Retreat for Brothers of the Province of Santa María de los Andes

From November 17-22, a retreat for the Province of Santa Maria de los Andes was held at the Marist Spirituality Center of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. The retreat was animated by Brothers Sylvain Ramandimbiarisoa and Óscar Martín, General Councilors, and was attended by the majority of the brothers of the Province, 40 brothers from Peru, Chile and Bolivia.

The theme of the retreat was “Spirituality of the Heart”, and it was centered on the Genera Chapter’s call and on rereading Marist Spirituality in an apostolic, Marian and experiential key.

The first three days were for shared reflection and deepening. The fourth day was dedicated to prayer, through a “desert day”. Finally, the fifth day was animated by Brother Pablo Gonzalez, Provincial, with more space for dialogue and the concretization of the proposals made in the previous days, and the future prospects of the Province.

The evaluation has shown the satisfaction of the Brothers. And both the conditions of the house and the good work of the provincial team have facilitated some intense and very valuable days.

All the participants felt called to continue deepening the Spirituality of the heart, which touches, permeates and illumines all Marist life and mission.

“One of the challenges that arose during these days was to live our being brothers ‘more connected’ and ‘more unified’, as Mary did,” Brother Oscar emphasized.

Everyone’s heart came out of the retreat a little more ignited and committed to put into life these proposals in the personal and community journey and in the Marist mission of the Province of Santa María de los Andes.