2022-11-04 GENERAL HOUSE

Opening day of the 3rd stage of the International Forum on the Lay Marist Vocation

Photos

Today, November 4th, was the opening day of the 3rd stage of the International Forum on the Lay Marist Vocation, in which 94 Marists of Champagnat are participating representing the 6 regions, consisting of 27 administrative units.

The meeting began with a contemplative dance led by Brother Toni Torrelles and a reflective prayer.

Afterwards, Brother Ernesto Sánchez, Superior General (PDF: English | Español | Français | PortuguĂŞs) thanked the participants and teams for their presence. In his opening address, he invited everyone to listen deeply to the yearning of their hearts and to the intuitions that the Spirit was offering the group during these days, so that, together, we can concretize the themes and pathways that will allow us to continue to deepen and advance in the lay Marist vocation. Bro. Ernesto states, “I invite you, during these days, to have an attitude of attentive and open listening, to welcome and embrace diversity, as a gift (and not as an obstacle)”.

As previously mentioned during the General Conference, Br. Ernesto, emphasizes that our gaze be sensible, prophetic, global, inclusive, and hopeful. “Let us live these days, like Mary at the Annunciation, with a heart that is free and open to newness. Let us be attentive to the inspirations that the Spirit will give us during these days. And let us live this meeting with an attitude of service to our Institute, as one global Marist family.”

Manu GĂłmez, co-director of the Secretariat of Laity introduced the participants representing each of the regions. He also reminded the group that we are called together by the Spirit of God, in the name of Jesus. Manu continued by recapping the journey and process undertaken that has brought us to this gathering today. He highlighted the motto that inspires us, which is: to welcome, care, live and share our vocation. Lastly, he focused on the four (4) objectives of the International Forum, thus inaugurating the assembly.

Br. Graham Neist, together with Mr. Vanderlei Soela are helping to facilitate this process. They explained the Theory U method that will be used during the gathering. To begin, Vanderlei proposed as a model the scriptural passage of the Disciples on road to Emmaus…Jesus presents himself as a stranger, he presents himself as someone different and proposes an encounter with the other. Jesus presented himself, not as a stranger (foreigner) but as an Alter (other). By using this story, from this perspective, the facilitators invited the participants to…”Listen, ask questions in order to understand and contemplate what arises among us”.

This concludes the first day of the journey, a journey that celebrates our desire to be together as a Marist Family.

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