By J1 Reporter Kate Egan
In the middle of a busy schedule, finding a place to wind down, connect with friends and share laughter isn’t always easy. Hearts of Marian offers just that.

The club is an after school prayer group led by Marian moms every Wednesday afternoon from 3:15 to 4:15. Hearts of Marian is a special opportunity that Marian offers for their students.

On Wednesdays the group congregates in the Marian chapel. Snacks are provided and for the first ten minutes the girls chat with friends and relax after the long day of school. Thosee gathered start with a song, scripture and a lectio divino reflection. The girls then break into small groups to talk about their reflection, and begin prayer. Prayer is by far the most powerful part of Hearts of Marian. By praying for each other it allows the girls to from a close bond with each other.

The club began in the late 2000’s, it was massively popular and a tight knit group of girls were in attendance every week. Once Covid 19 led to the closing of schools, Hearts of Marian was momentarily withdrawn from Marian’s clubs and activities. It was out of practice until the 2025-2026 school year.

President Mrs. Michele Ernst and pricipal Dr. Susie Sullivan reached out to Krista Anderson, a mom of two Marian girls in hopes of her starting the club back up. The three set up a meeting to discuss their desire for Marian girls and their parents to pray.

Anderson had gathered a group of moms and they began to plan for the weekly meetings on Tuesday nights. “The effect is profound and you can see a confidence in the girls attending regularly, and hear the development of their faith in a new way,” Anderson said. “It’s a similar growth for the moms, a growth in community, a growth in praying out loud and vulnerability and having the vulnerability to get closer to God.”

Sophmore Aubree Kozeal  is an avid Hearts of Marian attendant. Kozeal’s experience within the program has been nothing but positive.  “Hearts teaches me new ways to pray, it helps me make new friends and get close with people who have similar interests as me.” she says The effects of Hearts of Marian benefit Marian girls throughout their daily lives, at school, home, and extracurriculars.

“The effect is profound and you can see a confidence in the girls attending regularly and hear the development of their faith in a new way.”

Mrs. Krista Anderson