Forum reflects about forms of bonding and structures for the Marist laity.
The fifth day of the International Forum on the Lay Marist Vocation opened with a reflective prayer, invoking the Holy Spirit and by singing “Ruah” (creative breath), was led by Brother Toni Torrelles. In the spirit of contemplation and as a sign of diversity under one same mission, each participant dipped their hands in paint and was asked to leave their handprints on a mural capturing the multiculturality of the Marist family.
As the participants continued to reflect and contemplate on their work, the focus of the day centered around objective 3, which was “To reflect on and propose possible ways of belonging (bonding) ourselves to the Marist charism”.
Manu Gómez Cid, Director Assistant of the Secretariat of the Laity, invited everyone to reflect on the questions presented in the previous days’ meeting (previous chronicles), inviting the group to continue walking and journeying together, so that together we can “better serve the world, especially the young people and children”.
The table, or fraternity leaders, presented to the assembly a synthesis of the questions which served as a reflection for the day and focused on “bonding, modalities and the need to support the processes of lay people who feel called to walk a path towards bonding to the Marist charism”.
Throughout the day, activities were carried out by the work groups, with the purpose of identifying and naming those essential elements to be considered when talking about how the laity can bond to the Marist charism.
After fruitful and productive dialogues and sharing, the participants were able to complete their task and move to addressing objective #4 of the assembly which was “to know, reflect, explore and propose possibilities of juridical structures (civil and canonical) for the Marist laity.”
Late that afternoon, Br. Luis Carlos Gutiérrez, Vicar General and Br. José María Soteras, General Councilor, presented, in a pedagogical way, the range of possibilities for the laity to connect themselves with the Marist charism. They mentioned the time when Marcellin Champagnat felt that the house at La Valla was too small and Champagnat did not hesitate to build a larger one because the community was growing… Today, like then, we Marists are continuing to grow, lay men and women who wish to live and connect to the Marist charism because it gives meaning to their lives and provides them with a sense of mission.
The day closed with a prayer, keeping in mind that, as Marists, we joyfully come to share at the same table.