July 10, 2026
Students and alumni from St. Mary’s University joined more than 170 members of the Marianist community at the 2026 Province Assembly in Dayton, Ohio, to share their thoughts on the future of the Marianist community and its mission. The event was hosted by the Marianist Province of the United States.
Alongside members from the University of Dayton and Chaminade University, attendees gathered June 25-29 to discuss challenges facing religious education, including how to move the Marianist community forward while responding to the needs of a new generation.
The Assembly’s theme was Embracing Our Roots, Forging Our Future.
“The assembly allowed participants to reflect on our past, name our current reality and look to relationships that will forge the future for the members of the Society of Mary and the Marianist Family in the United States,” said the Rev. John Thompson, S.M., Ed.D., Vice President for Mission at St. Mary’s. “It was a time for remembering who we are and who we are called to be.”
The Marianist Province Assembly does not meet on a fixed, annual basis. Instead, it is convened to address significant province-wide transitions, install new leadership and plan for the future.
The assembly began with Brother Edward Violett, S.M., Ph.D. (B.B.A. ’82), taking the role of provincial of the Marianist Province and Chancellor of St. Mary’s University, positions previously held by the Rev. Oscar Vasquez, S.M. Panels at the event featured students and faculty from the Marianist universities alongside Marianist brothers.
Stephen Garcia, a Management major, was one of four St. Mary’s students who attended, along with recent alumni Emmanuel Varela (B.A. ’26), Arely Reyes (B.A. ’26) and Lucia Martinez (B.A. ’26).
Garcia, a member of the Marianist Educational Associates and involved with University Ministry on campus, called the event a great way to experience the Marianist community.
“The assembly reignited my fire for the Marianists, for our ministry, for my faith and as a student to spread that message to other people,” he said.