The visits are a part of a vast programme of accompaniment

Touring around Rio Grande do Sul since the 17th September, the Superior General of the Marist Institute, Brother Seán Sammon, followed his programme of visits to social educational and vocational groups until the 30th September. During the first five days that he stayed in this State, Brother Seán visited the cities of Porto Alegre, Bom Princípio, Viamão and Santa Maria.

The first week?s programme was quite full: Sunday evening, arrival at the capital; Monday, meeting the press, times for social interaction at the Provincial House and a visit to the Metropolitan Archbishop of Porto Alegre, Archbishop Dadeus Grings; Tuesday, meeting with vocation animators and formators at Bom Princípio; Wednesday, visit to the Marist Complex at Viamão with the possibility of passing by the Champagnat Memorial, Saint Joseph House, the Scholasticate, the Graças Marist Institute, Graças Social Centre and the cemetery of the Marist Brothers; Thursday and Friday he was able to become familiar with the Marist works in the city of Santa Maria: the Residence at Cerrito, the Social Centre and the Marist schools were all on the itinerary of the Superior General.

The visits are a part of an ample programme of accompaniment of the Administrative Units of the Insti-tute throughout the world which have as their aim the evaluation of the vigour of Marist work and the seeking of corresponding solutions to challenges. On Saturday, 23rd September, the agenda included a meeting with the Councillors and the fraternities of the Champagnat Movement of the Marist Family at Champagnat Marist College at Porto Alegre and on the Sunday there was time for meeting with the brothers in the Marist Holiday House at Lami.