XIX Provincial Chapter of Mexico Central
With the motto “Gratitude, audacity and hope”, fifty Marist brothers and lay people from the province of Mexico Central celebrated their XIX Provincial Chapter from July 25 to 27. During the chapter, Brother Luis Felipe González began his second three-year term as provincial, and the brother members of the council were also elected. The Marists of Central Mexico were accompanied by Brother Luis Carlos GutiĂ©rrez Blanco, Vicar General, and by the counselors, brothers Ken McDonald and Joao Carlos do Prado. Also present was Brother Luis Enrique RodrĂguez Santana, Provincial of Mexico Central.
The first day began with a welcome greeting to participants. Br. Luis Carlos gave Br. Luis Felipe the letter of appointment that renews his position as Provincial for the period 2024-2027. Subsequently, the provincial brother presented the Triennium Report. The document addressed the characteristics and identifiers of the Institute and how the work of the laity has been integrated into the Marist mission. The report highlighted the task of continuing with the commitment to work for children and young people.
Next, Br. Luis Felipe thanked the Provincial Council that accompanied him in his first term of office. Before concluding, Br. Rodrigo Espinosa presented aspects related to the management of the mission, the challenges and new steps such as the incorporation of Strategic Operational Planning (PEO). The closing of the day took place with the prayer of placing the ashes of Br. Alexandro Aldape in the columbarium.
The second day, July 26, began with the hopeful and motivating prayer that guided the workday. The activities continued through the tables in which the lines of action that will be carried out in the next triennium were developed. The thematic axes were life of the brothers, lay Marists, mission and vision, government, animation and management, and economy.
During the day, the three brothers of the General Council, Luis Carlos, JoĂŁo Carlos and Ken expressed their gratitude for the warm welcome they always receive when they visit the province and addressed the topics discussed at the III International Marist Mission Assembly. They also announced details of the next General Chapter, which will take place from September 8 to October 8, 2025.
In his intervention, the Vicar General, Br. Luis Carlos, spoke about cultural diversity and the global Marist family, and expressed that “the charism can be lived from one culture and from another. We are aware that this family, which is global, becomes richer to the extent that it receives the contributions of each of the cultures… Internationality and interculturality are our values.”
The day concluded with gratitude to the laity for their commitment and collaboration, reaffirming the Marist spirit of unity and dedication to the shared mission.
The last day of the XIX Provincial Chapter, on July 27, began with the work of reviewing and discussing the norms on the dynamics of mission and life of the brothers, followed by a vote to choose the norms that will be implemented.
Subsequently, the vote to elect the new members of the Provincial Council took place. The chosen brothers were Juan Carlos Robles Gil Torres, Juan JesĂşs Franco Hernández, Javier Francisco Salcedo Camarena, Marco Antonio Soto Sánchez, Jorge Arturo Carbajal GarcĂa and Juan MontĂşfar RodrĂguez.
At the end of the day, Br. Luis Felipe thanked all the participants for their commitment and support during the vote and addressed a special message to the new Provincial Council. He invited those present to go out to the garden, where a tree was planted symbolizing a new beginning. In his message, Br. Luis Felipe, provincial, invited the participants “to all do our best, and from this we respond to the needs and challenges of our time. It is still valid our imprint of making Jesus Christ known and loved, and of following Jesus in the style of Mary.”
The chapter concluded with a mass of thanks.
For more information, visit the province’s website