The Marist Mission and Life Formation (MLF) Team serves the evangelising mission of the Catholic Church by supporting Marist Schools Australia and Marist ministries to make Jesus Christ known and loved. Grounded in the Marist tradition and inspired by the vision of Saint Marcellin Champagnat, this work focuses on forming staff, leaders, students, and communities to embody and proclaim the Gospel through relationships, service, and a lived Marist mission.

In 2025, the work of the MLF Team was guided by the national Marist theme Pilgrims of Hope – Look Beyond. This theme invited Marist communities to deepen their understanding of hope as a theological virtue, sustaining faith, nurturing resilience, and encouraging a forward looking response to the complex realities of contemporary education and society.

Across the year, formation programs were delivered nationally, responding to the diverse needs of staff at different stages of their professional and faith journeys. Strong partnerships with Catholic dioceses and tertiary institutions ensured formation experiences that were pastorally rich and professionally rigorous. Growth in accredited pathways through Marist Tertiary Education further strengthened leadership development and access to recognised postgraduate study.

Importantly, in 2025 Marist Schools Australia commissioned the La Salle Academy, Australian Catholic University to undertake a significant research project exploring the long term transformative impact of the Footsteps: Making Jesus Christ Known and Loved staff formation program. This ongoing research, continuing into 2026, is providing valuable insights into the program’s influence on faith, identity, leadership, and professional practice, and will help shape the future direction of Marist formation.

Notable Formation Key Developments and Initiatives

Key developments and initiatives during 2025 included:

• Continued development of the Middle Leaders Program, engaging 189 participants across seven Marist schools and strengthening leadership capacity within school communities.

• Presenting the Marian Lecture series, featuring award winning journalist and author Stan Grant, offering a pathway of hope and humanity in response to an increasingly fractured world.

• Delivery of a Liturgical Music Masterclass, a workshop supporting students and staff responsible for leading liturgical music within school communities.

• Facilitation of the Laudato Si’ Ecology Retreat in Far North Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef, enhancing teacher capacity in sustainability education and deepening engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures within the Australian Curriculum.

• Hosting of the biennial Faith Formators' Colloquium, a gathering for Directors of Mission, Religious Education Coordinators and Assistant Principals of Religious Education, exploring the theme Pilgrims of Hope – Look Beyond.

• Introduction of the inaugural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Colloquium, providing targeted formation for staff supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across Marist schools.

• Participation of 7141 staff members in formation programs throughout the year, demonstrating a strong commitment to ongoing professional learning and faith formation.

This report underscores the ongoing commitment to formation and its growth in Marist Schools across Australia.

Click here to download a copy of the report.

Previous Reports