Annual Teacher Pilgrimage to L’Hermitage

A Journey to L’Hermitage

Embracing the Marist Spirit

Mr Kevin Meaney - Marian College

In March, I had the privilege of visiting L’Hermitage. It was a deeply enriching experience that offered a profound insight into the global Marist community. Myself and my colleague Gearoid Sheedy represented Marian College and joined teachers from Moyle Park College and Marist College Athlone from Ireland as well as Marist schools from Scotland and Germany.

The gathering was a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas, share stories and reflect on our shared values. It quickly became evident that the Marist ethos is alive and thriving in each of our schools. Despite our different contexts, we found common ground in our commitment to nurturing students through the lens of the Marist Values.

One of the standout moments of the trip was our visit to Le Rosey Chapel, where the Marist Brothers hosted a beautiful lunch. The Marist Value of Family Spirit was palpable as we connected over stories, traditions and culture. The hospitality of the brothers was heart-warming and they were incredibly generous with their time and energy all weekend.

As the weekend came to a close, I found myself reflecting on how closely our aspirations for students in Marian College align with the vision of Marcellin Champagnat. His passion for education and care for young people continues to inspire and guide us today.

Gearoid and I are deeply grateful for the experience. We extend our sincere thanks to Brother PJ, Leigh Ellis and Maria Rauscher for organising such a meaningful trip. We also want to acknowledge Kym Doyle in Marian College for her dedication to the Marist Leaders Programme and her ongoing efforts to promote Marist Initiatives within our school.

This journey was not only educational but also deeply inspiring. I would highly recommend it to any teacher interested in exploring the roots of Marist Education and connecting with the wider Marist family around the world.