The beginnings of the presence of the Marist Brothers in Tui (Galicia, Spain) officially began on 22 January 1909, the date on which the Bishop of the diocese, Don Valeriano Menéndez, published the Decree authorising the foundation. The founder of the Marist work in Tui was Brother Richard Giffon. Brothers Richard, Robustien and Luis Maxence (all French) found the ideal place for the new project in the ‘Pousa das Costiñas’.
The brothers, who since their arrival in Tui had been staying at the Generosa guesthouse, moved into the manor house on 14 May 1909. The chosen manor house, located to the west of the current building, was surrounded by vineyards and fields of rye and corn.
From that moment until the present day, the house has undergone different phases of construction, as well as different functions related to the Marist mission.
Between 1922 and 1953 various works of extension were undertaken, with constructions that were maintained temporarily until the construction of the current building was finished with three of its four wings. In 1948 the beautiful chapel-church was built, which is illuminated by a set of fourteen stained glass windows depicting the life of Saint Marcellin Champagnat, completing the fourth wing of the building, and in 1956 the statue of the Founder was erected on the occasion of his Beatification.
Throughout this period, the work of the Marist Brothers in Tui was fundamentally aimed at the training of their aspirants or seminarians, and numerous groups of young people passed through the house. From the first decades of the 20th century until 1995, they received training, education and professional preparation (juniorate, novitiate, teacher training college, etc.).
From 1933 to 1941 the house also housed a boarding school, whose pupils were officially enrolled at the Tui Institute, and where they received their classes.
From 1952 to 1963 the ‘Luis Vives Teacher Training College’ was established and later it was the ‘Colegio de BUP Santa María’.
In 1996 the renovation of part of the house in which the community was centralised was completed, as well as part of the offices and staff room as they are today. In 2004 a complete renovation of the interior of the entire building was completed, adapting it to the needs of the school, just as the manor house was renovated and converted into the current youth hostel.
The final stage began in 1996 when the school was given a new purpose and was approved as ‘Colegio Marista Santa María’, in partnership with the Regional Government of Galicia for Infant, Primary and Secondary Education.
It started with the 1st and 2nd years of primary education, with two classes that expanded the educational offer year after year, until secondary education was incorporated, as well as the infant stage, taking over the activity of the Sisters of Charity of the La Milagrosa school.
Throughout the history of the Marist Brothers in Tui, there has always been a very close relationship with the residents of Tui, making it a significant place for the historic city, as well as a significant presence and one with links to other religious congregations present in Tui, the local council, the bishopric, the minor seminary, various cultural and sports associations, etc., making it an open space beyond its specific function. which is why in 2009, on the 100th anniversary of the Marist presence in Tui, the City Council awarded the Marist Institution the Medal of the City of Tui.
But in addition to its local presence, the house in Tui has, over time, been a place of meeting and welcome for many brothers, young people and Marist educators from the Marist presences in the northwest of the province, enabling training, the development of youth ministry activities, retreats, etc., and becoming a place remembered as special and linked to significant personal experiences for many people.
On 1 September 2024, the community of brothers will be closed as a result of a restructuring process, but in every space and corner of the house and the grounds, but above all in the lay people and educators of the centre, there is the living testimony of the presence of the brothers, as well as a charism that is embodied in trying to bear witness to the Marian face of the Church in Tui from the Marista Santa María School, the MarCha youth movement, the meeting and accommodation centre and the relationship with the environment.
Roberto Díez Sancho. Headteacher of the Marista School of Santa María de Tui (Galicia, Spain)