Marianist family in Ivory Coast celebrates 200 years

Marianists in Ivory Coast recently celebrated 200 years of their foundation with Holy Mass and festivities at the National Marian Shrine of Abidjan, Attécoubé.

Marianists are a worldwide family of Catholic religious sisters, priests, brothers and committed lay persons. The Daughters of Mary Immaculate and the Marianist lay community were founded in France in 1816 by Venerable Adela de Batz de Trenquelléon while Blessed William Joseph Chaminade similarly founded the Society of Mary with brothers and priests, a year later in 1817.

In Ivory Coast, Fr. Georges Gbézé presided over the Marian celebrations at a colourful Eucharist attended by many members of this big Marian religious family.

At the celebrations, the sisters, priests and lay persons of Ivory Coast pledged to use the occasion to recommit themselves to their calling. They noted that the bicentennial celebration was a milestone that marked yet a new beginning in their mission entrusted them by Christ through their founders.

(Email: engafrica@vatiradio.va)