Roma, 1 April 2005

Message to all members of the Society of Mary

Dear Brothers,

We are at one with all fellow Christians at this sad and important moment of the death of Our Holy Father Pope John Paul II. We are deeply grateful for his service to the Church and to the men and women of our time. We are inspired by his commitment to a new evangelization, as well as by his contribution in favor of peace, development and human rights.

As Marianists, we are especially thankful for his recognition and proclamation of our Founder and our martyrs as models of Christian holiness.

We pray to the Lord and the Virgin Mary for him. At the end of a long life of service, we are confident that the heavenly Father has welcomed him into His presence.

At the same time, we pray especially for the Church, for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the choice of new leadership for the years ahead. Already now we pray for the new Pope and for his mission, and we pledge to him our fidelity and collaboration.

Let us pray for the Church at this time through the intercession of our Blessed Founder, Father Chaminade, who taught us to love the Church without reserve and to offer the witness of a Marian style of simplicity, gentleness and solidarity, including everyone in our desire to form persons and communities in apostolic faith.