Reconfiguration was the theme of the Second and Third day of the Meeting of Provincials and District Superiors

Photos | First day

At the General Conference of 2022, one of the intuitions which the leaders of the various Administrative Units raised was the advancement of the on-going reflection and implementation of a canonical reconfiguration within the Institute, based on criteria of vitality, viability and sustainability of Marist life and mission.  During the annual meeting of Provincials and District Superior which is taking place at the General House from the 6^th through the 11^th of March, two days have been dedicated to that theme.

On Tuesday, during the first morning session, Br. Josep Maria Soteras introduced the theme and invited the participants to think about what “reconfiguration” means and if “transformation” is the same as “change” or should we, as an Institute, go beyond just “ structural change”.  He asked the participants to think about “how restructuring could be approached in a prophetic way today.”

During the second morning session, Brothers Ben Consigli and João Carlos do Prado advanced the conversation by asking if reconfiguration is “ a parable of decline or opportunity?” To facilitate this part of the conversation, three leaders were asked to share their recent experiences with reconfiguration based on three questions:

• Why reconfigure?
• What were the key elements within the discernment process? and
• What learnings were gained from this this process of reconfiguration?

Using this criteria, Brothers Gaston Robert (District Leader, District of Canada) explained the process and transformation lived in Canada which recently became a District; Br. Peter Carroll (Provincial, Star of the Sea) shared the discernment process and steps taken as the Province of the Star of the Sea was formed; and Br. Robert Thunus (Provincial, West Central Europe) spoke about the on-going process that the Province of West Central Europe is taking as it becomes a District under the Province of the Hermitage. It became clear that new realities brought on by the process of reconfiguration can also create excellent opportunities for the future of our Marist life and mission. The discussion continues Wednesday, when the leaders continue this conversation and engage in defining the necessary criteria of reconfiguration and steps for the future.

During the afternoon sessions, the Provincials will meet the various Secretariats and Departments to create synergy and to share information on the projects and initiatives that the General Administration is undertaking over the next few years.  On Tuesday afternoon, the Secretariats of Brothers Today and Laity presented their programs.