Br. Ernesto, Superior General, remembers the 24th anniversary of the canonisation of St. Marcellin Champagnat
On April 18, we joyfully remember the 24th anniversary of the canonisation of our Founder. On that day, three new saints were glorified for the Church and for the world, and it happened at Easter time.
Pope John Paul II said in his homily: « The desire to bear witness to Jesus arises in the hearts of believers from their personal encounter with him. This is what happened with the three new saints whom today I have the joy of raising to the glory of the altars: Marcellin BenoĂ®t Champagnat, Giovanni Calabria and Agostina Livia Pietrantoni. They opened their eyes to the signs of Christ’s presence: they adored him and received him in the Eucharist; they loved him in their neediest brethren; they recognised the signs of his saving plan in the events of daily life. »
Referring more directly to Champagnat, he said: « St Marcellin proclaimed the Gospel with a burning heart. He was sensitive to the spiritual and educational needs of his time, especially to religious ignorance and the situations of neglect experienced in a particular way by the young. (…) Let us ask the Lord to give us a heart that burns like that of Marcellin Champagnat, to recognise him and to be his witnesses. »
The great gift of the charism that the Spirit has given us through Saint Marcellin and so many brothers and lay people throughout history is still alive today. We are co-responsible and co-creators of this gift in the present and with a view to the future.
Next year, as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Champagnat’s canonisation, we will remember that 200 years ago, in May 1824, the foundation stone of N.D. de l’Hermitage was blessed, thus beginning the construction of this house that has been so significant for our Institute. What significance do these events hold for us today? How do we view the present and the future, in the light of the vision that Marcellin and the first Marists had in their day?
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Letter of Br. Ernesto Sánchez, Superior General, to the Brother Provincials, District Leaders and their Councils – 18 April 2023
On April 18, 1999, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Pope John Paul II canonized Marcellin Champagnat, founder of the Institute of the Marist Brothers, and recognized him as a saint of the universal Church. See details here.
