The Auxiliary Bishop of Bamenda Archdiocese, His Lordship Agapitus Nfon, has called on Marist Brothers to open up and extend a generous hand of invitation to more young men to increase their numbers because the Church needs their services.

He was speaking in the Mankon Cathedral recently while celebrating a Holy Mass to launch activities marking 50 years of the presence of Marist Brothers in Cameroon under the theme: “Journeying in Faith and Hope”. Among several things, Bishop Agapitus noted that from the small number of Marist Brothers in Cameroon it is clear that they are not interested in quantity but in quality.

He gave a life account of the founder of the Marist Brothers, St. Marcellin Champagnat, after which he praised the Brothers for their numerous good works for the people of God since they came to Cameroon. As they were about to open their Jubilee Year, Mgr. Agapitus told the Brothers that “-- this is a moment for reflection, soul searching; a time to note perhaps with regrets, that there have also been failures and to see how to forge ahead through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.”

He noted that it is also a time of grace as he urged the Brothers to avoid apportioning blame on each other because of past failures, but to rather understand that success comes by God’s Grace. He therefore urged them to pray for the grace to do what is right. The Bishop later told past and present Marist Brother students to consider themselves fortunate to be groomed by the Brothers. Bishop Agapitus then enjoined all present to pray that these students be consecrated in the truth about God so that they can serve as a panacea to the falsehood and corruption in society.

Nine priests concelebrated the heavily-attended Mass whose liturgy the students of St. Joseph’s Comprehensive College, Mbengwi, St. Albert’s College Bafut and St. Pius X College, Tatum, led. Also present were parents, staff, students and ex-students of the afore-mentioned colleges plus ex-students of Sacred Heart College, Mankon. A host of Religious Men and Women from other congregations also turned out for the launching.

The representative of the Marist Brothers’ District Superior in Cameroon, Rev. Br. Ivo Njongai, said the peak celebration will take place on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at St. Albert’s Comprehensive College, Bafut. Activities to be carried out during this one-year jubilee period shall include the formation of Lay Marists, students and teachers working in their schools, the creation of Marist Youth Groups in the dioceses where the Marist Brothers are working, sports activities among staff and students of Marist Brothers run schools, social/cultural evenings that will have quizzes on the life and work of St. Marcellin Champagnat and others.

However, the celebration of 50 years of the Marist presence in Cameroon is above all, an occasion for them to re-dedicate themselves and resolve to take a leap forward in promoting the Marist vocation and mission and to go with Mary to new lands.

History of the Marist Brothers On January 2, 1817, a priest from France, St. Marcellin Champagnat, founded the Marist Brothers, under the name Little Brothers of Mary. It is an international community of Catholic Religious Institute of Brothers with the goal of educating people, especially the young and the most neglected.

He saw it as forming a branch of the society of Mary as there are four branches: Marist Fathers, Marist Brothers, Marist Sisters and Marist Missionary Sisters. In 1863, the Holy See approved them as an autonomous institute of pontifical right. While respecting the original name, it took the title of Marist Brothers of the Schools (FMS – Fratres Maristae a Scholis). They live in community and follow Jesus, the way Mary did. While most of the Brothers minister in schools, others work with young people in parishes, religious retreats and spiritual accompaniment, risk youth settings, young adult ministry and overseas missions.

The Marist Brothers came to Cameroon from Great Britain and Canada in 1965. While those from Great Britain took over the running of Sacred Heart College, Mankon in Bamenda Archdiocese and administered the college for 27 years, those from Canada took over the administration of College Stoll, Akono in Yaoundé Archdiocese.

Of the 33 Cameroonian Marist Brothers, seven (7) are studying at Marist International University College, Nairobi – Kenya, one is working in the same university college, one is studying in Lebanon and another in Rome – Italy, while five ( 5); including the District Superior, are serving as Missionaries in Ghana and one as a Missionary in Ivory Coast. The rest live and work mainly in the education field in Kumbo Diocese and Bamenda Archdiocese.

There are more than 3500 Marist Brothers in 79 countries (16 in Africa) on 5 continents. They directly share their mission and spirituality with more than 72,000 lay people and together they are educating close to 654,000 children and young people.