Our founder, Jean-Claude Colin, wanted Marists to be men not only of prayer but also of learning. He thought that the two go hand in hand and can never be divorced from each other. Intellectual conversion is vital: how can we preach the Gospel if we have not done our best to understand what it is we're meant to be preaching?

Because of the importance of preaching therefore, the academic life is taken pretty seriously in Marist formation. Most of our studies are pursued at Good Shepherd Theological College, about two minutes walk up the road. These classes include philosophy, systematic theology (courses such as 'Jesus the Christ', 'The Trinity'), Church History, Sacred Scripture, Psychology and Latin. Often students will do extra classes outside of the College, such as anthropology, Maori or public speaking. The key thing is to develop all one's gifts, so that the whole person can be devoted to the service of God and his people.

Personally, I have noticed a gradual change in my approach to study since I entered Marist Seminary in 2002. I have always been keen on the studies; and if anything, I have had to let that keenness dampen a little. Before my novitiate, an intense year of discernment and preparation for taking vows, I often made academia an end in itself. Since the novitiate, however, I have come to see it more as a means to an ends. I still strive for excellence (at least try to) but the focus has changed: I realise more and more that theology really does have something to say about our lives and how we are to live them. People are important, and it's their importance that makes study important. Primarily, study is for the sake of something big: helping to bring people into communion with the God who loves them. Only secondarily, if at all, is it about getting top marks. If only I could put such words into practice!