“Mary Went in Haste – A Family of Justice and Joy”

Gospel: Luke 1:39–56
Saint Mary’s Priory Feast Mass – Jubilee Year Celebration 2025
Focus: Mary, Family, Justice, and the Servite Charism

My dear students, staff, and members of our Servite College family. Welcome to today’s liturgical celebration—a moment for us to pause, to gather as one community, and to be renewed by the love of God. In this sacred space, we remember that we are more than a school—we are a family of faith, united by the spirit of Mary, shaped by the charism of the Order of the Servants of Mary, and now inspired by the teachings of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV.

As we reflect on today’s Gospel—the Visitation—we are reminded that family is not just defined by blood. Family is made real in the love we show, the burdens we share, and the joy we bring into each other’s lives.

1. Mary: The Heart of a Compassionate Family

In Luke’s Gospel, Mary sets out “in haste” to visit her cousin Elizabeth. What moves her? Not obligation, but love. Not fear, but faith. She goes as one who knows the power of presence. She doesn’t send a message—she shows up, just as family does. Mary brings more than herself—she brings Christ. And in doing so, she creates a space of joy, healing, and connection.

This moment between Mary and Elizabeth is a mirror of what a Christian family should be: supportive, joyful, attentive, and full of the Spirit. At Servite College, we strive to follow Mary’s example: to be a community of inclusion and belonging, where no one is left out, where every student is seen, and where compassion is not optional, but essential.

2. The Servite Charism: A Family of Service and Justice

The Servite tradition calls us to live as “companions in service,” rooted in the Gospel and in fraternity. This charism was born not in institutions or palaces, but in community—seven men coming together in faith to serve Mary and her Son by serving others. To be Servite is to understand that justice begins at home—in how we treat one another in our classrooms, on the sports field, at recess, and even online.

Our call to justice isn’t abstract. It is concrete, relational, and lived daily through compassion, reconciliation, and kindness. In this Jubilee Year, we are being invited back to these roots: to restore our bonds, renew our relationships, and recommit ourselves to the Servite path—one that is walked not alone, but as a family.

3. Pope Leo XIV: A New Shepherd for a Renewed World

In his first homily, Pope Leo XIV reminded us that “the Church must shine as a light in the darkness—not with power, but with presence; not with control, but with compassion.” His words echo Mary’s Magnificat, where she proclaims God’s justice in lifting the lowly and feeding the hungry. Pope Leo XIV challenges us—especially young people—to rediscover the Gospel in our everyday lives: through relationships, through responsibility, and through real encounters.

He reminds us that in an age of digital connection, what we truly hunger for is something deeply human: authentic community, genuine compassion, and shared purpose. Isn’t that what we find here at Servite College, when we live as a family?

Three Practical Ways to ‘Live the Family of Justice’ in Servite College

So how do we make this more than just words? How can you, today, help build a family shaped by Mary and inspired by Pope Leo XIV?

1. Show Up for Each Other – Be Present like Mary

Mary “went in haste” to Elizabeth—not because she was asked, but because she cared. She brought joy just by being present.

Example:
• You notice a classmate sitting alone at lunch. Instead of walking past, you sit with them, invite them into your group, or just have a chat.
• A friend seems quiet or upset. You take the time to ask, “Are you okay?” and really listen.

Justice begins with compassion. Family shows up.

2. Be a Voice for the Voiceless – Speak Up with Courage

Mary’s Magnificat speaks boldly: “He lifts up the lowly.” Mary praises a God who hears the unheard.

Example:
• Someone makes a hurtful joke or comment about another student. Instead of laughing or staying silent, you say, “That’s not okay.”
• You notice someone being excluded from a game, project, or group. You take the initiative to include them or talk to a teacher to make sure no one is left out .Justice means protecting others, even when it’s uncomfortable. That’s how a true family behaves.

3. Keep the Spirit of Joy Alive – Bring Hope and Encouragement

When Mary arrived, Elizabeth said, “The child in my womb leapt for joy.” Joy isn’t surface-level happiness—it’s the result of real love.

Example:
• You compliment a classmate’s effort or creativity—not just their looks or popularity. “Hey, I liked how you led that group today” goes a long way.
• You write a note of encouragement to someone who’s having a rough week or thank a teacher or staff member just for anything.

A joyful heart lifts the whole community. That’s the heartbeat of the Servite family.

Conclusion: A Jubilee Family on a Servite Journey

Servite College is more than a school—it is a living family of Mary, walking together in faith, called to justice, and sent to serve. So let us go “in haste” like Mary—not to escape the world, but to engage it with love.

Let us listen to Pope Leo XIV—not as distant words, but as a living challenge to build a Church and a school where no one is forgotten and everyone belongs.

And let us walk always in the spirit of the Servite founders—companions in service, joyful in faith, and united as one family. They lived their One life, made their One Choice at that One moment for their One God. I hope we too can do so.

They say, ‘Australia is heaven on earth’. Can we make ‘Servite College as heaven on Perth?’ God bless.

Amen.