Sharing our joy, experiences and challenges

The Marist Union of Brazil (UMBRASIL), an organisation which represents the three Marist Provinces and District of Brazil, brought together the commissions and subcommittees involved in the area of Consecrated Life and the Laity on 19th, 20th and 21st of June, in Chácara Manacá, in Brasilia. The Brothers, and Lay people, combined in the search for new directions for the life of the Institute; starting from their own experiences, they meditated, they debated and they defined actions designed to solidify the Strategic Plan from 2008 to 2014
The hallmark of this meeting was the joining together of the Commission of Marist Apostolic Spirituality and the Interprovincial Commission for Formation and Vocational Animation, as well as the subcommittees for Marist Patrimony and the Champagnat Movement of the Marist Family. The axes that guided the discussions were: the search for interactive areas in which to work jointly and the alignment of actions already established.
During the meeting some challenges emerged from the reflections of the group, emerging from the presentations of the formative experiences of the Brothers and of the Lay men and women. We can begin by highlighting the urgency for the formation of leaders; then we discussed the preparation and the fidelity of the lay men and women concerning their work in the mission. There is a lack of new leadership able to sustain the processes already implemented and to dream of other futures.
Another aspect presented as a challenge is our commitment to the continuity of the mission. Very often processes and projects suffer through the lack of a structure that guarantees their continuity independently of the changes of personnel and administration. In any changes consideration should be given to the past and to collective building. The projects must be in a position to continue independently of people. .
A third question was considered with reference to the appointments and the directives of the Brothers and lay men and women involved in the service of provincial and interprovincial projects. The directives and the appointments should consider the competence and the abilities of those selected for the needs of the projects. .
We are aware of the decrease of Brothers in the Provinces and in the District. Consequently, we wondered about the vitality and the viability of so many projects and initiatives. We considered the professional reality of the lay men and women regarding their participation in the diverse projects and processes and we wondered how far human and financial conditions could be stretched. In view of all of this we highlighted the need to widen vocational animation and the formation of Brothers and Lay men and women.
We would like to thank the Marist Union of Brazil for the opportunity to hold the meeting, for encouraging dialogue between the Brothers and the Lay men and women, and for the space available for reflection and exploration, so important in the life of the Marist mission in Brazil and in the Institute.

Area of Consecrated Life and Laity of the Marist Union of Brazil