Animation of the laity

In the course taken for the linking up and formation of lay persons, the Lay Animation Commission of the Province of « Brasil Centro-Norte » has chosen to invest in a group of  multipliers. Given the geographical extent – 16 States of Brasil – and the multicultural character of the Province, priority has been given to working with a group of lay people engaged in different regions of the Province, starting with the holding of regional meetings.

In May, there were two meetings; at Belo Horizobte/MG and at Itamaracá/PE. The participants were lay people associated with the Schools, Social Units, Marist Youth  Centres and the Champagnat Movement of the Marist Family, in addition to Brothers of the Provincial Council and the communities.

The meetings were organised around the three dimensions of formation – human, Christian and Marist, on the axis of the crib – the first place, according to Marcellin, where we nourish our spirituality. So the participants had the opportunity to reflect, pray, share and deepen their understanding of their personal crib, the crib of Jesus, the crib of Champagnat, reviewing each of these places in their Life Project.

The meetings were the point of departure for a programme of formation which will unfold in extramural activities and in activities of required attendance, spaced out and continuing, in line with the recent thinking of the Institute with regard to laity. The Province hopes that by the middle course this group becomes a reference point for the  formation, connection and organisation of lay Marists, thus contributing to other persons undertaking  discernment about God’s call in their lives, and from there, becoming missionary disciples of Jesus, in the footsteps of Champagnat.

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Eder D’Artagnan
Co-ordinator of the Lay Animation Commission
Marist Province of « Brasil Centro-Norte »