Young Marists

Seventy years ago the brothers arrived in Guatemala to look after a school in the capital. Champagnat?s dream started to be developed in this country and today it continues to delight many brothers, teachers, parents and young people from different environments.

The Marist presence in Guatemala, the witness of so many brothers who have given their life, the joy that we feel in being Marist were the reasons for our meeting of the 3rd and the 4th June. There were 175 young people (brothers. students, former students and members of the REMAR movement) to share, reflect, pray and celebrate the gift that the Spirit had given to Marcellin and which we have inherited.

The place chosen was Chichicastenango, in the department of El Quiché, where the brothers have been present since 1985 and where they direct the Quiché Technological Institute. The different schools and parishes where there is a Marist presence in Guatemala converged on this place.

During the period of reflection, Brother Adolfo Cermeño, Provincial of América Central, invited us to discover the essential elements of the Marist charism that Marcellin had passed on to us in his Spiritual Testament. The testimony of Mrs Carmelina, a laywoman who was trained with the brothers of Chichicastenango and who now works as a catechist in the parish, invited us to live the Marist charism in every place and situation.

The meeting also included an artistic festival, reflections in small groups, a drawing of a mural and the celebration of the Eucharist. We felt sent by the Spirit of the risen Jesus, to realise the dream of Marcellin which fills us with enthusiasm and hope.