International Course for Leaders and Animators of the Lay Marist Vocation
During the months of January and February, the first two modules of the International Course for Leaders and Animators of the Lay Marist Vocation, promote d by the Institute’s Secretariat of Laity, were held. A third section will take place in March. It is being held virtually and is the second edition of this course, after the one held in Rome in 2015.
The objectives of the course are:
– To enable lay men and women to take on responsibilities of animation in lay formation processes at all levels (local, provincial and international).
– To encourage co-responsibility for the lay processes of the Institute, in harmony with the Secretariat.
– To promote an approach to the current theological thinking of the Church in relation to the laity.
– To help to raise awareness of the call to be mystics and prophets as lay animators.
– To favour the understanding and experience of spiritual itineraries for vocational processes.
– To create awareness and international unity of the Marist laity.
Some 45 people (lay people and brothers) from the regions of Africa, Asia and Europe are participating and will finish this course in March. Between March and June, the same formative experience will take place for the participants from the regions of Arco Norte, América Sur and Oceania.
The first week of the course took place on 11, 12 and 13 January 2022, and dealt with the block “Theology of the laity and the lay Marist vocation”. It involved an approach to the theological thinking of the Church on the laity, after the celebration of the Second Vatican Council, and a deepening of the journey that has been made in our Charismatic Family, inspired by the reflection contained in the documents “Gathered around the Same table” and “Being Lay Marist”. It was animated by Ana Sarrate, Marist of the Province of IbĂ©rica, and by Manu GĂłmez, From Mediterránea, Assistant Director of the Secretariat of the Laity.
In the second week, on 15, 16 and 17 February 2022, there was a block on “Leadership and animation of the lay Marist vocation”. It was led by Br. Luis Carlos GutiĂ©rrez, Vicar General, Tony Clarke, Lay Marist from Australia, and Agnes Reyes, from Philippines, Assistant Director of the Secretariat of the Laity.