The Spirituality of the Heart Program continues in Florianópolis
The ‘Spirituality of the Heart’ program continues in Florianópolis, in the Province of Brasil Centro-Sul, until February 22. The program began on January 31, and has 49 participants, including Marist brothers and lay people from 13 Marist Provinces. And it is coordinated by the Institute’s Ongoing Formation Team, made up of brothers Ataide José de Lima, Michael Sexton and Xavier Barceló.
The first days, Br. Óscar Martín, General Councilor, accompanied the group, and addressed in a special way the topic of the Spirituality of the Heart. And he motivated the participants to reflect on the meaning of spirituality and interiority, differentiating the content based on the calls of the XXII General Chapter: “to cultivate a spirituality that fills their hearts with joy and makes them inclusive.”
This trajectory led to the understanding of a unifying, incarnated and inclusive spirituality, based on personal experience in the search for God, through humanity, silence, and connection with Him.
During the second week, from February 5 to 10, José Antonio Manzanos – teacher, companion of educators, young people, and children, also a writer and instructor of meditation, mindfulness and body education -, promoted dynamics and experiences in the group.
Using the Kolb Cycle methodology, participants had deep moments of meditation, emotional and body awareness as a path to spirituality. It was a time dedicated to personal experiences of meditation, walking, slow exercises (body and breathing), synthesis of observations based on personal experience, narration, conceptualization and applicability of techniques, content, and skills.
In the third week, the participants were assisted by Brother Ismar Portilla, from the Norandina Province, who accompanied the group in reflecting on Mariology, and highlighted Mary as a woman of the people, mother of the Incarnate Word and disciple. Based on the historical-literary and theological reading of the Bible, the group studied some biblical texts to understand the path taken by Mary.
From February 15 to 18, the participants will be in Curitiba, where they will visit the Marist Memorial, the Interiority Laboratory of the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, they will participate in thematic workshops, and they will reflect on the Marian dimension of the fraternity, with the contribution of Angelo Ricordi.
Returning to Florianópolis, the group will have a videoconference with the Superior General, Brother Ernesto Sánchez, about the calls of the Synodal Church to Marist mission and spirituality. Father Vilson Groh, affiliated with the Institute, who has accompanied the group in the Eucharistic celebrations, will address the topic “the poor and young people in Marist spirituality.”
And to conclude the Program, the group will have a few days of retreat and synthesis with Br.r Ángel Medina, director of the Brothers today Secretariat, and Eder D’Artagnan, from Brasil Centro-Norte.
This formation program, organized by the Institute, is dedicated to Marists who speak Spanish and Portuguese. Meanwhile, for those who speak French and English there will be a session in Nairobi.
This is a proposal that responds to the XXII General Chapter, which in its call entitled “To be the face and hands of your tender mercy”, invites the Marists of Champagnat to cultivate a spirituality that fills their hearts with joy and makes them inclusive.”