International communities for a new beginning

On May 6, seventeen Marist brothers and lay people were welcomed into the general house of the Institute to start the La Valla 200> formation programme, making them the third group.

From May 7 – July 7, they will be discerning and preparing for their experience in international Marist communities.

The welcome began with a prayer encouraging participants to think about their vocation with children and young people, especially those most in need.

Afterwards, they all walked in procession to the chapel carrying representative symbols of the mission: the image of the Good Mother, recalling the Marian face of the Church; the document of the XXII General Chapter, representing the Marists of Champagnat; water, representing the expectation of a new beginning; a plant to remind them that they are at the service of life and a candle, representing the Holy Spirit.

Superior general Brother Ernesto Sánchez then welcomed the participants and thanked everyone for their presence and the generous work of Brothers Chris Wills, Angel Medina, Jeff Crowe and Óscar Martín in organising the programme.

He told the participants three inspirational keywords: call – to listen attentively to the call that comes from God; truth – to realise effective discernment; trust – to abandon one’s self to God so that He can also contribute to the journey.

After the superior general’s words, the participants made a prayer, heard the song “Nous sommes la lumière du monde” (We are the light of the world), expressed in a word what they were feeling about the experience and closed the opening celebration by singing the Salve Regina. Finally, they had a pleasant moment of coexistence.

LaValla 200 – A New Beginning – 2018-05-07 from Rosa Maria Schiaffino on Vimeo.