Continuing a history that has come a long way!
The motherhouse of Notre-Dame de l'Hermitage, built by Marcellin Champagnat himself, hosted the 5th Chapter of the Province of l'Hermitage, which took place from Aug. 1 – 5.
The Marist province, inaugurated in 2003 as the result of a restructuration, includes France, Catalonia, Greece, Hungary, Algeria and Switzerland, with the explicit will to live shared projects with internationality. It is now home to 290 brothers with its base located in the French city of Lyon.
In the fifth chapter, 50 brothers and eight lay people took part, as well as superior general Brother Emili Turú and general councillor brother Antonio Ramalho.
Participants were distributed in eight tables to facilitate a dynamic of exchanging and consensus.
Brother Maurice Berquet opened the chapter and welcomed the participants. He passed the word to the new provincial, Brother Pere Ferré, and thanked many people, especially Brother Pere.
Then, an object from Africa was given to the new provincial, which reminded one of the delicate mission entrusted to him.
Superior general Brother Emili Turú then spoke, receiving his inspiration from two icons. The icon of Friendship and the icon of the Trinity. The second icon related to the fertility of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.
Br Pere briefly thanked Brothers Maurice and Emili for their words. “Let us not begin from zero, we are heirs of a long history, which we must continue.”
The central commission, presided by the new provincial brother, is formed by Brothers Gabriel Villa-Real, Jean Ronzon, Jaume Parés, Bernard Régis and George Vidalis.
The chapter studied several documents: the report of the provincial council, the synthesis of the encounters of the preparation, the economic report and the letter of Brother Emili Turú to the province, an echo of the responses given at the election of the provincial.
At the end of the day, the participants climbed up to La Valla, cradle of the Marist Institute. The Eucharist, the dinner and an evening closed a day of intense, deep and shared listening.
The chapter went to focus on its activity towards the future, a new triennial, through the formulating of new guidelines.
“The fifth Gospel.”
The first presentation was made of the work of Brother Henri Vergès, assassinated in Argelia on 8 May 1984 due to his faith.
The proposed guidelines and dialogue, voted for by the chapter, related to six areas: the Marist laity, formation and accompaniment, evangelization, peripheries, Marist spirituality and communication.
The last day was highlighted by the election of provincial councilors and the approval of a message to the Province of the Chapter rules and provincial standards.
Brothers Xavier Giné, Mateos Levantinos, Manel Martín, Michel Morel, Jaume Parés, Jean Ronzon, Ramon Rúbies and Gabriel Villa-Real were chosen as councillors.
The Mass at the end of the morning brought feelings of joy and gratitude.
In the afternoon, Provincial Brother Pere Ferré, addressed the participants with his message.
A final prayer, around the shrine of Marcellin Champagnat, concluded the works of the fifth Chapter.