Itineraries of Marist Spirituality
From 31 March to 2 April, there was a meeting of the formators of Itineraries of Marist Spirituality (IDEM), organized by the Team of Shared Life and Mission of the Province of « Compostela » at Roxos, Santiago de Compostela (Spain).
The meeting, held every year since the Team of Formators was set up in 2007, was intended to serve as a platform of formation for those who will become responsible for the animation teams of the IDEM. The group was composed of 30 persons, brothers and laity, of all ages, Spanish and Portuguese, who spent these days in reflection, formation and exchange with the reference persons in the area of spirituality.
In this year’s meeting, which was held as usual in a Marist family ambiance, we were accompanied by Br. Javier Espinosa, director of the Bureau of Laity, who shared with us his formation, reflection and experience, and we were grateful for his presence. Br. Oscar Martín, Provincial, was also present at certain moments and encouraged us to move forward. He expressed his gratitude for the time and generosity we devoted to this project of life and future.
This year, it was Siro López (Christian artist, creator and expert in bodily expression) who animated the formation and shared his experience with us. He helped us integrate the bodily dimension of the person in the development of the spirituality in a very practical way. We also took time to reflect on the Marist spirituality enshrined in the documents Water from the Rock and Around the same table.
Our reflection touched on another important theme, the recent birth in the Province of several groups of Marist spirituality formed of brothers and lay people. After three years of life and work based on the IDEM, attended by almost 300 persons, some group situations and propositions have arisen so as to give orientation to this newborn life and strengthen it. To make a response to this reality, we took time to read the framework document proposed to us by the Team of Shared Life and Mission, and made some contributions to complete it.
And finally we formed the teams which will animate the six IDEM proposed for the next school year: « You will be Champagnat today », “The Oasis of the educator », « Prepare the way », « The way of knowledge », « God of the new » and « Silent music ».
These days have helped us to live in close brotherhood, to form ourselves, and to continue making the journey together, « around the same table ».