Message from the 3rd Marist International Mission Assembly
We are a global family, we are brothers and sisters,
we are your eyes and ears, your arms and your heart.
In the mission of Marcellin Champagnat.
To you, Marists of Champagnat
Last Sunday, March 31, 2024, we proclaimed the resurrection of Christ: He lives, hallelujah! A week later, from April 8 to 14, 120 Marists from different parts of the world left their families, communities and ordinary life to celebrate the 3rd Marist International Mission Assembly (MIMA III), in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain.
Following the example of the women of the Gospel who promptly went to the tomb and found it empty, we have gathered to encounter the living Christ and to confirm our choice for dignity and peace, even in the midst of the painful realities that we live in today: violence, war, poverty, inequality.
Convinced of being a global family, Marists of Champagnat from Australia to New Zealand, from Canada to Patagonia, from Liberia to Madagascar, from Lebanon to Korea, from Portugal to Greece, we have brought the voices, concerns, and dreams of all our administrative units, and we have shared the richness of Marist life and mission in very diverse realities. In every corner where there is Marist life, we sing again and again: “We are brothers and sisters, we are your eyes and ears, your arms and your heart in the mission, Champagnat.”
MIMA III was an experience for the entire Marist Institute: spaces for reflection and sharing were opened in the administrative units to recognize reality, our dreams, and possible paths of vitality. Supported with 4 previously designed worksheets, many groups made significant contributions: brothers, teachers, young people, fraternities, teams, families, and people committed to the Marist mission. This wealth served as the foundation to give meaning to the International Assembly.
Some considerations helped us guide the reflection in the Assembly:
- Br. Ernesto Sánchez, Superior General, reminded us of the audacity of our founder to build L’Hermitage at a critical moment, his deep trust in God, and the solidity of his project. Like him, we are called to look beyond, trust in Mary, and walk together as a global family.
- Br. José Abel Muñoz Gutiérrez, Provincial of Iberica, warmly welcomed all of us and encouraged us to embody the pedagogies of smile, care and slowness in Marist mission.
- Br. Luis Carlos Gutiérrez, Vicar General, encouraged us to look with gratitude at the past, be faithful to the present, and build together with a global perspective. We are an apostolic Institute; therefore, our mission is part of our vocation.
- Br. José Sánchez, director of the secretariat of Education and Evangelization and coordinator of the Assembly, urged us to find the reasons why Champagnat would reestablish the Institute today.
- Sister Liliana Franco, president of the CLAR, reminded us of some fundamental elements of the Church: attentive listening, a clear vision grounded in reality, community complementarity, authentic relationships, and passionate commitment.
- Mr. Luis Arancibia, from the Jesuit family, invited us to maintain hope in the face of today’s world of contrasts and transformations from a compassionate, contemplative, civic, and conscious perspective.
- Finally, Brs. Ben Consigli, General Councillor and Jorge Gaio, Econome General, highlighted on our institutional option for vitality, viability, and sustainability, being aware of the challenges and risks we face.
With these elements and with the wealth that we brought from our local and provincial contexts, we opened dialogue to recognize different realities, analyze them with a perspective of hope, and to dream of the future of the charism more in line with the fullness of God.
We begin by focusing on the main global realities that currently harm the lives of children and young people: the violation of their fundamental rights in different contexts, the vulnerability of their development in vital situations, uncertainty in the face of ecological deterioration, the fragility of their comprehensive well-being encompassing emotional, physical, and mental health, the search for one’s own identity, the impact of technology, the need for participation and protagonism, and young people in border situations.
From these realities, we found the fundamental elements to define 7 priorities as general fields of option for us, namely:
- Quality Marist evangelizing education, which forms the world and is transformative.
- Promotion and protection of the rights of children and youth.
- Marist spirituality as a source of meaning and care for life.
- Participation and commitment of children, adolescents, and young people, through spaces for active and sensitive listening.
- Caring for family relationships to nourish children and young people.
- Caring for our common home.
- Promotion of mental health, well-being, and comprehensive care of people.
Finally, we complement these priorities with some guidelines and suggestions for strategies that allow us to focus efforts and globally boost our attention.
The image of L’Hermitage has accompanied us all these days. Much more than a simple building, Marcellin built a home and a space to welcome the Marist family that was beginning to develop. There he gathered the brothers, and from there they went on a mission. In the same way, we have experienced a Hermitage in this International Mission Assembly: we feel safe because of the foundations and its solidity, we have opened the doors and windows, the Gier refreshes us with its vital passage, and it drives us to go out on the mission with a renewed spirit.
And especially, from the same image, we look at the entire world: we have spoken as communities and not as individuals, we have listened carefully to the voices of others as sacred ground, we have reflected, and we have given a global response. Like those on the road to Emmaus, it is now time to return home and experience what we have seen and heard.
Thanks to Br. Abel Muñoz, Provincial, and the Marist Province of IbĂ©rica for receiving us and taking care of us; these days we felt truly at home. Thanks to countless details that accompanied us: a song, the Eucharist, a video, the graphic record, a prayer, a dance, chocolate (and more chocolate!), the translations, a digital message… everything contributed to the success of the Assembly. Thanks to the La Salle family, the Marist Sisters, and the Marist Missionary Sisters for their positive and pastoral presence. Deep thanks to the preparatory commission that planned, organized, and accompanied every moment: the Assembly fulfilled its goal, largely because of their good work.
We are aware that there are great challenges, and that we must continue walking together. We are encouraged by the conviction to recognise ourselves as brothers and sisters, adding our voices and our actions in favor of a world worthy of all. The Marist mission depends both on the brothers from their choice of being consecrated and on the laypeople, women, and men, who choose to integrate the charism of Saint Marcellin into their life project. We want to look further, continue dreaming, and build on solid rock, as Champagnat did with L’Hermitage.
In 2007, MIMA I was held in Mendes, Brazil, South America. There we confirmed our conviction of being “one heart, one mission.” In 2014, the fire of MIMA II spread from Nairobi, Kenya, Africa, to all latitudes with the call to be “new Marists in mission.” We have now participated in MIMA III from El Escorial, Spain, Europe, to encourage the Institute to strengthen its mission and illuminate the decisions that will be made in the XXIII General Chapter, to be held in Manila, Philippines, Asia. We are not alone: Mary, Our Good Mother, holds us in her tender arms. It is not our project but hers; it is she who guides our gaze and our options.
With the deep joy of understanding each other’s diversity, internationality, and multiculturalism, we sing once again: WE ARE A GLOBAL FAMILY.
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Participants in MIMA III
April 2024