2016-06-27
GENERAL HOUSE
Session of the International Commission of Marist Spiritual Patrimony
The International Marist Commission of Spiritual Patrimony held its annual gathering with the participation of its nine members in Rome from June 13 – 17.
The sessions began with each member presenting the work done since last year’s gathering which included publications, the animation of sessions, retreats, rereading of the Institute’s history and Marist Notebooks number 34.
The main novelty of this session was the work meeting of the Commission of Patrimony on June 14 in the afternoon held with the Brothers Today Secretariat, which concluded its annual gathering.
The meeting aimed at raising awareness of the expectations of both teams in order to achieve closer cooperation, particularly in the initial and ongoing formation of brothers and laity.
Participants reflected particularly on the opening of a centre of archives in Santiago de Chile for the Chile sector as well as the France sector in St Genis-Laval in the old premises of the harquebus.
The proposed construction of a spirituality centre for Asia in the Philippines was also discussed.
Also, the publication of Volume I of the Institute’s history in three languages at the end of 2015 provided an opportunity for a time of exchanging thoughts on this important achievement. Volumes 2 and 3 in four languages continues to be fine-tuned and the publication must take place next year, before the General Chapter. Marist Notebook number 35 is also being prepared.
Some members of the Commission of Patrimony will participate in the sessions scheduled for next year and will be organized by the Brothers Today Secretariat or by the Secretariat of Laity.
In the next session of Patrimony, which will be held from June 19 – 23, 2017, the brothers of the Brothers Today Secretariat will take part. The theme could be: spiritual patrimony and formation.
Finally, the session was affected by the health problem suffered by Brother Eugène Kabanguka, general councillor and link between the Commission of Patrimony and the General Council who is usually very present in the meetings of the Commission’s work, on June 15.