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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, St. Mary's University in San Antonio is marking the |
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bicentennial of the Society of Mary on April 1, 2017; and |
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WHEREAS, In the wake of the French Revolution, Father William |
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Joseph Chaminade, a diocesan priest, returned from exile in Spain |
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and began forming small faith communities under the patronage of |
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the Blessed Mother; membership in the early Marianist Lay |
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Communities reached nearly 1,000 by 1809, and in 1816, Father |
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Chaminade supported Adéle de Batz de Trenquelléon in the |
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establishment of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate, now known as the |
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Marianist Sisters; the following year, the Society of Mary was |
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created under his direction; and |
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WHEREAS, With a profound commitment to education, the |
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Marianists expanded through Europe and beyond, reaching America in |
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1849; four brothers from the order traveled to San Antonio by |
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stagecoach, and in 1852 they founded St. Mary's Institute to |
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promote the ideals of academic excellence, ethical commitment, and |
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service to the community; today, that same devotion to faith, |
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learning, and philanthropy continues to inform the successor |
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institutions, St. Mary's University and Central Catholic High |
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School; and |
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WHEREAS, The Society of Mary has worked since its inception |
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to develop scholarship, leadership, and strong moral character, and |
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this historic milestone provides a welcome opportunity to recognize |
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the Marianists for their positive impact on the lives of many |
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generations of Texans; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the bicentennial of the Society of |
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Mary and extend to all those participating in the observance at |
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St. Mary's University sincere best wishes for a memorable and |
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meaningful event; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the Society of Mary as an expression of high regard by |
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the Texas House of Representatives. |