Vocational processes

The first part of a course for accompaniators was held in July 2016 in Guatemala for lay people and Brothers of the Arco Norte and Cruz del Sur regions, in answer to the invitation made to all provinces of the Marist Institute to start vocational processes for laity. A “Workshop of Personal Growth” was offered in the first part of the course with the aim of providing formation modules, theoretical and practical, from a psycho-historical-spiritual paradigm. During the following months, participants experienced the exercises in daily life, through records and with personal accompaniment.

The group met again this year from June 15 – 27 in Guatemala. Thirty-one Marists of Champagnat of the Arco Norte and Cruz del Sur regions began the second part of the course for accompaniators of vocational processes. Yet again, the course was animated by the team of the Central American Institute of Spirituality (CEFAS), founded by Fr Carlos Cabarrús SJ. The formative proposal of this year is focused on techniques and tools for accompaniment, under the theme “To accompany is to love.”

This experience of formation has an international tone, very much in tune with the current process of the Institute. There are participants from Uruguay, El Salvador, Mexico, Venezuela, Haiti, Guatemala, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Argentina, Costa Rica and Spain. 

Among the participants was the director of the Secretariat of the Laity, Brother Javier Espinosa, of the Commission of Laity from the América Central Province.

The experience for the group, immersed in the spirit of La Valla, is a clear sign of the “New Beginning” as Marists of Champagnat, open to the surprises of the Spirit.