Remembering Venerable Marie Thérèse on the Feast of the Holy Cross
For the Marianist Family, September 14 holds profound dual significance: it is the universal feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and the anniversary of the death of Venerable Marie Thérèse de Lamourous, who passed away on this day in 1836.
Marie Thérèse was a foundational figure in Marianist history and a close, lifelong collaborator of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade. During the French Revolution, she served bravely in the underground Church in Bordeaux, helping to hold secret Masses and harboring disguised priests. After the revolution, she helped form the first Marianist lay sodalities alongside Father Chaminade, earning recognition as the co-founder of the Marianist lay branch. She later dedicated her life to running the Miséricorde, a sanctuary for penitent women, and helped Mother Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon found the Marianist Sisters, FMI, Daughters of Mary Immaculate.
Today, Marianists remember Marie Thérèse's courageous life of sacrifice and steadfast faith on September 14, a fitting parallel to the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, which honors Christ's ultimate sacrifice and triumph.
Chapel of the Madeleine, located in Bordeaux, France
After the French Revolution, Blessed William Joseph Chaminade used the Chapel of the Madeleine to rebuild his sodalities and to lay the foundation of the Marianist Family.
Central Catholic High School's Ecology Club Fishing Outing
This community update recaps the Central Catholic High School Ecology Club's recent fishing outing.
On Sunday, September 6, 2026, the Central Catholic High School Ecology Club held its first event of the year. Mr. James Bendele and Mr. Luke Hoenigman, Central Catholic High School faculty, met up with a group of Central boys at Leon Creek by UTSA for an afternoon of fishing.
Not everyone caught a fish, but everyone got plenty of bites, and we all had a blast!
We finished with three bass, four catfish, and six turtles.
Getting a group of urban teens to appreciate the outdoors made the event even more memorable!
Central Catholic High School update sent by James Bendele
Ministry Lead, Marianist Encounters,
Moderator, Ecology Club
Central Catholic High School,
San Antonio, TX