Marist Province of Central-South Brazil

The Province of « Central-South Brazil » held its provincial chapter on 5 and 6 December 2008, at Curitiba, PR, in the locations of the PUC and of the Marist Centre Marcellin Champagnat (CMMC). The opening took place in the CMMC, with the approval of the order of the day and the constitution of the central commission. The capitulants numbered 37 : 35 elected delegates (26 perpetually professed and 9 temporary) and two delegates by right. Br. Antonio Ramalho, Counsellor General, came especially from Rome to express the support of the Br Superior General and his Council.

At 10h30 the festal Mass began in the chapel of the university parish of the PUC, to mark the transfer of power to Br. Davide Pedri, the new Provincial. Those who took part in the Eucharist were the brother capitulants, other brothers invited, and numerous lay collaborators. The celebrants were Mgr João Carlos Seneme, auxiliary bishop ; Mgr Pedro Fedalto, bishop emeritus, and the Marist Fathers José Roberto and José María. At the time of the homily, Brs. Tercílio Sevegnani and Davide Pedri said a few words. The act of transfer of authority was made concrete by the handing over to Br. Davide, by Br. Tercílio, of an icon of the Holy Family which he had received himself at the beginning of his first term in 2002. The Eucharistic celebration was followed by a festive meal in one of the restaurants of the PUC, in which the brothers and some invited lay people took part.

From the afternoon of 5 December and for the whole day of the 6th, the activities of the provincial chapter followed their usual course in the premises of the CMMC, with the evaluation of the report for the three years 2006-2008 and the election of the new provincial council. The members are the following : Brs. Délcio Afonso Balestrin, Antônio Benedito de Oliveira, Adriano Brollo, Joaquim Sperandio, Jorge Gaio y Dario Bortolini.