Br. Ernesto: Happy celebration of our institutional anniversary!
On January 2, the General House community, together with collaborators, Brothers of the San Leone Magno Community and visitors, celebrated the feast of the 208th anniversary of the foundation of the Marist Institute. During the Eucharist prepared by the General Councilor, Br. Ben Consigli, Br. Ernesto Sánchez, Superior General, shared the following words.
Greetings of Superior General, Br. Ernesto Sánchez
It is a joy for all of us to celebrate today the 208th anniversary of the foundation of our Marist Institute. A gift of the Spirit through Saint Marcellin Champagnat and our first Brothers.
Yesterday, January 1, during the Christmas octave, we celebrated the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.
We have begun the year 2025, during which we celebrate in the Church a Jubilee Year, and we are invited to live it as “pilgrims of hope”.
I believe that all this gives us light to live with joy and hope the gift of our foundation throughout this year, together with the celebration of the Bicentenary of the house of N.D. de l’Hermitage.
Year in which we will celebrate the XXIII General Chapter, with the theme “Hermitage 200: Home for all, River of Life”.
What is the rock we need as a foundation of our life and mission today?
It seems to me that the strength of the rock we need for rebuilding a New Hermitage in our day needs to have spirituality as a strong foundation. An intense experience of Marist inner life and spirituality leads us to live our fraternal life and mission to the poor with joy and passion. These are the other two areas that are fundamental to our Marist life. What follows are some reflections on these two areas. (Cf. Circular Convoking the XXIII General Chapter, p. 44-45)
Let us seek to strengthen the foundations to build a new Hermitage on solid rock, as did Marcellin and the first Brothers. Let us also be able to “cut the rock” and turn the resulting pieces of stone into building bricks, as were used to build several walls of the Hermitage. Let us not be afraid to “cut away” whatever is preventing us from giving ourselves fully to the following of Jesus, nor to let go of whatever is not helping to generate new life in the life and mission of the Institute. (p. 80)
Let us remember that in the Jubilee Year 2025 we are invited to strengthen hope. This is what Pope Francis had to say: “Everyone knows what it is to hope. In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring. Even so, uncertainty about the future may at times give rise to conflicting feelings, ranging from confident trust to apprehensiveness, from serenity to anxiety, from firm conviction to hesitation and doubt. Often, we come across people who are discouraged, pessimistic and cynical about the future, as if nothing could possibly bring them happiness. For all of us, may the Jubilee be an opportunity to be renewed in hope. God’s word helps us find reasons for that hope.” (Pope Francis)
We count on the inspiration of Mary, our Good Mother, who was able to listen and respond to the Spirit even in most difficult and painful moments.
Happy celebration of our institutional anniversary!
