Province of « Brasil Centro-Norte »

A group of leaders of the Marist Province of « Brasil Centro-Norte » gathered on 9 March in Taguatinga/DF to reflect on the common and specific elements present in the ways Brothers and laity live the Marist  vocation.

The reflection encouraged the sharing of life of the participants with experiences of the Marist charism lived in a variety of milieus:  education, social, evangelisation, presence with youth, fraternities of the Champagnat Movement and provincial bodies. This sharing was the work base for identifying the common and specific characteristics of the process relative to  vocation.

It was interesting to observe certain salient points: the awakening of a religious vocation was encouraged by a brother’s significant presence; experience of Church preceded the living of the Marist charism; formation activities reinforced the call to vocation; the relationship with the Province and the Institute is nourished in different ways.

At the same time, it seemed evident that the choice relative to the brother’s and the lay vocation lead in different directions: while the brothers live the charism starting from belonging to the institution, the call to vocation felt by lay people touches other areas of life – work, church and social participation  – and interpersonal relationships.

The Forum was judged very positive. It is a first step in the Province and it seems necessary to follow up reflection on other related themes, such as common formation and co-responsibility in mission,taking into account the new relationship between brothers and laity. Many questions have been raised, to be developed in a course of common reflection and construction. There remains a long way to go before the New Land becomes a reality.

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Eder D’Artagnan