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Our Charisms

Origins of Marist Education

The tradition of Catholic education that is known as Marist was begun by a French priest, St Marcellin Champagnat, in 1817. Today, Marist schools, colleges, universities and youth projects are found in over eighty countries around the world, leading hundreds of thousands of young people to be what St Marcellin believed each of them could be - good Christians and good citizens.

Dismayed by the ignorance he found among the rural children of southern France and spurred on by a strong faith, Father Champagnat initially established a network of village schools.

From the beginning, the school reflected many of the qualities of St Marcellin himself: they were places where hard work and excellent achievement were valued, places where the individual was genuinely loved and prized, warm places where a strong family spirit was evident, places characterised by simplicity and calm determination.

Marist inspired College Community

A special concern was afforded those students who found school most difficult. Above all, the schools were places that had the Gospel at their heart, encouraging students to respond to it with the same faith and generosity that Mary did. The spirituality at Mount Carmel is based on the life, history and teachings of St Marcellin Champagnat. As a Marist inspired College community we strive to ensure that all students leave our College as Good Christians and Good Citizens; we embrace an educational environment and develop a community with the following characteristics:

Presence

Being present and a good example are the two pillars of St Marcellin's approach to education.
Pedagogy of presence: immersion in the lives of young people, looking for opportunities and ways to be physically present to them.
Educating through close and life-giving relationships.
Teachers affecting students by who they are.
Going into their world, their space.

Simplicity

A central gospel value and distinguishing Marist Characteristic.
Marcellin insisted on a prevailing simplicity that would ensure transparency, integrity and easiness of relationships, method and style.
Lack of pretence or affectation.
Authenticity and ease of relationship.

Family Spirit

Love of children: "To educate children first you must love them, and love them equally" is known as St Marcellin's Golden Rule.
Family-style relationships
Dealing with students as if they were your own children.
Warm, down-to-earth relationships among all members of the school family.
Sense of belonging, a place for everyone.
Hospitality.

A Love of Work

An enthusiasm for the work of the College.
Generosity of heart, and doing good quietly.
Mastery of the craft of teaching.
Search for effective methods and openness to innovation.
High expectations of student achievement.
Honouring of all work in the school and those who undertake it.

In The Way of Mary

Mary is the perfect model of the Marist educator.
Openness to the action and will of God - like Mary of the Annunciation
Going out, as a bearer of Good News - like Mary of the Visitation
Bringing God-life to birth - like Mary of Bethlehem
Introducing Jesus to people - like Mary of Cana
Sitting with the suffering face of Jesus in love and faithfulness - like Mary of Calvary
Forming community and sowing hope - like Mary of Pentecost

Carmelite Tradition

Mount Carmel Catholic College owes a great deal to the Discalced Carmelites, as the College is blessed to be located on their land. With a beautiful natural environment, the College is a wonderful representation of “God’s Garden”, which is what the name “Mount Carmel” means.

Beyond the land, the Carmelites have imbued the College with its special gift of 800 years of history that has shaped its charism; the three interlocking dimensions of prayer, community and service.These dimensions help our College community to contribute to the common good of our local area, but also the personal development of the students spiritual life, with a devotion to Mary, and engagement in social issues based on peace and justice. This adds to our uniqueness as a dual charism College.

The Three Dimensions of Charism

Prayer - St Teresa of Avila says that prayer is “nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God” and this is at the very core of Carmelite spirituality. We encourage students, staff and parents to engage in prayer as

  • Contemplation helps us to connect to God
  • It gives us time to ponder the mystery and wonder of life
  • It helps us to search for the meaning

Community - Coming together with one another and with Christ is at the heart of a Carmelite community. Being inspired by the words of St John of the Cross “where there is no love, pour love in, and you will draw love out.” Carmelites are inspired to put these words into action and be

  • Open and welcoming
  • Willing to sharing ourselves and our belongings with others

Service - Depending on the needs of the community, a Carmelite will respond, continually following in the footsteps of Jesus. St Therese of Lisieux, whose relics visited the College in January 2020, says that “without love, deeds, even the most brilliant, count as nothing.” So a Carmelite needs to have love at the heart of their actions when

  • They serve the needs of others
  • Their actions bring Christ to others
  • They are being a living sign of God's presence

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