Marist House: a warm, spiritual launch pad for student life

Among the traditional student accommodation on offer at university colleges, or the newer high-rise, shared city apartments, sits a gem—Marist House—a welcoming and faith-based community for young students living away from home. Its point of difference is its aim of fostering a strong sense of belonging through shared meals, prayer and volunteer work.

The terrace house in Fitzroy is walking distance to several universities and other tertiary institutions. Br Frank, one of the two Marist brothers who run it, says that this year’s residents are studying at Australian Catholic University (ACU) and RMIT, and those in past years have also gone to the University of Melbourne, Monash, Deakin and the William Angliss Institute.

Zoe, a human rights law student at ACU, first heard about Marist House through a friend who had stayed there. ‘She had a really positive experience and said that it would really suit me,’ Zoe says. After visiting during an ACU Open Day, she was convinced. ‘I saw it and I really liked it, so I applied and, yeah, I got very, very lucky.’

Now in her second year, Zoe appreciates the life, the sense of being there for each other. ‘We have community nights on Monday nights,’ she says. ‘We come together and pray in our beautiful chapel downstairs, then have dinner together and talk about the week.

‘Everyone’s really just interested in what you are doing, and it’s a really supportive place to be.’

Residents take turns cooking meals—one night a week each.

‘We try and make the evening meal quite an event,’ Br Frank says. ‘So at 7 o’clock, someone’s got the meal on the table, we say grace, and then we sit down.’

Zoe admits she felt a bit of pressure to cook for a number of people, having only cooked for her family before. ‘But I’ve gotten used to it and it’s been good for life skills.’

Br Frank emphasises the importance of conversation around the table. ‘We ask, “How’s your day been? What’s coming up?”’ he says. ‘It creates bonds, and they look out for each other.’ When one resident’s grandmother died, others attended the funeral in Hamilton to support her. ‘I think she really appreciated that,’ Br Frank says.

He says they take an interest in each other’s daily lives, and also make a big deal out of celebrations like milestones and birthdays. ‘Each of us has got one of the other people that we do the birthday for and buy them a gift and make speech.’

The house was originally a formation space for Marist brothers before the pivot to hosting students. While some, like Zoe, attended Marist schools, others find the house through university open days or word of mouth. Br Frank explains that it was set up to cater to students from country areas, aimed at but not restricted to students from Marist schools.

He points out that the monthly fee that covers rent, food and utilities is reasonably priced compared with other options. It is not about making a profit but making a community, he says. ‘The whole idea is to give them a head start in coming to Melbourne, living in the city.’ Most students stay for one year, and while some choose to stay another year, Br Frank says they are encouraged to be more independent after that.

A key part of life at Marist House is outreach work. This year’s residents all volunteer at St Mary’s House of Welcome, a Brunswick Street service supporting homeless and marginalised people. ‘We serve them food, Zoe says. ‘It’s a bit of dignity for them and gives us understanding about other people’s lives.’

Br Frank says in the past, residents have worked in Vinnies soup vans or Orange Sky Laundry. He recalls one young man volunteering at the North Melbourne Football club–run homework club for primary and secondary school students.

‘Some of the students have worked in op shops,’ he says. ‘That’s okay, but I prefer them to sort of be on the edge where they’re actually serving people or working with the needy. And they certainly get that down there at the House of Welcome.’

The reasoning, the Marist brother says, is that their residents tend to come from fairly privileged backgrounds. ‘They’ve always had a roof over their head and meat on the table, and someone look after them and love them,’ Br Frank says. ‘So it’s very, very important that they are able to reach out, see the other side of life, and that they can actually give back.’

He gives the example of one resident, a young woman from Belgium, who had never volunteered before but threw herself into it. ‘It was quite a challenge for her, but she was up to it. Now she knows it’s something she can do.’

Faith plays a central role in the Marist House community. Residents attend the same local parish and support each other’s spiritual journeys. For Zoe, this is especially valuable. ‘Living here has helped me stay connected to my faith,’ she says. ‘Having similar-minded people with similar faith directions is really helpful. And everything that we do is really guided in our faith and in communion with everyone here in our house.’