From After-School Care to the 'Wednesday Route': Marianist Mission in Action

Originating from the sodalities founded by Father Chaminade and Mother Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon, the Marian Alliance (Alliance Mariale in French) is a contemporary Marianist branch comprising consecrated lay women who live independently in the world under private vows and who meet regularly to share their faith and support one another; the branch is currently seeking official recognition as a Secular Institute.

In the June issue of Magnificat, the Marian Alliance (Alliance Mariale in French) of the Marianist Family presents two charitable initiatives in which its members participate alongside the Marianist Family of Chile.

The Social Foundation for the Family provides education, financial, and social support to vulnerable families in the poorest sector of Puente Alto through a “little school” for children—which operates after school hours—religious education, sharing among mothers, and the distribution of food at reduced prices, among other initiatives.

Last year, a program was launched for young people aged 13 to 18, led by laypeople, a religious sister, and a member of the Marian Alliance. The young people were offered weekly meetings featuring various workshops. They chose workshops on boxing and cueca (Chile’s national dance), along with sports outings, hikes, and educational sessions. The goal was to address the need for young people to get off the streets, away from the risks of drug addiction and crime that constantly threaten them in their neighborhoods.

We hope to continue encouraging more young people and volunteers to join this vital work of supporting low-income adolescents so they can develop their skills and values, build their self-esteem, and together find meaning in their lives through personal growth and service to others.

The Wednesday Route

In 2023, the motto of the Marianist Lay Communities was “With Mary, we open ourselves to the world.”

In response to this invitation, questions arose: How can we bring this to life? How can we step out of the comfort we live in and reach out to those who need it most?

From these reflections, the initiative arose to join the “Friends of the Street” team, made up of CSMC teachers who organized outings to deliver food to homeless people in the Puente Alto area, specifically on the Acceso Sur highway.

In this context, members of the Agua Viva Marianist Lay Community began participating in this charitable work every two weeks, helping to meet various needs of people living on the streets, such as food, personal hygiene items, clothing, and bedding. Over time, this experience took shape until it became a social ministry integrated into the agenda of the Marianist Lay Communities of Puente Alto.

Since then, various communities and individuals have participated in different ways: through monthly financial contributions, by helping to prepare food, and by assisting along the route. Additionally, every October, they participate in the walk to the Votive Temple of Maipú, where a charity stand is set up to sell coffee, tea, sandwiches, and other products to raise funds to sustain this mission. Similarly, volunteers have joined in to help with cooking and accompanying the distribution days, thereby strengthening a network of fraternal support committed to the dignity of the most marginalized people.

Currently, we provide food to 50 people and continue to serve every other Wednesday. For this reason, as part of our outreach work, we specifically set a route along the Acceso Sur highway near Gabriela Avenue. Occasionally, after completing our designated route, we make a detour to the Puente Alto Plaza to bring dinner to the elderly.

Marianist Magnificat, June 2026