Reflecting on the calls of the XXII General Chapter

From July 13 – 19, 26 brothers and 18 lay people gathered for their third annual retreat at the Recanto Champagnat, in Florianópolis, Brazil.

Brother José María Ferre, from the Mediterránea province, led the group to silence and reflection, reflecting on the Calls of the XXII General Chapter in relation to the guidelines of the Provincial Chapter, as well as on the documents Being a Lay Marist and Identity and mission of the religious brother in the Church.

In addition to the time for personal reflection and for celebrations, each day before the sundown, the participants met in small communities to discuss the themes of the day and especially what inspired the fraternity.

They worked on several themes, such as paths of spirituality, the Marist tradition, the foundations of Christian fraternity and shared life.

Another rich moment was when participants heard the thoughts of Diogo Galline and Juliana Maria Fontoura Galline, who are currently part of the Lavalla200 Programme, at the Atlantis community in South Africa.

This was the third time that lay people participated in this retreat, and the atmosphere of serenity, communion and recognition of the different ways of living the Marist vocation clearly showed the road travelled so far.

“The atmosphere of the retreat, the moments with Brother Ferre and the “desert” proposals, were designed to provide us with a deep spiritual and human reflection,” affirmed Juanalis Meurer, lay Marist.