"I'm still here, Matt."

Those four words, spoken during a moment of profound challenge, changed everything for Matt Naveau. In this episode of Sharing Our Marianist Stories, Matt shares his deeply personal journey of encountering Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon—not as a distant historical figure, but as a living companion through some of the most challenging years of his life.

At age 33, Matt was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer, leaving him to navigate chemotherapy and the terrifying reality of his own mortality while raising two young children. What followed was a series of miraculous encounters and a growing sense of "accompaniment" that saw him through the diagnosis, a year of pandemic isolation, and eventually, a call to new leadership.

A transcript of this podcast episode is available here.

Follow the North American Center for Marianist Studies on Instagram and Facebook - @ThisIsNACMS.

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Recorded 7 March 2025. Edited by Mike Bennett, Media Administrator for the North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS).

Theme song: “Travel Light” by Jason Shaw (used with permission via Creative Commons License; see more of his work at http://audionautix.com/)

"My Heart is Too Small" from the musical Spectacle (c) 2011, Nick Cardilino, Jim Ford and Bro. Stan Zubek, SM. (Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdedzuINDPQ)

Other ambient music from freesound.org.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Sharing Our Marianist Stories, Bro. Esteban Reyes, SM, shares his inspiring journey as a Marianist Brother--from Mexico to serving in the United States--and details the profound role Our Lady of Guadalupe and a miraculous sign during prayer played in confirming his vocation. After serving in administrative roles in Mexico, he transitioned to missionary work in the US, which led him to his current ministry at the Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May Point, New Jersey. Driven by his strong commitment to the Marianist charism and his role as a missionary, Bro. Esteban pioneered the formation of the first Spanish-speaking Marianist Lay Community in the U.S. He also discusses how his openness to the Holy Spirit has led to a surprising new gift: writing music, some of which is featured in this episode.

More of Bro. Esteban’s music can be found on his YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@brotherESTEBANreyes.

English translations of Bro. Esteban’s songs used in this episode are as follows:

• The first clip is from “Morenita Del Tepayac”: “A queen appeared very beautiful full of flowers the princess of Tepeyac. Very beautiful full of flowers the princess of Tepeyac. Today I choose this place to manifest my love. I have come to stay. I am the Mother of the Creator. I have come to stay. I am the Mother of God. My mother of Guadalupe give me forever your blessing. I carry you in my lap sweet mother of my Lord. I carry you in my lap sweet mother of my Lord.”
• The second clip is from “Me Llamaste”: “You chose me as your servant. You called me without my knowing. I answered and I followed you.

Refrain: Thank you Lord, thank you my God for your choice. Thank you Lord, thank you my God for your choice.

Your very special call I still remember the great sign. It was a moment of divinity that praised my humanity. (Refrain)”

• The third clip repeats the refrain from “Me Llamaste.”
• And the fourth clip continues from “Me Llamaste”: “Today I reaffirm my faithfulness to your call with humility. (Refrain)”

A transcript of this podcast episode is available here.

Follow the North American Center for Marianist Studies on Instagram and Facebook - @ThisIsNACMS.

Visit our website for access to all our resources, including e-publications, our bookstore, programming and more.

Recorded 26 September 2024. Edited by Mike Bennett, Media Administrator for the North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS).

Theme song: “Travel Light” by Jason Shaw (used with permission via Creative Commons License; see more of his work at http://audionautix.com/)

Other ambient music from freesound.org.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our 50th episode, we sit down with Fr. Jim Fitz, S.M., a man with much to celebrate. He recently marked his 50th Jubilee of ordination in 2024 and recently celebrated his 60th Jubilee of first vows in the summer of 2025. On top of that, he's preparing for his semi-retirement from his significant role as Vice President for Mission and Rector at the University of Dayton. Don't miss this conversation as Fr. Jim reflects on a lifetime of dedication, sharing stories from his experiences of formation, ministry, and leadership within the Marianist Family.

Follow the North American Center for Marianist Studies on Instagram and Facebook - @ThisIsNACMS.

Visit our website for access to all our resources, including e-publications, our bookstore, programming and more.

Recorded 25 July 2024. Edited by Mike Bennett, Media Administrator for the North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS).

Theme song: “Travel Light” by Jason Shaw (used with permission via Creative Commons License; see more of his work at http://audionautix.com/)

Other ambient music from freesound.org.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.