Results of meeting on initial formation for Brothers will be published within a month
Read more about the Colloquium
The results of a large encounter, which discussed possible changes to the initial formation of Brothers, will be published within a month in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.
“They are a set of conclusions and recommendations that the assembly of the colloquium will offer to the general council,” explained Brother Hipólito Pérez Gómez, assistant director of the secretariat Brothers Today.
The results, titled ‘Contributions of the Colloquium for the Marist Initial Formation’, are divided into three sections: convictions, guidelines and recommendations.
“They cover seven topics, which we consider as fundamental in initial formation,” Br Hipólito told the general house press office on Oct. 16.
They are ‘on the processes and structure of the initial formation, joint formation of Brothers and laity, internationality and global availability, communities and ecosystems, vocation ministry, Brothers for a new beginning, and formators.’
The colloquium was organised by Brothers Tony Leon and Hipólito of the secretariat Brothers Today, the two general councillors Brothers Ernesto Sánchez and Eugène Kabanguka – who are the links to the secretariat – and Brothers Miguel Angel Espinosa Barrera and Carlos Saúl Corzo Uribe organised the logistics.
One of the recommendations is to ensure the learning of two of the Institute’s languages during initial formation.
Br Hipólito affirmed that although the Marists are known for their education ministry, “we need to speak about being seekers of God, universal brotherhood and going out to the peripheries’.”
“When we come into contact with young people, we have to talk to them about these three points when speaking of the identity of the Brother,” he added.
The international colloquium took place in Hermitage, France, from Oct. 4 – 14 with 75 Marists including young Brothers, formators, laity, provincials, the full general council, and coordinators of vocation ministry.
“It was a very meaningful and profound experience, with a lot of joy and communion,” said Br Hipólito. “It was a passage of God through this event.”
He reflected on the time that the young Brothers shared their experience of initial formation during the colloquium.
“For me, there was a satisfaction for all the process lived but also a call to update us and to respond to current sensibilities of young people,” stated Br Hipólito.
Br Eugène underscored that the recommendations he thinks are important include the formation of lay people and having greater contact with the poor.
“It was beautiful,” he remarked. “It all flowed really well and there were no tensions or rush.”
“Brothers Tony and Hipolito worked really hard as well as Brothers Miguel Angel and Saúl,” stated Br Eugène.
Br Hipolito told that the recommendations will be published by mid-November and will be released to provincials, formation teams and the participants of the Colloquium.