b'ThatsLIFEMarianist Living In Faith Experienceprogram evangelizes young people todayas sodalities did in the pastBy Dave LueckingThe Marianist Living In Faith Experience (LIFE)program harkens to the sodalities formed byBlessed William Joseph Chaminade and VenerableMarie Thrse Charlotte de Lamourous in the early 1800s.Those sodalitiessmall, faith-based communitiesof lay people designed to re-evangelize France afterthe French Revolutionlaid the foundation for theDaughters of Mary Immaculate in 1816 and the Societyof Mary in 1817.Without them, the Marianist Family of laity, religioussisters, brothers, and priests might not have come intoexistence, let alone survive more than two centurieslater. But Chaminades vision worked out quitenicely, thank you, and the LIFE program continues thelegacy today, forming small, faith-based communitiesto evangelize young people at high schools acrossthe country. Initiated in 1970, LIFE has a long track record ofsuccess, including lifelong friendships and weddings,with families having children who have grown up tobe so-called LIFErs themselves. About 25 schools andparishes nationwideMarianist and non-Marianistalikeconsistently attend LIFEs summer programs,according to national LIFE Coordinator Erica Duarte.PHOTO BY SID HASTINGSSt. Vincent-St. Mary High School student Elizabeth Schlueter par-ticipates in the schools Founders Day Mass, which honored thefounders of the Marianist Family, on Jan. 23 in Akron, Ohio.marianist.com/donate 15'