-mlc.org/

Follow the North American Center for Marianist Studies on Instagram and Facebook - @ThisIsNACMS.

Visit our website for access to all our resources, including e-publications, our bookstore, programming and more.

Recorded March 2026. Edited by Mike Bennett, Media Administrator for the North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS).

Theme song: “Travel Light” by Jason Shaw (used with permission via Creative Commons License; see more of his work at http://audionautix.com/)

Other ambient music from freesound.org.

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While history often focuses on the “visionary spark” of Father Chaminade, the Marianist charism was equally forged in the practical, gritty leadership of two remarkable women: Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon and Marie Thérèse de Lamourous. In this episode, Sr. Laura Leming, FMI, and Jessica González Uhlig return to discuss how these women embodied a “relational leadership” that still speaks to our modern world.

From the aristocratic châteaus to the streets of Bordeaux, Adèle and Marie Thérèse faced rampant illness, social condemnation, and meager resources. Rather than retreating, they engaged through “innovative accompaniment”—whether that meant rolling cigars to sustain a ministry or writing hundreds of letters to bridge the gap of isolation. Their story is a timeless model for anyone looking to lead with joy, purpose, and a “quiet revolution of love.”

What You’ll Learn:

• Practical Resourcefulness: How Marie Thérèse used “meager resources” and “boots-on-the-ground” tactics to meet urgent community needs.
• The “Patron Saint of Email”: Why Adèle’s 700+ letters are a nineteenth-century blueprint for using technology to build community and fight isolation.
• Leadership as Accompaniment: How to choose “accompaniment over judgment” in a polarized world.
• The Power of the Pause: Lessons from Adèle on self-care, mindfulness, and the “Examen” in the midst of a crisis.

Follow the North American Center for Marianist Studies on Instagram and Facebook - @ThisIsNACMS.

Visit our website for access to all our resources, including e-publications, our bookstore, programming and more.

Recorded December 3, 2025. Edited by Mike Bennett, Media Administrator for the North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS).

Theme song: “Travel Light” by Jason Shaw (used with permission via Creative Commons License; see more of his work at http://audionautix.com/)

Other ambient music from freesound.org.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While Father William Joseph Chaminade provided the visionary spark for the Marianists, the full story comes to life through the incredible partnership he shared with two remarkable women. In this episode, Sr. Laura Leming, FMI, and Jessica Gonzaléz Uhlig discuss the foundational partnership between Father Chaminade, Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon, and Marie Thérèse de Lamourous.

Sr. Laura and Jessica explore how these three distinct individuals—a visionary priest, a teenage aristocrat with a "flair for the dramatic," and a fearless woman who went undercover during the Reign of Terror—came together to form the Marianist Family. Whether you are a student looking for a path of authenticity or a leader navigating complex collaborations, the "Head, Heart, and Hands" framework these individuals embody provides a timeless model for service and community.

In this episode, Jessica and Sr. Laura discuss:

• Adèle’s transition from living in a wealthy château to a life of radical poverty at age 18,
• Marie Thérèse’s "boots on the ground" leadership at the Miséricorde,
• The nineteenth-century "mentorship" between Father Chaminade and these two dynamic women,
• Practical tips for finding grace in modern-day group projects and collaborations.

Follow the North American Center for Marianist Studies on Instagram and Facebook - @ThisIsNACMS.

Visit our website for access to all our resources, including e-publications, our bookstore, programming and more.

Recorded 3 December 2025. Edited by Mike Bennett, Media Administrator for the North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS).

Theme song: “Travel Light” by Jason Shaw (used with permission via Creative Commons License; see more of his work at http://audionautix.com/)

Other ambient music from freesound.org.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.