Servants of Mary
The Servants of Mary founded Marian High School in 1955. The Servants of Mary (Servite Sisters) is a community of religious women who strive to be a compassionate presence in the spirit of Mary to those who suffer or are in need. The Servite Sisters serve as counselors, hospital chaplains, pastoral ministers, retreat facilitators, spiritual directors, teachers, liturgists, artists and authors. Through their ministries, Servite Sisters are devoted to sharing compassion and hope and walking with those seeking a deeper spiritual life. The U.S. Community of Servants of Mary is under the leadership of a Prioress and Council. The leadership team is responsible for overseeing the spiritual, community, and ministerial needs of the Sisters. Our Lady of Sorrows Convent in Omaha serves as the headquarters for the U.S. Community of the Servants of Mary and Sr. Jackie Ryan, OSM ’63 is the U.S. Prioress.
The mission of the Servants of Mary is to manifest God’s compassionate presence in the spirit of Mary. We respond to the words of Jesus: “Be compassionate as your heavenly Father is compassionate.” We do so by following the example of Jesus, under the guidance of Mary. Our commitment to compassion calls us to: witness Gospel values, center our lives in love of God and neighbor through prayer, community, and service, share with others healing and hope, be in right-relationship with all creation, welcome others in a spirit of hospitality, live joyfully our charism of compassionate presence.
Education in the Servite Tradition
Marian, under the sponsorship of the Servants of Mary, offers total education to our students and focuses on the development of the whole person – intellectual, spiritual, social and physical. In addition, education in the Servite tradition encompasses the charism of the order of the Servants of Mary – devotion to Mary, compassion, service and community. Mary is honored principally as our Sorrowful Mother. Recognizing the universality of suffering, we see Mary as a role model, woman of faith, and source of courage. Compassion for others is caught rather than taught. Suffering with another and being a compassionate presence in a world of sorrow and violence, Marian students strive to bring new life and renewed strength in order to be women of compassion. Compassion leads to service. Students and graduates of Marian seek and find opportunities to reach out to those in need, to put others before self and, in this way, gladden lives and bring joy to others. The charism of the Servants of Mary perpetuates community. By supporting one another, being compassionate to those in need and serving others in many ways, a sense of community evolves. Marian is a community of faith.