Provincials of the South America Region visit the LaValla200> Community of Tabatinga

In Tabatinga, on the triple border -Brazil, Colombia and Peru-, a mixed community of Brothers and lay people carries out challenging work with the indigenous and riverine communities of the region, as well as with the immigrants arriving in Brazilian territory. From May 21 to 24, the community was visited by the provincials of Brazil and the Province of Santa Maria de los Andes. Brothers José de Assis Elias de Brito (Brasil Centro-Norte), Benê de Oliveira (Brasil Centro-Sul), Deiveis Fischer (Brasil Sul-Amazônia) and Pablo Gonzalez Franco (Santa Maria de los Andes) were there to reaffirm the importance of the Marist presence in this region, to visit and listen to the members, as well as to the bishop of the diocese.

Place of mission and living the Marist charism

For Brother José de Assis Elias de Brito, the community of Tabatinga is full of meaning: “To be present on a frontier where it is necessary to support and attend to the needy and isolated communities means a lot to us. It is an appropriate place for our charism, because the poorest of the poor are there. Reaffirming our presence in this geographical and existential frontier means guaranteeing Champagnat’s mission”, he mentioned.

The provincials were able to get to know the life and work of the four members of the community: Mayra Gutiérrez Márquez and the married couple, Marcio Guerreiro and Patricia Borja, from Mexico; and Brother Luke Fong from the District of the Pacific.

The Marist mission in the Amazon region also responds to the calls of the VII Provincial Chapter, which asked the Province to witness with prophecy to the Marist charism, in addition to strengthening the option for the poorest in the construction of global citizenship. “There is much to do, and that is why Champagnat’s mission is so important in this context. As provincials of these territories, we need to contribute with the Institute to make this mission viable,” concluded Brother Assisi, Provincial of the Brasil Centro-Norte.

For Marcio Guerreiro, “the Marist presence in this triple frontier is very significant and of great importance for the volunteers and people we have met. We learn a lot and give a little of what little we have, in the face of so many challenges”.

The Brothers Provincial were with some families helped by the community (photo), participated in the celebration of Mass and developed proposals for the advancement of the work in this international community.

With the support and close accompaniment of the leaders of the South America Region, the community of the Lavalla200> project of Tabatinga continues its mission where the Marist charism is most needed: among the least favored, who live in adverse realities and difficult access.