What is between Black and White?
One possible answer is ‘Grey’, the many tints of grey. Another answer can be ‘Colour’, the spectrum of colours, which exists within the visual range from Violet to Red. A perspective, which offers a new way of seeing.
The International Commission of Brothers Today, who met at the General House from the 3rd to the 7th February, represents the international spectrum of regions and cultures as well as the various stages of formation within our Institute. In this photo, the space between the black and the white soutanes!
The members of the Commission are (From the Photo left – right) :
Back:
* Br Dan O Riordan – Vocation Director (USA)
* Br Jean Marie Batick – District Superior (Melanesia)
* Br James Pinheiro – Provincial Administration – Vocation Ministry (Brazil)
* Br Norbert Mwila – Novice Director – Matola (Mozambique)
* Br Teofilo Minga – Translator (Portugal)
* Br Hipólito Perez –Brothers Today Secretariat (Guatemala – Rome)
* Br Peter Rodney – Director of MAPAC (Philippines)
* Br Eugene Kabanguka – General Councillor (Rwanda – Rome)
* Br Tony Leon – Brothers Today Secretariat (Australia – Rome)
Front:
* Br Albert Nzabonaliba – Postulant Director – Mwanza (Tanzania)
* Br Juan Carlos Fuertes – Assistant Provincial – Mediterranea (Spain)
* Br Ernesto Sanchez – General Councillor (Mexico – Rome)
* Br Saul Placious – Pre Postulancy Coordinator (India)
It was symbolic that the Commission, arriving in Rome on the afternoon of the 2nd February, attended mass with Pope Francis at St Peter’s Basilica to celebrate the International day of Consecrated Life. This was a most appropriate way to start to the work of the following days.
Having worked together as a Commission in the past two years, this group has established strong rapport in sharing understanding of religious life formation as well as articulating their passion for being brothers today. This has helped the Commission to assemble an exciting outline for the International Colloquium on Initial Formation, which will be held at our cradle House of Formation, L’Hermitage, from 5th to the 14th October this year.
More details about this gathering will be soon available.
Marist Life in the 21st century is not monochrome but involves the full spectrum of colours, which can be found in Internationality, Laity, Mysticism and Prophecy. It is the hope of this Colloquium where we can learn to paint a fresh portrait of the Marist Brother with an extended palette.