To the Ends of the Earth
The young brothers who are participating in the II Formation Journey in Cochabamba are becoming more and more involved in the dynamics of the course according to the goals of each concrete activity and experience along the day.
Our attention these days has been focused on the Bolivian reality, the country that has welcomed us for this formation journey. Ramiro Balderrama, professor and social analyst, joined us to analyze this topic, and helped us understand some historical political and social features of Bolivia.
Then brother Saturnino – a member of the Marist community of North Ticti, Cochabamba – introduced us to the Marist reality in Bolivia and the Province of Santa Maria de los Andes, which also includes Chile and Peru. It was an important opportunity to listen to and understand the Marist and social context where we are now, in which we are getting increasingly involved.
To get acquainted with the Marist presence in Cochabamba, we visited the places where the brothers carry out their mission: Santa Monica Primary School, Santiago Primary School, Our Lady of the Pillar Superior Technical Institute, and the Marist School. Our tour ended at the Novitiate House, where we celebrated the Eucharist and shared dinner with the novices and the brothers in charge of formation.
Subsequently, we shared a presentation from each of our Provinces. This week it was the turn of the brothers from Central America, Rio Grande do Sul, Norandina, and Brasil Centro-Sul. These have been enriching moments allowing us to become familiar with the reality of the Provinces here represented.
Then each of the brothers participating in the Journey introduced himself and – with Marist simplicity, trust and a family spirit – shared aspect of his life, such as family story, personal milestones, vocational history, personality traits, dreams, hopes, and how he lives out this new way of being a Marist Brother, according to his own situation at the personal, community and mission levels.
Part of our sharing as an international community has been the tasting of typical dishes thanks to the brothers from Brasil Centro-Norte and Rio Grande do Sul. This has allowed us to live warm, joyful and festive community gatherings around the same table.