Feeling like a family around the same table

The Christmas formation encounter of animators of the Compostela Province’s youth movement MarCha took place in Valladolid from Dec. 26 – 29. 

The 90 young assistants, distributed by age and phases, participated in one of the three courses offered by the Escuela Champagnat de Tiempo Libre: new animators, initiation to accompaniment and Marist identity.

The younger ones reflected on the MarCha Movement – which many joined as children six years ago – as well as on its educational value, as well as the qualities of an animator. In addition, they learned several resources for their free time: games, songs and dances.

During the accompaniment course, the 34 assistants found a space where they could freely express themselves as well as listen and be listened to. And, above all, a place where they were able to face personal growth and the fears that this entails without feeling alone. 

“Marist identity” was experienced as an opportunity to share one’s own diversity, to listen to one’s heart, to apply the Word to each one’s reality and to feel accompanied during their search of discovering, questioning and rethinking the message of Jesus Christ.

The formation moments have included moments to slow down, to contemplate, to give thanks and to share with others one’s own life. The meals and the table talk were occasions for the three groups to get to know eachother and to enrich eachother mutually, feeling themselves like a family around the same table: that of MarCha, Mary and Champagnat.  

The Eucharistic celebration and the evening “Casi 200” was the festive climax of sharing life with eachother during these three days. Animators of different phases, teachers of the Escuela de Tiempo Libre, a dozen of Brothers linked to MarCha, novices and postnovices of Europe pursued Champagnat’s dream together.