Revitalisation of the Marist charism

The community of the Marist College of Mindelheim hosted the meeting of the Marist European Conference from 28 to 31 October in a spirit of attentiveness and brotherhood. The MEC is composed of the five Provincials and a Councillor from each Province. Those taking part in this meeting were Brothers Maurice Berquet, Provincial and current co-ordinator of the MEC, and Pere Ferré (L’Hermitage); Brendan Geary, Provincial, and Robert Thunus (West Central Europe); Oscar Vicario, Provincial, and António Leal (Compostela); Antonio Giménez de Bagües, Provincial, and Onorino Rota (Mediterránea); Ambrosio Alonso, Provincial, and Carlos Martín (Ibérica). Brothers Ernesto Sánchez and Antonio Ramalho, from the General Council, Jean Ronzon (L’Hermitage), secretary, and Francisco Castellanos (Compostela), translator, were also present.

Along the lines of the Enlarged General Council of March at N.D. de l’Hermitage, the central theme of the meeting was the creation of a network of communities in the Marist region of Europe, with the objective of discovering new ways of being Brother and new routes for Marist life and mission in Europe today. The idea is to reinforce initiatives and bring about the revitalisation of the Marist   charism on the continent. The group reached consensus and entrusted an enlarged commission with the preparation for a first meeting with some communities and Brothers to be invited from all the   Provinces concerned.

The MEC also discussed topics relating to the European Council of the Champagnat Movement, the   Mission Team, and the Teams for Brothers Today and Vocations.