The Vocation and Formation of Lay Marists of Champagnat (Forum – 5 November)
Second day of the International Forum on Lay Marist Vocation – 5 November 2022
As the morning began, the participants of the International Forum prepared for the second day of meetings. The day began with a prayer invoking the Holy Spirit, Mary, Our Good Mother, and various Marist Saints.
The focus of the day centered around the responses received from the various provinces of the insitute as they began to look at the first two objectives of the program. The objectives revolved around the issues of the Identity of the Lay Marist Vocation and the processes for formation and accompaniment.
After some personal time to reflect and consolidate the contributions of the administrative units. A presentation was made by JosĂ© MarĂa PĂ©rez Soba and Nohemy Pinto. JosĂ© MarĂa provide a historical prespective of the laity since the creation of the document “Gathered around the Same Table“. JosĂ© emphasized that a vocation is a call from God, a gift of the Spirit that implies discernment, as well as a commitment that leads to a new form of community life in which brothers and laity are involved. He also mentioned that it was important to keep in mind that living this Marist charism is an expression of our Christian identity of being Church. In addition, this charism is made up of three important elements: spirituality, mission and community life.
Nohemy Pinto, from the province of Central America, highlight key elements of the document “Being a Lay Marist“. Nohemy spoke about the development of vocational processes and pathways. She emphasized the following: the importance of creating a team consisting of lay people and brothers to develop and evaulate the formative processes; who should oversee the processes, the type of accompaniment needed and how frecuent it is needed. Nohem mentioned that the fundamental aspect to keep in mind when initiating this processes is to feel that we are heirs of the Marist charism. We must plant the seed and make it grow, and to do it with passion.
The presentation concluded with a challenge to the participants to keep in mind: “Take a risk, not everything is going to be clear, we need the strength and passion to walk together, to welcome, care for, live and share our Marist vocation as a global family”
It was a wonderful day to reflect on the Marist vocation and to encourage each other to live the charism, walk together and create “A new model of Marist life”.