b'MEAs FILL CRITICAL NEEDLay educators commit to Marianist Charism. Keeping the charism alive MEAs formationBrother Tom Giardino calls the Marianist Educational Associate MEAs are lay faculty, administrators and staff at their respective(MEA) program a key component in the continuation of the Marianist-sponsored university who partner with vowed MarianistsMarianist Charism in higher education. to strengthen the universitys Catholic and Marianist mission andFewer vowed religious translates to fewer vowed religious educa- identity. In short, they embrace the gift of the Marianist Charismtors; hence, the importance of formed and committed lay educators on their personal and professional journeys.to maintain the educational charism. The three Marianist-sponsored universities have a total of 162If the Marianist Educational Charism is going to continue, then MEAs, with groups of cohorts formed in 16 of the 17 years since thethe majority of the leadership is going to be lay educators, said programs genesis in 2005. (COVID-19 eliminated formation in 2020.)Bro. Giardino, the executive director of the Association of Marianist MEAs receive an intensive five-day formation, typically in JuneUniversities (AMU), who oversees the MEA each year, with formation continuing with cohorts at each of theprogram. MEAs are a critical part of that. three universities.Lay leadership harkens to the early There are five core commitments for all MEAs, as per MEA Guidelines: 1800s, even before Blessed William JosephMEAs are a professional presence on campus and promote theChaminade founded the Society of Mary Catholic and Marianist mission and identity at their university.in 1817. Starting in 1800, ChaminadeandThey commit to ongoing learning about the Catholic and Marianistlater collaborator Venerable Marie Thrse traditions in higher education.Charlotte de Lamourousformed small faithThey pledge to challenge and support other MEAs in givingcommunities of laity, better known as sodalities. With Blessed witness to the Catholic and Marianist traditions of education.Chaminades support, Blessed Adle de Batz de TrenquellonThey read the signs of the times and apply Catholic and founded the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (Marianist Sisters)Marianist traditions in forging responses to these signs.in 1816. The Society of Mary joined the family the following year.They make public affirmation to live their commitments as MEAs.At Blessed Chaminades beatification in 2000, Saint Pope John For more information about Marianist Educational Associates,Paul II called him, appropriately, The Apostle of the Laity. visit https://marianistuniversities.org/programs. Dave LueckingMEAs BY THE NUMBERSSt. Marys UniversityChaminade University of Dayton University85 104 116STUDENTSSTUDENTSSTUDENTS PER MEA PER MEA PER MEA10 Call 1.800.348.4732'