This year Marian College proudly celebrates 50 years teaching in Irish second-level education. On 8th September 1954 its doors opened to the first students offering them and their families an approach to education which instils faith, culture and harmony in young people from all walks of life.

Located by the River Dodder and nestled in its own leafy surroundings, Marian College has been responsible for the transformation of so many young boys into fine young men throughout the years.

The academic programme aims at the highest standards while the College also provides a wide range of physical, social and cultural programmes in keeping with its mission. The College motto is ‘Optimum Optare’ which means ‘the pursuit of excellence’.

Over the years Marian College has reached a very high standard of academic success, and is particularly proud of the happy, disciplined and caring environment which has always been the hallmark of the College.

A keen interest in sport is encouraged and this year proved to be a very rewarding one with the Senior Gaelic football team winning the Dublin Championships and becoming the Leinster Championship Finalists. The Senior Basketball team also had reason to celebrate when they won the All Ireland Basketball championships.

The College was opened by the Marist Brothers, who originated more than 200 years ago in a little village in the south-east of France. A young country boy named Marcellin Champagnat who tended his sheep under the slopes of Mount Pilat without the advantages of an education dreamed of becoming a priest. Later he dedicated his life to the establishment of a congregation of teaching Brothers who would give to hundreds of thousands throughout the world, the educational advantages he himself did not have.

He opened the first school in May 1818, and despite many setbacks and disappointments throughout the years Marcellin remained enthusiastic and his interest in the progress of the institute remained undiminished into the last year of his life. Marist communities are now established in 74 countries around the world.

Marcellin Champagnat passed away on June 6th 1840. He was proclaimed Blessed by Pope Pius XII on May 29th 1955, and was canonised on April 18th 1999. ‘The Heart That Knows No Bounds’ was written by Ned Prendergast a former teacher at Marian College and tells the story of Marcellin’s life.

A special 50th anniversary mass will take place at 12 noon in the Star of the Sea Church on 2nd October.

Above: St. Marcellin Champagnet