An account of three years of functioning

The MCHFM has reached a ?certain age?. The first fraternities are already a little more than twenty years old. Since their origin right up until now we have lived through numerous different stages: enthusiasm and passion at the beginning, plans for the future, consolidation of communities, disenchantment and disarray at moments of crisis, gratitude for our own choices and fraternity, and much, so very much life shared, on the occasion of children born and on the death of members of the fraternity. All this has survived from faith in God through Jesus, in the way of Mary, as we have inherited it and appreciated it from Marcellin and the Brothers who have accompanied us during this time.

We can say we have reached a certain ?majority? although we feel that growth is something which must be paid attention to the whole life through. These last years we have seen we have seen how, in almost all the provinces of Europe, fraternities grow, organise and structure themselves in such a way that they can help one another, show that which makes us life and able to sustain a greater Marist life among ourselves. Thus it is that we can rely on a body for the co-ordination and animation of the MCHFM in France and in the Iberian and ?Mediterránea? provinces. But without doubt the greatest advance in this sense has been the establishment of a European Council of the MCHFM, following the European Assembly of delegates, held in 2006.

In last November we drew up an account of the three years the Council had been functioning, objectives already attained and those which we still await? We have stated with hope that there still remains a long road to travel, for there is a fine future before us: the Marist charism is attractive in our time and we have something great to bring to others!

We have programmed the Second Assembly of Delegates of the MCHFM of Europe for the month of August 2010. We want to discern together what God is asking of us, lay Marists, in this time and continent. There will be four packed days in which to get us au courant with what is new in our various provinces, to find out the experiences of other institutions which share a similar charism of foundation, to reflect on our common path as Brothers and lay Marists, and to see whether the time has arrived to revise the Plan of Life for the MCHFM and also to life together, sharing that which we are and that which we believe.

If we manage it, it will be especially thanks to the presence and encouragement of many Brothers who have had confidence in this movement, who have transmitted to us their passion for living as Mary and Marcellin, and because from moments of a hesitant beginning, they have supported us in our advancement. At the present, in certain areas one can speak of an intense collaboration: some Provinces have given themselves as one of the objectives of their provincial council, the development of fraternities; a new personage has even been established, called ?Provincial link with the MCHFM.? This person has as his aim to make known the Movement in its various provincial works and realities, to encourage and support the groups which begin these plans for a life and faith which is shared, and to make it easier to obtain access to information. This person receives the support of the province and the team for the animation of the Movement.

We are more and more aware, like children who grow, that it is necessary to towards a greater autonomy, including here the economic area. It is a subject that it is difficult for us to face, but it is included in this growth. Sometimes when we speak of autonomy feelings of fear and anxiety well up, for some thing that we no longer to take the Brothers into account.; as though we wanted to separate ourselves from them. This is certainly not the case. It is a question of taking in hand a movement that belongs to us; at this moment is beginning to be born the certainty that we can direct it ourselves;; but as it is with children who have grown up, they never cease to love those who have helped them to be and to grown. This is known as ?responsibility? and ?maturity?

Thank you, Brothers, for helping us to be Marists and to grow as Marists! Like you, we feel the responsibility of making known our charism in the world of today.

________________
European Council of the MCHFM