2023-03-23 BOLIVIA

South America Regional Assembly – Third day

Photos | First day | Second day

42 members of the Provincial Councils, the Regional Council and guests from the General Administration of the Marist Institute are meeting in Cochabamba, Bolivia, March 20-23, to review the progress of the South America Region and to agree on the next steps.

The third day, March 22, began with breakfast and then headed to the Cristo de la Concordia, a pilgrimage site, from where a panoramic view of the city can be appreciated. The participants then visited other tourist attractions, allowing them to learn more about the Bolivian culture that is part of the rich and diverse regional heritage. 

Mission of Consecrated Life in a Synodal Church

After lunch, the first module of the afternoon dealt with the Mission of Consecrated Life in a Synodal Church, led by Father Alejandro Marina, program advisor and synodal pathway in the Archdiocese of Cochabamba.

Alejandro explained that the concept of the synodal Church means that the Church is a community on pilgrimage together towards the Kingdom of God. To introduce synodality, he quoted a message of Pope Francis in which he invites us to dream of a missionary option capable of transforming everything. He then asked those present to dialogue with those close to them about what they believe they should change as Marists in order to go on pilgrimage in community.  We are invited to be a missionary Church going out, reaching out to young people in an open way of thinking and dialogue.

South America Region during 2022

Continuing the work, the Executive Secretary of the region Leonardo Soares presented the Projects and Results of the South America Region during 2022. He detailed the progress of each of the regional initiatives. The premises for the region are also maintained, such as strengthening the Consecrated Life and the Laity, stop duplicating projects, avoid overloading the agenda of Brothers and Laity, reduce costs, do not interfere in the local projects of the Provinces and act with a methodology of execution of projects, so that they reach the works.

Leonardo also gave a presentation on the Marist Union of Brazil (UMBRASIL), a body that supports and connects the Brazilian Provinces and is at the service of the region. Its work is proposed along the lines of strengthening Identity, Mission and Vocation, Religious Organization and Communications and Public Relations. Then the new Regional Strategic Planning Proposal is presented.

The day ended with a moment of prayer by the Marist Province of Brasil Centro Norte (PMBCN) and a celebration that included the presentation of a series of folkloric dances performed by Marist students from the schools of Cochabamba.

Photos | First day | Second day

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