21 lay people make official promise to follow Marist charism

During a Mass in the city of Alcalá de Henares at the provincial house, 21 lay people individually expressed their promise to follow the Marist charism.

“Today we publicly acknowledge your vocation and we welcome you within the charismatic family of Marcellin Champagnat,” said the members of the Marist laity commission of the Ibérica province in a statement given to the general house press office on July 15.

They also received a Marist cross by the provincial to remind them of the commitment they made in the course of the Eucharistic celebration on July 4.

The commission of the Ibérica province, which includes one Brother and four lay people, praised their vocation.

“They want to tell us today and here that their vocation fills their lives, that they feel it is their way of being and that they wish to stay committed in helping the Marist family grow in the Church, giving hope to our world and especially to children and youth,” they added on the day of the celebration, words that were repeated in the statement.

According to the commission, there was “joy in feeling that the charism received by many brothers, and now also by lay people, is growing among us.”

“These lay people want to confirm their Marist vocation they have discovered and lived for many years,” the statement continued. 

The provincial underscored “the Ibérica province has long ago chosen to live out the communion between brothers and laity.” 

The commission called the celebration “joyous and moving because of the new Marian face made up of religious and lay people and the dynamic touch of the sons and daughters of marriages.” 

“Joy because we feel called to a common mission that binds us, gives meaning to our lives and which fulfills us,” the statement added.

The commission includes José María Pérez-Soba, Beatriz Estellés, Ana Sarrate, Joseba Louzao and Brother José Luis Santamaría.