New relationship between Brothers and Laity
Marist Brothers and laity of the Province of Rio Grande do Sul participated in the Retreat for Brothers and Laity – an experience of deepening in Veranópolis from Nov. 5 – 8.
The section of Marist Spirituality and Patrimony, of the Coordination of Consecrated Life and the Laity of the Marist network organised the evenet, which included 43 brothers and laity, not only from the Marist network but also from other Marist provinces of Brazil and representatives from Umbrasil.
The retreat offered moments of listening and reflection, especially on the deepening of the new relationship between Brothers and laity, under the theme 'Together a new beginning'.
Director of the secretariat of laity Brother Javier Espinosa, who motivated the retreat, favored moments of reflection, prayer and of sharing on the calls of God and of the institute related to communion between Brothers and laity and the exchange of experiences in the Marist world.
The theme responded to the calls of the XXI general chapter, which invited to a new relationship between Brothers and laity to better serve the thrilling and exciting mission which the Church entrusts to us.
In his letter 'The future has a heart of a tent,' Brother Emili Turú underscores that “we do not fully know what road our steps should follow but we are happy about it, as we walk under the Spirit’s inspiration and encouraged by the Lord’s promise, ready to assemble and disassemble our tent as often as needed.”
“Like Mary, the Pilgrim of Faith, we want impermanence to be our permanent dwelling, staying put in concreteness, moving on together as we discern the calls of the Spirit,” he continues.
The experience strengthened the relationship of communion and encouraged the participants in the search for new horizons and initiatives to share life.
Regina Biasibetti, lay person from MChFM and collaborator of the Marist network said that the experience had been renovating and motivating: “I am certain that together, brothers and laity – men and women – are better prepared to assemble a new tent in this new beginning.”