Saint Marcellin Champagnat Center in Bucharest
“Letting oneself be surprised implies breaking the inner chains that bind us”
Marcellin Champagnat, at the beginning of the 19th century, let himself be surprised by the events of the time, he let himself be surprised by the children and young people of his parish who were in difficulty, he let himself be surprised by God who was inviting him to join in the work of the Kingdom. In the same way, for more than 200 years, thousands of brothers and lay people have let themselves be surprised by.
In Bucharest, the capital of Romania, we Marists have a work that serves vulnerable children and young people. It is one of those works that are now called “27/4”.
- One of those works that want, and succeed, to respond to the need for a comprehensive education.
- A work that serves children, adolescents and young people who, for various reasons, cannot live with their families.
- A social work, as there are so many in the Institute, where children and young people live a large part of their lives during their years of formation.
- An educational play that encourages children to feel respected and loved.
- A Marist presence that speaks to us of “global charismatic family”.
Whoever reads this article might say that it is not “27/4”, but “24/7”. Well, yes, maybe we could also talk about it. Undoubtedly, these numbers are just an excuse to bring here and to emphasize the integral educational work that our brothers and lay Marists of Bucharest are developing, to highlight the commitment of the volunteers who dedicate part of their time to this work, to highlight the life of a group of children and young people who want to grow, develop and live happily.
Yes, it is a “play on words”, or rather on numbers, which reminds us and shows us, all Marists of Champagnat, the incarnate witness of the Gospel of Jesus in the 21st century, through those who work, attend and live the Saint Marcellin Champagnat Center of Bucharest.
I take advantage of these lines to thank God for the witness of so many Marists of Champagnat who, with their lives, succeed in making true what the second call of the XXII General Chapter reminded us: “to be the face and hands of your tender mercy”.
I take this opportunity to thank God for so many men and women, for so many children and young people, who have been able to turn their vulnerabilities into a way to reach God, to allow themselves to be challenged by Him, to go out to meet those in need.
“Accepting one’s vulnerabilities becomes the space for the action of the Spirit.”
Br. Ángel Diego García Otaola