Changes in the Province of Compostela

Brother Superior General and his Council have appointed Brother Óscar Martín Vicario as Provincial of the Province of Compostela for a period of three years, beginning from 2 January 2010. Óscar?s great qualities of leadership, which have been manifested in the different responsibilities he has assumed in the course of his life as a Marist, have merited the confidence of the Brothers of his Province and of the General Council, in entrusting him with this new service to the Institute.

Brother Óscar begins his mandate in a province which, six years since its creation, feels itself very united, and maintains a strong Brothers-Laity relationship which brings mutual enrichment and gives dynamism to a large number of lay persons committed to the Marist spirituality and mission. During these last years they have set in motion programmes of formation as a path to personal growth. Many consider the current provincial organigram a success; the existence of a ?provincial animation team?, and the setting in place of a ?strategic plan?. One has to point out also growth in the care for the most needy children and young people, an openness to new experience, the selection and formation of lay teachers, youth ministry and the missionary spirit.

In the years of his mandate, Brother Óscar will have to meet the challenges still pending: vocations ministry, more vital, meaningful and open communities, works becoming daily more evangelising, the integration of Brothers with lay people, a possible revision of the mission and apostolic works in the province and a greater presence among poor children and youth, among others.

Brother Emili Turú, Superior General, in the letter presenting the new Provincial to the Brothers and laity of the Province, greeted them with the same cry used by the ancient pilgrims to Compostela to encourage themselves on the way: ?¡Ultreya?. ?I would like this to be also today my salute to the province of Compostela: ¡Ultreya! Onwards!?, he wrote.

Before his appointment he was Vice-Provincial and Coordinator of the Animation Team of the Compostela Province. He has worked especially within the areas of shared mission, formation of youth animators and teachers, and the accompaniment of Brothers and communities.
Oscar Martin Vicario was born in Burgos, Spain on September 10, 1966. He did his primary training at the Juniorate at Arevalo (Avila), and later at Miraflores (Burgos). The rest of his initial formation, Postulancy, Novitiate, and Scholasticate took place in Salamanca, where he made his first profession in 1986 and his perpetual profession in 1993.
His work in the classroom, apostolate, ministry and animation of youth took place in Segovia, Salamanca, Valladolid, and on the Province Ministry Team. He studied and obtained his Teaching Degree and subsequently his Master?s Degree in Spanish Literature. Later on he earned his Master?s Degree in Theology.