b'that he build a church on that site, saying, It willstand from that moment until the end of time inorder that God may work miracles and wondersthrough my intercession for all those who place them-selves under my patronage.The Church of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragozais the first church dedicated to Mary. It remains stand-ing to this day. During the Spanish Civil War in the1930s, planes dropped three bombs on the church;the bombs crashed through the roof but didnt explode.The bombs are on display there as a reminder of theintercession of our God and Blessed Mother in honor-ing her pledge. The story of Our Lady of the Pillar goes beyondformal history and tradition, though. For the Marian-ists, it is about Blessed Father Chaminades experiencein Zaragoza at Our Lady of the Pillar. This is whatmakes OLP special to the Society of Mary. As a young priest in the late 1700s, Blessed Cham-inade experienced the pains of the French Revolution,which brought challenges to society and the CatholicChurch. The government tried to force the Church totake oaths of allegiance, and Blessed Chaminadesministry and life were threatened. For part of thisreign of terror, as historians call it, he was able toremain in hidden ministry to the people in his area.He risked his life to serve the people of God. Eventu-ally, he was placed on a list that threatened his life,so he fled France and lived as a refugee in Zaragoza.During his years in Spain, he spent many hours inprayer at the Church of Our Lady of the Pillar.That time in Spain helped shape his approach tolife. He strengthened his devotion to Our BlessedMother under the name of Our Lady of the Pillar.During this time of prayer, he received his inspiration You can see how this time of exile shaped Chami- Blessed Father William Josephto found the Society of Mary. What is unique for the nades vision of the Church and his approach to life Chaminade by Joseph Malham,print on styrofoam, 2006.Marianist Family is that the Lay Family was established and mission. This is something that we, the Society of Courtesy of the Marian Library,before both the female religious (Marianist Sisters) Mary, as part of the Marianist Family, continue to live University of Dayton.and the male religious (The Society of Mary). This is and implement. We have a dedication to workingdifferent from most other religious orders.with youth, a commitment to being equals in When he returned from exile, Blessed Chaminades ministry, and an approach focused on gathering approach to re-Christianizing France was to form people to work together to help serve and changesodalities, what we would now call faith-sharing our world. Its about the Marianist Family. groups. These groups brought together men and One of my original attractions to the Society ofwomen of different ages, cultures, abilities, talents, Marythat remains in place to this dayis theand occupations. These groups eventually felt a call idea of men gathering together to live in communityto put their faith into action and included serviceto serve Gods people and change the world. as part of their activities. Later, the Archbishop of Our Lady of the Pillar, pray for us! Bordeaux noted that many of the good works happen-ing in his diocese came from or were affiliated with Father Oscar Vasquez, SM, is provincial for the Marianistthese Marianist sodalities.Province of the U.S.marianist.com/donate5'