Lavalla Weekend

Working to recapture the spirit and excitement of the early days of the Institute, young people and adults, young and old, journeyed to the Marist Brothers’ Center at Esopus during the weekend of October 12-13, 2013 to participate in the Lavalla Weekend Experience. The project, a joint effort of the staff of the Marist Brothers’ Center at Esopus and the USA Provincial Offices of Evangelization and Vocations, provided participants with a weekend of prayer, community, and service. More than thirty members of our Marist Family from around the USA worked together to build and complete the Champagnat Meditation Path.

This year’s project was the construction of a Champagnat Meditation Path adjacent to our Chapel in the Woods. This new meditation area focuses on pivotal moments in the life of our beloved founder, Marcellin Champagnat and allows us to tell the story of our Marist heritage to all who come to Esopus.

The path includes several “stations” where participants can meditate on Marcellin’s life and reflect on the challenges each station presents to those who wish to make the journey with him.

The path ends by the grotto dedicated to Our Good Mother, Mary, which now sits just to the right of the “chest-of-drawers altar” in the chapel area.