Spiritual Life FAQ

Everyone is welcome at Marist.          

Do you have to be Catholic to attend Marist?
No. While Marist is a Catholic school, it welcomes students at Marist come from many faith backgrounds, or no faith background.
 
Do you have to take religion or theology classes?
Yes. Four years of theology are required of all students in order to help them understand and explore the spiritual dimension, which all humans share, by learning primarily about Catholicism and Christianity, as well as other religions.
 
What percentage of students at Marist are Catholic? 
​47% of students are Catholic. (2019-20)
 
What types of religion classes will my student have to take while a student at Marist?
The specific Theology courses and the goals for the courses are listed in the Marist course catalog.
 
What are some of the ways Marist promotes faith?
At Marist we start every dat with a shared prayer, and Theology classes generally incorporate prayer into their daily habit. Weekly Masses are available to all students in the Chapel, and the entire school joins together for Mass or a prayer service about once each month. All students have the opportunity to attend a thoughtfully planned retreat each year  that focuses on community building as well as providing opportunity to reflect on    relationships with self, others and God. In addition, students volunteer in a  variety of capacities in our wider metro community serving those in need. 
 
Are the student retreats mandatory?
​ No. The retreats are not mandatory, but all students are strongly encouraged to attend, and most students find that retreats provide meaningful opportunities to grow personally and to bond with others.