While Father William Joseph Chaminade provided the visionary spark for the Marianists, the full story comes to life through the incredible partnership he shared with two remarkable women. In this episode, Sr. Laura Leming, FMI, and Jessica Gonzaléz Uhlig discuss the foundational partnership between Father Chaminade, Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon, and Marie Thérèse de Lamourous.

Sr. Laura and Jessica explore how these three distinct individuals—a visionary priest, a teenage aristocrat with a "flair for the dramatic," and a fearless woman who went undercover during the Reign of Terror—came together to form the Marianist Family. Whether you are a student looking for a path of authenticity or a leader navigating complex collaborations, the "Head, Heart, and Hands" framework these individuals embody provides a timeless model for service and community.

In this episode, Jessica and Sr. Laura discuss:

• Adèle’s transition from living in a wealthy château to a life of radical poverty at age 18,
• Marie Thérèse’s "boots on the ground" leadership at the Miséricorde,
• The nineteenth-century "mentorship" between Father Chaminade and these two dynamic women,
• Practical tips for finding grace in modern-day group projects and collaborations.

Follow the North American Center for Marianist Studies on Instagram and Facebook - @ThisIsNACMS.

Visit our website for access to all our resources, including e-publications, our bookstore, programming and more.

Recorded 3 December 2025. Edited by Mike Bennett, Media Administrator for the North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS).

Theme song: “Travel Light” by Jason Shaw (used with permission via Creative Commons License; see more of his work at http://audionautix.com/)

Other ambient music from freesound.org.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I'm still here, Matt."

Those four words, spoken during a moment of profound challenge, changed everything for Matt Naveau. In this episode of Sharing Our Marianist Stories, Matt shares his deeply personal journey of encountering Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon—not as a distant historical figure, but as a living companion through some of the most challenging years of his life.

At age 33, Matt was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer, leaving him to navigate chemotherapy and the terrifying reality of his own mortality while raising two young children. What followed was a series of miraculous encounters and a growing sense of "accompaniment" that saw him through the diagnosis, a year of pandemic isolation, and eventually, a call to new leadership.

A transcript of this podcast episode is available here.

Follow the North American Center for Marianist Studies on Instagram and Facebook - @ThisIsNACMS.

Visit our website for access to all our resources, including e-publications, our bookstore, programming and more.

Recorded 7 March 2025. Edited by Mike Bennett, Media Administrator for the North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS).

Theme song: “Travel Light” by Jason Shaw (used with permission via Creative Commons License; see more of his work at http://audionautix.com/)

"My Heart is Too Small" from the musical Spectacle (c) 2011, Nick Cardilino, Jim Ford and Bro. Stan Zubek, SM. (Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdedzuINDPQ)

Other ambient music from freesound.org.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Sharing Our Marianist Stories, Bro. Esteban Reyes, SM, shares his inspiring journey as a Marianist Brother--from Mexico to serving in the United States--and details the profound role Our Lady of Guadalupe and a miraculous sign during prayer played in confirming his vocation. After serving in administrative roles in Mexico, he transitioned to missionary work in the US, which led him to his current ministry at the Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May Point, New Jersey. Driven by his strong commitment to the Marianist charism and his role as a missionary, Bro. Esteban pioneered the formation of the first Spanish-speaking Marianist Lay Community in the U.S. He also discusses how his openness to the Holy Spirit has led to a surprising new gift: writing music, some of which is featured in this episode.

More of Bro. Esteban’s music can be found on his YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@brotherESTEBANreyes.

English translations of Bro. Esteban’s songs used in this episode are as follows:

• The first clip is from “Morenita Del Tepayac”: “A queen appeared very beautiful full of flowers the princess of Tepeyac. Very beautiful full of flowers the princess of Tepeyac. Today I choose this place to manifest my love. I have come to stay. I am the Mother of the Creator. I have come to stay. I am the Mother of God. My mother of Guadalupe give me forever your blessing. I carry you in my lap sweet mother of my Lord. I carry you in my lap sweet mother of my Lord.”
• The second clip is from “Me Llamaste”: “You chose me as your servant. You called me without my knowing. I answered and I followed you.

Refrain: Thank you Lord, thank you my God for your choice. Thank you Lord, thank you my God for your choice.

Your very special call I still remember the great sign. It was a moment of divinity that praised my humanity. (Refrain)”

• The third clip repeats the refrain from “Me Llamaste.”
• And the fourth clip continues from “Me Llamaste”: “Today I reaffirm my faithfulness to your call with humility. (Refrain)”

A transcript of this podcast episode is available here.

Follow the North American Center for Marianist Studies on Instagram and Facebook - @ThisIsNACMS.

Visit our website for access to all our resources, including e-publications, our bookstore, programming and more.

Recorded 26 September 2024. Edited by Mike Bennett, Media Administrator for the North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS).

Theme song: “Travel Light” by Jason Shaw (used with permission via Creative Commons License; see more of his work at http://audionautix.com/)

Other ambient music from freesound.org.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.