Celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Marist presence in Central America
The Marist Brothers celebrated on February 18, in El Salvador, the 100 years of their presence in Central America with various activities that were attended by brothers, sisters and lay Marists, representatives of the 5 Marist provinces of the Arco Norte Region, in addition to Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chávez, who presided over the Eucharistic celebration.
The event took place at the Instituto CatĂłlico de Oriente, in San Miguel, the first Marist school in Central America, where members of the Marist community gathered in an emotional celebration that included artistic and cultural presentations. Likewise, a solemn mass was held in the Cathedral Basilica of Queen of Peace.
In his homily, Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chávez congratulated the Marist Brothers for their centenary work and gratefully remembered dozens of brothers who started the Marist path in this region. “The beginnings of great works are very simple and are marked by poverty”, stressed the Cardinal, highlighting the commitment and dedication of the Marist Brothers in the formation of priests in the seminary and the friendship and closeness with Saint Oscar Romero.
For his part, Br. HipĂłlito PĂ©rez, Provincial of Central America, highlighted the audacity of the first 8 brothers from Colombia, who decided to embark with a single mission: to make Jesus Christ known and loved. “One hundred years later, we are witnesses of this small and fertile seed that soon multiplied and bore fruit in El Salvador and other Central American countries,” said the Provincial.
The Superior and the Vicar General sent a video message showing the proximity of the Institute to the Marist path in Central America. “We thank all the brothers and lay people for their generous and courageous dedication throughout these hundred years in Central America, surely facing some difficult moments, as Saint Marcellin Champagnat also lived, but always with great confidence in Mary, Our Good Mother,” said Brother Ernesto Sánchez, Superior General.
Also Br. Luiz Carlos Gutiérrez, Vicar General, greeted the Marists of Central America: “These hundred years of history of the province are full of many small stories, of great Marists, Brothers and lay people who were capable of building the heritage that we receive today, and who were also capable of intuiting the fidelity that Champagnat had always wanted for each one of us in the lands of Central America and the Caribbean.”
The celebrations will extend for three years in the different cities where there are schools and Marist works.