Province Brasil Sul-Amazônia holds Marist Mission Assembly

The first Marist Mission Assembly of the Province of Brasil Sul-Amazônia, held from 26 to 29 October, brought together more than 130 participants, brothers and laypeople. The aim was to reflect on the future of the institution and to propose priorities for the next cycle of management, which will be inaugurated with the Provincial Chapter to be held from 23rd to 26th November, with the installation of Brother Deivis Alexandre Fischer as Provincial for the next three years, appointed by the General Council.

Following four days of reflection, discussion and exchanges, the representatives drew up a manifesto letter summarising all the proposals and handed it over to the preparatory commission of the Third Provincial Chapter.

“We are working on a project that is not ours, but God’s, and God expects us to be his collaborators. The mission is set out, we are called to collaborate in promoting life, caring for our common home and being prophets of hope with audacity, discernment, co-responsibility and a common purpose”, said Br. Ignacio Etges, the current Provincial, as he began the work of the Assembly.

The Assembly programme included four formation panels on the following themes:

• The Marist Mission in the world: advances, challenges and possibilities.
• The scenario of the Church in the world, according to the pontificate of Pope Francis.
• The role of young people in the Marist mission.
• The Marist Mission in the Province of Brasil Sul-Amazônia.
• The panels were led by speakers who presented important data and information on each of the themes.

Different visions and voices of Marist Mission

The Marist Mission Provincial Assembly began months before the October event. Since the month of August, all the areas of action of the institution had time for listening with their collaborators / and interlocutors; and the Marist Brothers and directors also responded to the evaluation survey for the Triennium 2019-2021. The results of these participations were analysed by the Preparatory Commission of the Assembly and compiled in a report with the contribution of the researchers of the “Observatório Juventudes PUCRS/Rede Marista”. The highlights of the two surveys were: social dimension; synergy; joint action of laypeople and brothers; culture and art; evangelisation in practice; protagonism; people management; Amazon Region; and health.

In order to analyse all this data and to continue with the reflections proposed in the formation panels, the representatives present at the Assembly were divided into 17 working groups.

The themes developed in the forums are based on the above-mentioned letter, delivered during the closing Mass of the Assembly, to Br. Onorino Moresco, coordinator of the Preparatory Commission of the Third Provincial Chapter.