Meeting of Provincials – Thursday

Photos | Video | Video Salve Regina

The participants in the meeting of Provincials on Thursday, 7^th March, began and ended their activities in the chapel where Fr Champagnat and Br François are laid to rest. These two moments gave shape to the work in the area of mission and solidarity.

Br Óscar Martín, General Councillor, led the morning prayer. With the participants gathered around the tomb of Saint Marcellin Champagnat, he asked all to reaffirm their trust in God; at the tomb of Br François, they celebrated their trust in the Brothers; and at the altar, before the statue of Mary, their trust in our Good Mother.

The two morning sessions were devoted to mission and solidarity, with the aim of reporting on initiatives underway and creating synergies between the leadership of the General Government and those in charge of the Provinces and Districts. The Secretariat of Education and Evangelisation, with Directors Brothers José Sánchez and Niño Mayor, spoke to participants on steps being taken for the III International Marist Mission Assembly (MIMA III) and on the document “In the Footsteps of Marcellin Champagnat: Marist Educational Mission”, which will be launched in April during the MIMA. Brothers Valdícer Fachi and Andrea Rossi then took turns presenting the work of the Solidarity Secretariat on behalf of Br. Angel Diego, who was unable to attend the meeting. Presenting staggering statistics of dramatic situations in the world, they showed how solidarity action is more necessary than ever. They mentioned the assembly of the Marist International Solidarity Network, which will take place next June, and the network of Province Volunteer Co-ordinators, leading the task of setting up the Marist volunteer movement. Andrea, as its director, presented the work accomplished by FMSI, emphasising its willingness to collaborate in fulfilling Champagnat’s dream.

In the second session, Br Ernesto Sanchez, Superior General, informed the Leaders of the Administrative Units of a decision of the General Council to restructure the organisation chart of the General Administration. It concerns the transfer of the department of Collaboration for International Mission (Cmi) to the Solidarity Secretariat. As a result of this change, Br Valdícer Fachi, director of Cmi, has become deputy director of the Solidarity Secretariat. In the context of this new arrangement, the care of the people involved in the Fratelli and LaValla200> projects is to be transferred to the Brothers Today Secretariat. Br João Carlos do Prado presented the revised organisation chart of the General Administration, highlighting the three areas that make it up: Marist Life (Brothers Today and Laity), Shared Services and Marist Mission.

Then Brothers Valdícer and Ángel Medina, Director of the Brothers Today Secretariat, presented the situation of the LaValla200> communities and of the two Fratelli projects in Lebanon and Colombia. Br. Óscar Martín, General Councillor, underlined the new status of the LaValla200> communities, which have the character of being an initiative of the Institute taken up by the regions where they are located. With regard to the Fratelli projects, the participants heard the testimony of the Provincial of Mediterranea, Br. Aureliano García Manzanal, and of the Provincial of Norandina, Br. Orlando Escobar, who host respectively Fratelli Lebanon and Fratelli Maicao. They underlined the prophetic character of this initiative.

In the afternoon there was no programme, but free time for meetings and some rest. The day ended with a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Fr. Bruno Cornier, Vicar General of the diocese of Saint-Etienne.

The strength and spirit that flows from the Rock

To be in L´Hermitage is a grace and revitalizes the Marist spirit from its origins. We are blessed to be born in such simplicity and grown into a global family. The lives of so many Marists committed to the mission is reaching to new frontiers. New initiatives are flourishing, embracing the people in need. Marist mission is so much needed nowadays and have a great potential to face emerging needs.

There are many activities on the way that is fostering the Marist mission.

• Marist international mission assembly is coming up, bring together the experiences and reflections of people passionate for Marist Charism.
• The new edition of the In the Footsteps of Marcellin Champagnat.
• Solidarity projects beyond frontiers.
• International communities, MDA, LaValla200, Fratelli.
• FMSI, NGOs, and organizations supporting projects.
• Local projects, formal and informal that has a great impact in the formation and education of the society.
• Lay people and volunteers passionate about the Marist spirit.
• Other creative initiatives of mutual collaboration with other congregations or institutions.

And the call continues for the Marists of Champagnat.

• Taking courage and risks to move further to the peripheries and urgent needs of the vulnerable people.
• Letting go and promoting structures that generate life, and which are balance: centralized X decentralized.
• Foster more communities and projects with other congregation and institutes.
• There is no need to fear the diminishing of Brothers, assuring that we don’t lose the essential aspects of the Marist Charism, is original inspiration, its values.

I wish that people can feel, experience and be inspired by the strength and the living water flowing from the “Rock” in L´Hermitage, so that Marist life can be re-imagined creatively.

And as I look beyond, I see a bright Marist future, welcoming all people of good will and extending the tent of fraternal care.
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Br Canisio J Willrich – Marist District of Asia