Meeting of Provincials – Friday
The theme of the the fifth day, 8 March, of the Meeting of the General Council with the Superiors of the Adminitrative Units was “The future – a New Hermitage: life and mission”.  Br. Josep Maria Soteras, General Councillor, led the opening prayer of the day. The group meditated on the construction of the Mother House of the Institute as a parable of Marist history and reflected, in a contemplative way, on the role of each one in the construction of the new Hermitage.
The call to actively participate in the building of the new “house” was the backdrop to the first session, led by General Councillors Ben Consigli, Ă“scar MartĂn and Ken McDonald. Ben Consigli reflected on co-creation, a divine characteristic to which we are all called; we are all co-creators with God. Marists do this in a particular way, especially through education, youth ministry and advocacy. How does the Institute do this? In recent years, we have encouraged the development of networks (Champagnat Global, Higher Education, Marist Youth Ministry, Publications and Solidarity) and solidarity (FMSI, Volunteering, Global Fund), among others. At the same time, cooperation in the work of creation is a feature of accompaniment and community life, and this needs to be increased in the Institute.
Following on from this, Br. Oscar highlighted how the brothers are co-creators through Marist Religious Life. He emphasised that reflection on the life of Marist Brothers must go hand in hand with Marist mission and the promotion of lay Marist life. With this in mind, the participants were asked how they envisioned the Institute in the future, what Marist religious life would be like. According to Br. Oscar, this requires commitment and determined action, with concrete steps. The new Hermitage has to be a construction with a new mentality. And he asked: “Are we prepared to live in a small institute, with less powerful provinces, with a reduced presence? How can we live a prophetic life while being so fragile? He then invited the group to take some time for reflection and for each one to propose at least one idea of what community life and the spirituality of the brothers should be like in the future.
The third part of the first session dealt with the theme of the next General Chapter. Br. Ken, coordinator of the Preparatory Commission, announced that the General Council, in its February plenary session, had decided that the Chapter will be held in the Philippines from 8 September to 8 October 2025. He then outlined some of the ideas the Commission is working on for the pre-Chapter process. This will begin this coming September with the letter of convocation from the Superior General. Two essential points being discussed are being inclusive and the need to look to the future. The commission is thinking of three moments in the process: listening to reality (consecrated life, spirituality, fraternity, lay Marist vocation, MIMA III, local reality, administrative units); listening to the outside world (what is generating life, what is challenging us?); at the level of our administrative unit (where do we find vitality? What are the realities and developments that are challenging to us? What is their message/suggestion for the Chapter). Br. Ken then asked the participants to reflect at their tables to formulate proposals for the Preparatory Commission for the XXIII General Chapter.
Financing Marist life and mission
Br Jorge Gaio, Bursar General, in the second session of the morning, addressed the sustainability and financing dimension of Marist life and mission. The Institute is a global family also as regards resources, where it is necessary to work on sustainability, leadership and innovation, as was highlighted at the Bursars’ meeting in 2023. Br Jorge stressed that, for the future, it is necessary to balance economy and mission as two integrated realities. Then, assisted by Br Goyo Linacero, he presented how they intend to draw up a plan for financing the life and mission of the Institute. Three measures are required for putting this plan together: redefining the criteria for contributions paid by AUs to the General Administration; the creation or increase of “restricted funds”; the creation of a process of voluntary donations capable of generating sustainability for AUs, through the construction or extension of educational works capable of generating financial resources. There is a strategy behind these initiatives to reduce the financial dependence of the General Administration on the provinces, in helping to build up our global family and fostering the sustainability of all AUs. At the end, the Provincials, at their tables, were able to share about this process and make suggestions for its further development.
Institute News and prayer in fraternity groups
The afternoon session began with a marial prayer led by Mr Manu Gomez, director od the Secretariat of the Laity. Reminding everyone that it was International Women’s Day, he led them in singing the Magnificat in a novel and alternate manner.
Some moments to pass on information followed. Br Guillermo José Villarreal Cavazos, Postulator General, gave participants a panoramic view of the Brothers’ causes of canonisation (Spanish Martyrs, Lycarion, François, Basilio Rueda, Henri Vergès). He also encouraged everyone to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the canonisation of Saint Marcellin next month. Then, Br Ernesto, Superior General, spoke about coming events concerning everyone, with special mention given to courses of ongoing formation. The Provincials, in their turn, had the chance to react and ask questions about other matters.
The day concluded with evening prayer followed by supper in the eight fraternity groups.
From a little chapel in the woods and an old mill
The strength of the rock remains the inspiring image of these days of encounter and fraternity. A rock that was a challenge to the determination and enthusiasm of Champagnat and that ended up being transformed into a strong house, a home where the dreams of an expanding family, going out, in search of new spaces took shape.
And this has been the focus of our work and reflection for today: we come from that house built on rock and we are moving towards a future that encompasses the whole world. We believe in a God who is continually creating. And we are co-creators. We contemplate our history from within, from those who feel committed to boldly unfolding the full potential of the Marist charism. In this creative fidelity our life is at stake.
Today’s reflection is an invitation to return to the first call and, from that vocational moment that defines us, to project our best dreams of a new and fuller consecrated life. We have talked and shared about the future of our Institute. We shared our dreams in the areas of community life, spirituality and Marist mission. Our reflections are intended as a humble contribution to this process of discernment for the entire Marist family, which will culminate in the celebration of the XXIII General Chapter in September 2025.
The day ends and my heart returns to the first moment of morning prayer in the chapel, where we were invited to contemplate images of the evolution of our Hermitage throughout history. One image, more than any other, caught my full imagination: it is a drawing showing the surroundings of the Hermitage in 1824, before the construction. On the banks of the Gier there were only two simple buildings: the chapel in the woods and a mill. Nothing more. From there, from a little chapel in the woods and an old mill, a story full of life and names begins. A story that continues. A house that is still under construction, always creating new spaces for the Spirit to blow.
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Br Aureliano GarcĂa Manzanal – Provincial of Mediterranea
