A visit to the ‘Marist places’ in Rome

On September 26 2018, a pilgrimage began to those 'Marist places' in the city of Rome,acknowledging the presence of Brother François Rivat, with the participation of a group of 18 older Spanish and Portuguese Brothers following the "Dawn course." 

Brother François travelled to Rome in 1858 accompanied by Brother Louis-Marie who had to return very soon to the Hermitage. Brother François remained in Rome for 194 days in order to deal with the administration concerning the approval of our first Constitutions. As can be seen from his diary, during that long stay in the city, as a good mountain dweller accustomed to walking long distances he searched the city, visiting more than 200 churches. In each one of them he carried out his religious duties,  honouring the saints and martyrs and studying the history. In some of those churches he had very particular experiences. The church that he visited most, apart from Saint Peter's  in the Vatican, was that of the Holy Name of Mary (35 times).  

The group of older Spanish and Portuguese Brothers who are taking part in the "Dawn" course were accompanied by Brother Antonio Martínez Estaún, Postulator General. They made a pilgrimage from the General House to the church of the Holy Name of Mary located in the Forum next to Trajan's column .  

From here theroute of the Marist places in Rome was started. 

Brother François is waiting for numerous Marist pilgrims to  come and discover his experiences in the diverse places in the city that he visited, at the same time inviting them to fill with spirituality the days spent in here. 

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B. Antonio Martínez Estaún, Postulator General

Diario del viaje a Roma del Hermano François en 1858 – Download PDF (Français – WORD)