MM 50 Years Ago

Marist Third Order
The Very Rev Father General reported to the Marist General Chapter in October that the total Third Order membership was 15,394 in 231 groups. Eight years ago there were more members, 18,226, but only 192 groups.
The present lower figures can well be due to the fact that the old rolls have now been “purged” of deceased or nominal members, but the fact remains that fewer younger members are persevering.
New Zealand is second, after Boston, in numbers, which reflects great credit on many Fathers now deceased, because the T.O. began here less than 50 years ago. ...
On January 1, the number of all who follow the Marist way ... were: Marist teaching Brothers, 9,369; Marist Fathers and Brothers, 2,262; Marist Missionary Sisters, 844; Marist Sisters, 756; making with the Third Order, a total of 28,625.

R.I.P.
“Very much aware of the bonds linking the whole Mystical Body of Christ, the pilgrim Church from the very first ages of the Christian religion has cultivated with great piety the memory of the dead. Because it is ‘a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from sins’, she has also offered prayers for them” Vatican Council II. 

November 1969