Meeting of Provincials – Wednesday

Photos

The third day of the meeting between the General Council and the Leaders of the Administrative Units, 6^th March, featured work on the reconfiguration of the Institute and information on some of the processes taking place in the area of Marist life.

From Tradition to Transformation: Types of Reconfigurations in the Marist Institute

On the morning, participants at the Provincials’ Meeting once again took up the discussion around the journey of reconfiguration within the Institute, envisioning the future through the lens of a “new Hermitage.” Led by Brothers Ben Consigli and João Carlos do Prado, discussions among Provincials and District Leaders centered on three possible pathways of reconfiguration: internal reconfiguration, canonical reconfiguration, and civil juridic structures reconfiguration. Drawing from past restructuring experiences (1993-2000) and key events like the General Conference of 2005 and the General Chapter of 2009, Brothers Ben and João Carlos emphasized the learning from those experiences: the need for extensive dialogue, visionary leadership, careful preparation, and respect for diversity have been key in the evolutionary processes which have taken place over the decades.

Reconfiguration has been seen as a catalyst for positive change, promising efficiency, strategic planning, collaboration, identity reinforcement, adaptability, improved formation, financial sustainability, and global interconnectedness. It aims to renew and realign the Institute with its mission and charism, emphasizing leadership, mission, formation, planning, community, and financial stewardship.

During the two morning sessions, participants heard firsthand experiences from the various leaders of AUs and regions of the processes undertaken concerning the types of reconfigurations. Brothers Luis Enrique (Mexico-Occidental) and Luis Felipe (Mexico Central), Brother Gabriel Villa-Real (Hermitage) representing the Region of Europe, Brother Peter Carroll (Star of the Sea) and Brother Deivis Fischer (Brazil Sur Amazonia) shared their opportunities, fears, challenges, and benefits encountered in the various types of processes of reconfiguration. Reflective discussions ensued, focusing on encouragement from observed elements and areas needing further discernment for advancing the reconfiguration processes.

In summary, the reconfiguration journey within the Marist Institute signifies a commitment to growth, adaptation, and alignment with its core values. Through reflection, collaboration, and visionary leadership, the Institute strives to navigate change while remaining faithful to its mission and identity.

Marist Life

The afternoon session began at 15:00 with a Marian celebration led by Br Niño Mayor, from the Secretariat for Education and Evangelisation. The Brothers Today Secretariat then presented the participants with the process and content of the new Formation Guide, which is currently being developed and will be submitted to the next General Chapter. Mr. Manu Gómez, Director of the Bureau of the Laity, then presented the process of the International Forum on the Lay Marist Vocation, highlighting the current stage, phase 4, in which work is being done in two areas: identity, formation and bonding; and juridical, civil and canonical structures.

The last part of the day was dedicated to the fraternities.

From tradition to transformation:
the reconfiguration of the Marist Institute

“We now have the strength, energy and resources to discern and take the necessary steps. Let’s not be afraid” (Br. Ernesto Sánchez).

In these days of meeting, it is raining and quite cold at the Hermitage, our mother house, but our hands, our hearts and our spirit of brotherhood remain warm and full of hope, as was true for Champagnat, ready to take unprecedented and necessary steps for the Marist charism.

Today, the General Council gave us the opportunity to discuss vital issues for the Institute and for the charism of Marcellin Champagnat: reconfiguration, the new Formation Guide and the first fruits of the Forum on the Lay Marist Vocation. Here, I will share some personal thoughts and feelings on the process of reconfiguration, including internal, canonical and juridical-civil aspects, for the sake of the future of Marist life and mission. I do so in full harmony with Bishop Helder Câmara, who stressed: “Blessed are those who understand that it is necessary to change a lot in order to be always the same“.

With the process of reconfiguration, the Institute is inviting us to uphold our essence and to “respond boldly to emerging needs”, abandoning old models, structures or even magic formulas, to seek alternative and sustainable ways of living and making God’s love visible, making structures more flexible, without fear of taking risks, in the commitment to remain faithful to the charism, with the vision of the Spirit. It is a process that leads us to read the signs of the times and to formulate new responses to the demands of our time.

It is the Lord who tells us: “we must be born again” (Jn 3:7). And his proposal is a conversion of heart, before any action. This implies a radical decision and openness to the gratuitousness of God in order to be transformed by Him and to transform the reality around us, under the attentive gaze of our Good Mother.

My brothers, “if we are to recapture the spirit of the Hermitage, we must begin where Marcellin began: a relationship with Jesus Christ marked by passion and faith,” Br Sean Sammon told us.

Let us go forward with courage and hope, after all, “we know the rock from which we were hewn” (Is 51:1).

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Br. José de Assis Elias de Brito, Provincial of Brasil Centro-Norte