THIRD AGE SPIRITUALITY COURSE FOR SPANISH, PORTUGUESE AND ITALIAN SPEAKERS
From the 10th August, twenty-two Marist Brothers from twelve countries were at Manziana for a spirituality course that lasted two months. The names of the brothers who participated in this course are: Afonso Heck, Antonio Pisco, Benedetto Termini, Bruno Nebreda, Celso GarcĂa, Enric Boix, Erasmo Alba, Ignacio del Pozo, Isaac DĂez, Isaac Revilla, Jaime Juarista, JosĂ© G. Padilla, JesĂşs Luengo, JosĂ© Gpe. Romero, JosĂ© Luis GorrĂa, Juan Ortiz, Marco Aurelio Ospina, NĂ©stor Machuca, Pedro Septiem, Quirino Calvo, Timoteo PĂ©rez and ZacarĂas Aguirre.
They were looked after marvellously by Brother David Aranda, Director, Brother Diamantino Duque, Assistant Director, Father Antonio Roig F.M.C. and Brother George Fontana, Econome.
Their mission now is to help other brothers to discover the objectives of the course and to live them.
§ To accept peacefully and joyfully my personal story and the influence of divine grace in my life.
§ To know how to respond to the calls of the Holy Spirit at this very important time of my life.
§ To be conscious of the importance of the role of my life and mission in the Institute.
§ To return to my community as leaven for fraternity, hope and service for laypeople and brothers.
As well as conferences given by General Councillors, other brothers and professional laypeople, the group was able to take advantage of a great deal of free time for reading, for prayer, for sharing in small groups and in the whole group and living Marist fraternity in a spirit of joy.
The visits to Rome and the pilgrimages to Assisi and Subiaco helped the brothers to be more open to God?s grace as were Francis and Clare of Assisi, Benedict and Scholastica of Subiaco.
Other moving moments included the Papal Audience at Saint Peter?s, the meeting with Brother Superior General, the launching of the Marist Vocation year at Viterbo and talking with the Little Sisters of Jesus at Tre Fontane.
The beautiful weather, the incredible countryside, the peace and the silence of the place were important elements that helped the brothers to be optimistic, faithful, fraternal and to have confidence in God through the intercession of our Good Mother and our saintly Founder.