Annual retreat of the Brothers of México Occidental
The Marist Brothers of the Province of México Occidental held their retreat 2023, December 25-30, in Guadalajara, with the theme “Living passionately our being Marist today”, a theme inspired by the Constitutions and the Rule of Life.
Fifty-five brothers participated in person and two communities of older brothers participated virtually (Casa Champagnat from Guadalajara and the Chuburna Residence from Merida). Brother Óscar Martín Vicario, General Councilor, was the animator of the retreat, which was also attended by the Provincial, Brother Luis Enrique Rodríguez Santana.
Br. Óscar Martín spoke about the importance of praying to practice spirituality, “to meditate in order to have the heart awake, attentive, conscious and to seek an experience of attention to live connected, and thus, to react to pain and to be compassionate, like Mary, like Champagnat, to be available for the mission”.
Brother Luis Enrique, during the retreat, emphasized that “being a Marist Brother is a manifestation of love, a way of living with an open and undivided heart that accepts everyone, we commit ourselves to live in simplicity, to live in discernment, to live in joy and to live in community”.
During the first day, the Brothers shared moments of prayer and reflection. On the second day, the participants concentrated on the theme of the identity of being a Brother, considering the dimensions of collectivity, fraternity and commitment to their vocation. On the third day, the brothers held a special celebration on fraternity. In this regard, Br. Óscar recalled the Rule of Life of the brothers, underlining that “Fraternity is not only the gift that you receive in your vocation, it is also the one that you share”.
The final celebration was marked by the renewal of vows of Brother Víctor Hugo, and the first profession of Brothers Jesús Andrés Morales Reyes and Albino Quiroz Alejándres. At the same time, the consecrated life of seven jubilarians was celebrated: Br. José Ernesto Naranjo Terán, Br. Gonzalo Castillo Méndez, Br. José Luis Casillas Velázquez (60 years); Br. Javier López Godina Barajas y Br. Enrique Escobar Zúñiga (50 years Br. Agustín Acevedo Sánchez, Br. Guillermo José Villarreal Cavazos (25 year).