Closing of the VII Provincial Chapter of Santa Maria de los Andes
“What role do we Marists of Champagnat of Santa Maria de los Andes have to play today in order to be the presence of God in the midst of all that we are living in Bolivia, Peru and Chile? I believe that Mary gives us the key”, said Brother Ernesto Sánchez, Superior General, referring to the 19th anniversary of the Province of Santa María de los Andes, celebrated on 15 August, during the closing of the VII Provincial Chapter, which assumed on 11 July.
During his virtual presentation, Br. Ernesto thanked Br. Saturnino once again for his dedication during these 7 years as leader at the service of the province. He also thanked Br. Pablo Gonzales for accepting to serve the Institute as provincial leader. He also thanked the new provincial council, made up of Brothers Isidro Azpeleta, Alfonso García, Álvaro Sepúlveda, Juan M. García, Patricio Pino and Pedro Herreros. The Superior also congratulated the liaison councillors, Óscar Martín Vicario and Sylvain Ramandimbiarisoa, for their participation and accompaniment.
Addressing the 37 Brothers and 34 lay people present online, Br. Ernesto, connected from Mexico, thanked everyone for having made it possible to hold the VII Provincial Chapter online. “It is the first time in the Institute, and certainly with the authorisation of the Vatican, that it has been carried out in this way, 100% virtually”, said Brother Ernesto, speaking about the holding of the Chapter,
“I congratulate you on the guidelines you are offering to the provincial council. I see that you have chosen crucial areas, the area of life, brothers and laity, charismatic sustainability, vocational animation, ongoing formation. Because in all this we are making progress”, said Br Ernesto. And he added, “thanks to each one of you for your dedication and for making Marcellin Champagnat’s dream come alive in Bolivia, in Chile and in Peru”.
Brother Pablo, Provincial, also thanked everyone for their participation: “May the charismatic light that Marcellin lit shine today in our provincial community. And borrowing Marcellin’s words, I leave you in the hearts of Jesus and Jesus Christ. I leave you in the hearts of Jesus and Mary until we meet again.
The closing of the VII Provincial Chapter of Santa Maria de los Andes, held on 15 August, coincided with the anniversary of the birth of the Province, the celebration of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven and the celebration of the Marist Patronal Feast.