Marist Europe

On 13th and 14th February we held a meeting of the Team in Lisbon. Present as members of the Team were Brothers Juan Carlos Fuertes (Mediterránea) – Michel Morel (L`Hermitage) – Carlos Garcia (Iberica) – Antonio Leal (Compostela) and myself. We were joined by Brothers Hipolito Perez and Tony Leon from the Secretariat in Rome.

During Friday, we looked into Pope Francis` document "Witnesses of Joy" looking at the three main themes : gratitude, communion and hope. Then we looked at the expectations of CEM: permanent formation through articles and sharing experiences, the journey towards 2017 etc. – the interprovincial plans for activities for the Brothers – reflection on the mission of older Brothers (a meeting will take place in Valladolid next April) – and support of the Network of communities (the second meeting of the Network will take place next August in El Escorial-Madrid).

Friday evening was spent with the Community of Carcavelos in a school of 1500 pupils where the Spirit of Champagnat is still very obvious. We shared a very convivial meal there.

On Saturday morning we took time to consider the projects envisaged for the next three years. Meetings of small groups will be arranged with a view to preparing for the programme of events for this year. Then we took some time to listen to reports from our different Provinces. The two Brothers from Rome also had the opportunity to speak about the work of the Secretariat.

On Saturday afternoon, in spite of the humid and cold weather, we took advantage of the opportunity to make a brief pilgrimage to Fatima: Marial prayer, a visit to the house of the three child visionaries and the Eucharist in the great Basilica. A good moment to entrust all our different projects to Mary.

With grateful thanks for the welcome received from the Marist Community in Lisbon, we all set off on our journeys home during Sunday.

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Brother Albert André