Gier 2024 program in Marist sites

The formation program for young brothers, “Gier“, started on May 29th. After two weeks at the General House, the group has been at Notre Dame de I`Hermitage since June 13, where they are continuing their program, which will end on June 27. Fifteen Brothers are participating, accompanied by a team formed by Brothers Tony León (Star of the Sea) and Ataíde José de Lima (Ongoing Formation Team), supported by the directors of the Brothers Today Secretariat, Br. Angel Medina and Br. Lindley Sionosa.

Br. Mario Valia, from Angola, Province of Southern Africa, tells of the experience that the group is living in the Marist places.

Back to the origins

I’ve always wondered why we like to return to our roots. Could it be that affection disappears? Why is it that we see joy and emotion fill the hearts of the Brothers when they visit the house and places where they lived and spent time in their lives? Could it be that we have the same longing to return to the origins where our first Brothers lived, such as the remote villages of Le Rosey, La Valla, and Notre Dame de I`Hermitage?

And those who never returned to these origins might feel joy when seeing a photograph or reading a brief description. This is exactly what I was able to see these days, in our GIER program, in France.

Now, I can hardly imagine how 208 years ago, our first Brothers, together with Father Champagnat, were able to live their vocation intensely in the conditions in which they lived, which were sometimes deplorable. However, from the vestiges of the Lavalla table and the Hermitage, it is perceived that there was more joy than I feel today, and, perhaps you, dear Brother, will be more joyful than I feel today.

Today, this joy becomes a reality when and where we live in community. Of course, when I talk about community, I mean living together and not just being under the same roof. Times have changed, and returning to our origins has become easier and turned into a ritual that our people have wisely embraced. In addition to celebrating the bonds of friendship between family and friends, which translates into usually lively gatherings, we participate in festivities that always bring us comfort.

Times have changed for our congregation as well. Today it is easier to return to our origins as a physical and spiritual place, and so we can live and feel what our first brothers experienced with Father Champagnat, whom they asked to be called “Father”.

My experience in the GIER program, in the humble community of La Valla, the cradle of our history, in the company of my Brothers, has been like returning to my first ties with the Brothers, who helped me to discern my vocation, of which I am very proud. I feel that the time has come to walk and give more life to my Marist vocation and mission, within my capabilities.

The achievements made as a group along the Champagnat Route, from Rosey to the Hermitage, have demonstrated the cohesion and fraternity of the group. Physically, it was not easy to cover the 30 kilometers, but we had a goal. We walk keeping three dimensions in mind: the physical dimension (bodily endurance to reach the goal), patience (waiting for the less physically able) and the spiritual dimension (reflecting on the meaning of walking).

I have noted the renewal of the spirit in this return to the origins. I have noticed the gradual effort to free ourselves from the limits we have in order to open ourselves to fraternal dialogue, which sometimes prevent us from living together fully. It is a joy to return to our origins, to renew the spirit that is within us, and that we always need to nurture.

Our promise at Fourvière, where Father Champagnat also made his commitment, made us more aware of who we are and what our mission is. Now it remains to break the Rock of fear, of loneliness, of superiority, of isolated life, to carve the Stone of firmness in vocation, in building community and family spirit.

This does not mean that the road is free of challenges: it is possible to live despite the obstacles. he life of the first Brothers was not easy either, but it was exemplary, each one with his own limitations and abilities.

May Mary help me live my vocation intensely. Thank you for the opportunity to return to the origins.

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Br. Valia Mário – Angola, Southern Africa