INAUGURATION OF THE MARIST VOCATION YEAR AT EUR

On the 8th September 2004, the three communities of the General House officially inaugurated the Marist Vocation Year by going on a pilgrimage to Madonna della Verità (Our Lady of Truth), a parish of the city of Viterbo, 70 kilometres from Rome. There is a Marist school here, Liceo Scientifico Cardinal Ragonesi, run by the brothers. The brothers of the nearby communities were also invited for the occasion: from San Leone Magno, from the Third Age course at Manziana and of course, from Viterbo.
On this day, we wanted to emphasise three elements:
The community. The choice of a place out of Rome and the decision to go by coach helped us to be together. Also the evening meal, which the brothers at Viterbo organised for the whole group, was a real experience of brotherhood.
Reflection: Before the Eucharist, a short time for reflection helped us to enter into the right atmosphere. We hoped to share together about our lives in small groups, rather than simply respond to the questions that were proposed.
Prayer. The Eucharist saw us united around the altar under the watchful gaze of the Virgin Mary. We entrusted the Marist Vocation Year to our Good Mother and, as Father Champagnat did, we put the whole Institute under her protection. We prayed not only that the ?light? that each of us has received as a gift from the Father would not run out of oil, but also that its flame would become so bright that it could be seen by all, so that they could give glory to our Father in heaven. Brother Seán?s words helped us to enter into the spirit of this vocation year.