SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 510
WHEREAS, The Society of Mary, a religious movement with a
long history in San Antonio, is celebrating 200 years of ministry
and service in 2017; and
WHEREAS, The society traces its origins to France at the
turn of the 19th century, when William Joseph Chaminade, a
diocesan priest who survived the persecution of Catholics during
the French Revolution, began forming small faith communities
known as sodalities; Father Chaminade and a group of sodalists
joined together to establish the Society of Mary on October 2,
1817, and pledged to carry out Mary's apostolic mission
throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, The Marianists spread across and beyond Europe
before arriving in the United States in 1849; the following year,
they founded St. Mary's School for Boys in Dayton, Ohio, which
would later become the University of Dayton; the organization has
remained deeply committed to education, and its members have
built numerous other Marianist schools in the United States,
including St. Mary's University and Central Catholic High School
in San Antonio; and
WHEREAS, The four United States Marianist provinces were
consolidated in 2002 to create the Marianist Province of the
United States; today, the province is composed of approximately
300 Marianist brothers and priests and sponsors or cosponsors 18
secondary schools, 3 universities, 4 retreat centers, 6 parishes,
and a variety of other ministries; and
WHEREAS, For two centuries, the followers of the Society of
Mary have committed themselves wholeheartedly to sharing their
faith and uplifting others, and it is indeed fitting to recognize
the profoundly significant mark that they have made in the lives
of countless Texans; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, hereby commemorate the bicentennial of the Society
of Mary and commend those Marianists who have served the people
of Texas with compassion and dedication; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
the society as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
Menéndez
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 27, 2017.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate