Journeying together
Wednesday 13 July marked the conclusion of the Extended General Council of Asia. The road travelled during the previous days led to the three units feeling and thinking more as a Region, finding in the mutual support a source of energy for confronting their own challenges. The need was recognized of forming the Marist Conference of Asia, so as to assure more stable connections among all and the continuation of what had been experienced during these days in Bangkok.
The group reached consensus on various courses deemed priorities and at the same time viable, around the four main areas: Formation, Prayer and Spirituality, Mission, Community.
In the area of Formation, three tracks were mapped out: a program of preparation for perpetual vows for Marist Asia, collaboration with the Bureau of Laity in formation initiatives for the Lay Marists of Asia, ways of possible working together in matters concerning programs of initial formation.
A Commission for Asiatic Marist Spirituality should be set up in the Region, as well as a collection of digital resources for prayer and spirituality.
As for Mission, there was a wish to make the Regional Mission Commission more practical, sharing information more frequently among the Administrative Units and also sharing personnel within the Region.
The central point in the area of Community was the formation of Community Animators.
After an open forum with the Superior General and the whole Council, touching on matters of interest in the Institute, Br Emili Turú underlined the richness of everyone’s participation and the importance of the meeting for the Institute on the great continent of Asia. He thanked the organizing group for its work and the Sector AMAG for hosting the meeting. At the final meal, this thanks was extended to the superior of the house of the Camillans and whole service team.
At the end of the morning, during the celebration of the closing Eucharist, the participants received as a symbol the light of Christ, listening to the call of the Chapter in the various languages present: With Mary, go in haste to a new land!