Official launching of the Chapter?s message
The new general government officially launched the Message of the XXII General Chapter on Nov. 24 at the general house.
“I present you all the Chapter document,” affirmed superior general Brother Ernesto Sánchez during a Mass held at the main chapel. “We wanted this to be the moment that we launch this document. These are the calls, the main lines of action we want to take.”
During the Eucharistic celebration, vicar general Brother Luis Carlos Gutiérrez and general councillors Brothers João Carlos do Prado and Óscar Vicario handed members of the general administration, staff and friends of the Institute a copy of the message, printed in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.
The event also aimed at celebrating the Chapter with those who had not been able to travel to Colombia.
At the start of the Mass, Brothers João Carlos, Óscar, Ernesto and Luis Carlos lit a candle on behalf of the eight general councillors. The four other general councillors – Brothers Benjamin Consigli, Josep Maria Soteras, Sylvain Ramandimbiarisoa and Kenneth Charles McDonald – were not able to attend as they have not yet arrived in Rome.
As they lit the candles, the superior of the general house community, Brother Antonio Sancamillo, announced the names of the eight recently elected general councillors and told the congregation that “these Brothers will carry the light to the Brothers and the Marist works of the whole world.”
“These candles represent the Paschal candle that is the source of our faith,” he added.
During the offertory, members of staff and Brothers carried five paintings of Brother Tony Leon, director of the Brothers Today secretariat, that represent the five calls of the Chapter.
Participants, which included also members of the San Leone Magno School and friends of the Institute, then took part in an aperitif at the Champagnat Hall, followed by dinner at the dining room of the hotel next to the general house.
For more information and to read the full Message of the XXII General Chapter, click here. Below is a video on the event.