Response to the new technologies

The house at Manziana, some 60 km from Rome, has been once more the site of a meeting of the Marist General Councils. It took place from 19 to 21 January, with Brothers Barry Burns and Antoine Kazindu providing a fraternal and generous welcome. Marist Sisters, Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary,  Marist Fathers and Marist Brothers were present – 19 participants in all – with their respective Superior Generals, Sisters Jane and Georgeanne, Fr John Hannan and Br Emili. Apart from the possibility of enjoying a convivial and extended time together in a spirit of family, there were intense moments of prayer and the sharing of experiences. The reflection this year centred on the theme « Technology / Communication and our response as Marists ».

The message of Pope Benedict XVI for World Communications Day 2011 – Truth, proclamation and   authenticity of life in the digital age – inspired all present with its positive tone, open to encounter with the new reality of a technology and communication as a great chance to be seized, including for the evangelical values. Several interest groups were formed for the practical activities of processing and putting into practice some of these new technologies. Then, all together and in Councils, the participants tried to draw some practical consequences for their own government and for formation activities in the respective Institutes. The group considered the meeting very positive and expressed their thanks to the organisation team: Sr Rita, sm, Sr Nive, smsm, Fr Alejandro, sm, and Br Ernesto, fms, which had had the benefit of the technical support of Br Marcelo De Brito. A longer meeting is planned for January 2013, at Notre-Dame de l’Hermitage, as an opportunity for a common pilgrimage to the places of the Marist origins.