Programme for future work
The International Marist Patrimony Commission held its annual meeting in Rome from 7 to 12 June.
The participants were Brothers André Lanfrey (co-ordinator), Aureliano Brambila, Michael Green, Ive Strobino, Jaume Parés, Henri Réocreux (secretary) and Robert Teoh. All have had their mandate renewed by the General Council.
The agenda for the meeting included the report on the activities of the Commission, presented by Brother Henri. There was a review of progress on the edition of the Marist Origins, a work undertaken by Brother Paul Sester, as well as a survey of the documents recorded electronically by Brothers Aureliano Brambila and Louis Richard. A new issue of the « Marist Notebooks » is planned, and will be devoted to the iconography of Champagnat. The Commission gave the green light to the « Chronology of the Institute », revised and updated by Brother Jean Ronzon. The final draft is on the point of being sent to the printer.
For the second centenary of the foundation of the Institute, in 2017, a History of the Institute is proposed, destined for the general public, and including both a general history and the histories of the Provinces or Regions. The Commission has conceived the plan of the work as a whole and established the criteria of co-ordination with the editors.
As customary, the Commission hosted a day with the other Marist branches. The fact that the Marist Brothers have a new General Council means further dialogue to find possible joint activities. During this day, Brother André Lanfrey presented a paper on his research on the subject « the French School and Marist spirituality », centred on « Marial slavery and mission » according to Fr. H. M. Boudon. Those present from the other Marist branches were: Sisters Jane Frances Carroll, Superior General SM, and Bridget Brady, SM ; Fathers Larry Duffy, Vicar General of the Marist Fathers, and Carlo Maria Schianchi, their archivist ; and Sisters Georgeanne Marie Donovan, Superior General SMSM, and Emerentiana Cooney, SMSM.
The last day of work was devoted to reviewing the state of work on the Marist University Project intended for teachers, begun by the Mission Commission of the previous General Government.
The members of the Commission were also able to comment on four proposals of change for the cover of the « Marist Notebooks », offered by the office of Direction of Communications. Number 28 of this periodical will appear with a new cover and changes to the presentation within.