Blessed William Joseph Chaminade
Taught Us to Live in Community.
When we celebrate a birthday, we don't just remember the day when someone was born. We celebrate the person.
From Jan. 22, 2011, to Jan. 22, 2012, we celebrated Blessed William Joseph Chaminade's birthday because his life and vision continue to inspire people from all walks of life to work together to create change that makes a real difference in our world.
Chaminade founded the Society of Mary and the larger Marianist family. The Marianists, in turn, founded the University of Dayton in 1850. Blessed Chaminade wanted to create faith communities that made the Gospel alive in every age. He believed that people should not only believe in the kingdom of God — a kingdom of justice, love, and peace — but also live the Gospel message so that it is visible to people of every age.
Chaminade's vision will always inspire the University of Dayton.
365 Days. 250 Years of Leadership.
Chaminade's Legacy Continues to Inspire a Modern Catholic University.
Chaminade Year Events
Jan. 10, 2011 - Feast of Venerable Adele - Celebration Mass in the Immaculate Conception Chapel. Reception in Kennedy Union Torch Lounge.
Jan. 22, 2011 - Chaminade Day Mass and Reception - The Marianist Family around the world began a yearlong celebration of the 250th anniversary of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade's birth. The Marianist Family of the Dayton/Cincinnati area gathered to celebrate the Eucharist in the RecPlex at the University of Dayton. Photos: Visit our Facebook page >>
Jan. 24, 2011 - Blessed Chaminade Banner Dedication - Kennedy Union Lobby with a reception in the Barrett Dining Room.
Jan. 27, 2011 - Founders' Dinner - A Marianist Heritage Celebration held in the Kennedy Union Ballroom.
Feb. 5-March 6, 2011 - A Chaminade Tribute: An Exhibit of Marianist Artists in the Dayton Area - Roesch Library Gallery, First Floor. Marianists in the Dayton area presented a display of two- and three-dimensional art. The Marianists' art graced the campus with mosaics, glass etchings, paintings, altars, stained glass, photography and sculpture. These served as witnesses to the Marianist commitment to developing the whole person. In a world where wealth and material success are regarded by many as the only measure of progress, the Marianists find the words of Dostoyevsky still relevant: "The world will be saved by beauty."
Feb. 7, 2011 - Marianist Heritage Lecture - The Rev. Martin Solma, S.M., provincial of the Marianist Province of the United States, spoke in the Kennedy Union East Ballroom.
Feb. 25, 2011 - Lackner Award Dinner - A Marianist Heritage Celebration held in the Kennedy Union Ballroom.
March 11, 2011 - Maureen O'Rourke Marianist Student Award held in the Presidential Suite.
April 7, 2011 - Vigil Celebrating the Life of Blessed Chaminade - The vigil began in the Immaculate Conception Chapel and a candlelight procession to Marycrest Hall for Eucharist in Our Lady of the Pillar Chapel followed. The vigil recalled the inspiration Blessed Chaminade received in Saragossa to create the Marianist family. More Info: Visit the event's Facebook page >>
April 8, 2011 - Chaminade's Birthday - The University of Dayton celebrated with a special liturgy and lots of birthday cake. The Most Rev. Dennis Schnurr, archbishop of Cincinnati, presided in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, followed by a reception in Kennedy Union and birthday cake in all the residence halls.
September 2011 - Marianist Award Lecture
Nov. 12, 2011 - Empowered by Baptism: The Mission of the Laity Today - A conference for the laity built on the foresight of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, who recognized the laity as a fulcrum to help move the modern world. The conference was open to all in the archdiocese of Cincinnati and beyond, including alumni, faculty, staff and students.
One Day. One Question.
How Do We Empower the Laity?
"Empowered by Baptism: The Mission of the Laity Today"
Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011
Blessed William Joseph Chaminade saw in the laity a hope for a revived Catholic church in his time of political and social turmoil. As we celebrated Chaminade Year, the 250th anniversary of the birth of the founder of the Society of Mary, we called together the laity who continue to energize our religion, our mission and our world. The conference explored the mission of the laity today.
The conference featured a keynote presentation by Bishop Matthew Clark, bishop of Rochester, N.Y., and author of Forward in Hope: Saying AMEN to Lay Ecclesial Ministry.
When Blessed Chaminade was beatified in 2000, Pope John Paul II recognized his commitment to empower the laity in the church:
"The beatification during Jubilee Year of William Joseph Chaminade, founder of the Marianists, reminds the faithful that it is their task to find ever new ways of bearing witness to the faith, especially in order to reach those who are far from the Church and who do not have the usual means of knowing Christ. William Joseph Chaminade invites each Christian to be rooted in his baptism, which conforms him to the Lord Jesus and communicates the Holy Spirit to him."
The conference in the Kennedy Union ballroom included:
Opening prayer service, "Chaminade and the Laity: Then and Now," Father James Fitz, S.M., vice president for mission and rector, University of Dayton
"The Challenge of the Contemporary Lay Vocation," Bishop Matthew Clark, bishop of Rochester, N.Y.
"Communities, Kids and a Global Call," Laura Luehrmann-Burdick, associate professor of political science, Wright State University
Parish Councils and Leadership, Pat Donnelly, associate provost for faculty and administrative affairs, University of Dayton.
Social Justice Ministry, Brother Raymond L. Fitz, S.M., Ferree Professor in Social Justice, University of Dayton
Family Life, Joan McGuinness Wagner, director of Marianist strategies, University of Dayton
Business, Terry Brown, customer service manager, Service Now
Health Care Profession, Mary Buchwalder, M.D., medical director, University of Dayton Health Center
Small Christian Community, George and Margaret Lisjak. George is the director of Marianist Educational Studies and Partnerships; Margaret is the administrative associate in the School of Business Administration at the University of Dayton
Young Adult Ministry, Maureen O'Rourke, coordinator of Marianist activities and scholarship, University of Dayton
Forum for Young Catechetical Leaders, Sister Angela Ann Zukowski, MHSH, director of the Institute of Pastoral Initiatives, University of Dayton
Roundtables Set II:
Educational Ministry, Susan Ferguson, director of the Center for Catholic Education, University of Dayton
Social Service, Cindy Currell, research associate for Fitz Center for Leadership in Community and School of Education and Allied Professions, University of Dayton
Liturgical Ministry, Ellen Garmann, Campus Ministry, University of Dayton
Civic Engagement, A.J. Wagner, former judge of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas
Marianist Movement in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Brother Raymond Fitz, S.M., Ferree Professor of Social Justice, University of Dayton
Forum for Young Catechetical Leaders, Sister Angela Ann Zukowski, MHSH, director of the Institute of Pastoral Initiatives, University of Dayton
He Read the Signs of the Times With Imagination.
Learn More About Blessed William Joseph Chaminade.
Books and Articles
Here are books and publications about Chaminade by The Marianists Province of the United States. >>
Homily
Chaminade Day Mass Homily (Jan. 21, 2011) by Rev. James Fitz, S.M., Rector (pdf) >>
Letters
Letter from the Marianist Family Council commemorating the Chaminade Year (pdf) >>
News
University of Dayton Magazine Article Winter 2010-11 (pdf) >>
Research
North American Center for Marianist Studies >>
Videos
Chaminade 250th Anniversary Celebrations Around the World 2011 >>
Blessed William Joseph Chaminade: His Life and His Legacy >>