society of mary. Founded in 1816 by [[Jean Claude]] Courveille and Jean Claude Marie Colin, the order held that Mary desired to aid the church through a namesake congregation. Courveille joined the Benedictines at Solesmes (1826) and Colin carried on, drafting the constitutions with Rome's final approval in 1836. Comprising priests and lay brothers, the society sent missionaries to Oceania and spread rapidly to Europe, North America, and the Antipodes. Based on the Jesuit Rule, the Marists did parish work, taught school and seminary, and held home missions and chaplaincies. Four independent congregations constitute the Marists: fathers (with the third order attached), brothers, sisters, and missionary sisters.