Recently, a newly fashioned bronze cross was given to each Marist Brother to wear as a symbol of our common identity around the world. The cross marks our foundation in France by our original French title, Petit Freres de Marie (Little Brothers of Mary.) In the center of the cross is an “M” for “Mary,” patroness of our community. The M is unique because it mimics a young person’s handwriting, reminding us of our mission with youth. On the back are six small nail heads, highlighting the efforts of the first Brothers who had to fabricate nails to sustain the original community.

When religious communities were founded, it was customary to adopt a uniform wardrobe, commonly known as a religious habit. As a result of Vatican Council II, many communities modified their traditional habit to better identify with the people they served. In our community, the familiar Marist habit – a black cassock, black cord, cross and white collar (Rabat) – was made optional in the late 1960’s. So today it is not unusual to find many Marist Brothers in ministry wearing contemporary clothes, while others continue to wear the traditional habit, and still others wear the Brother’s shirt with a white collar.