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 American Marist
Summer 2013
Dear Marists,
As part of World Youth Day, the recent International Gathering of Marist Youth in Rio de Janeiro further confirmed the strength of the Marist Brothers' mission and international identity. From July 17 to 21, young people from around the world were heard, and new networks were established among them.
The Marist Brothers and their colleagues are present in 79 countries. If we want to continue to develop our international identity, it is essential that people come together, exchange and share their cultures, dreams, and vision of the world and of the Church. It is through these experiences that new ways of living the Marist charism today among children and young people can take shape. Numerous meetings of Brothers and laity have been organized in recent years to promote this dialogue. Young people are part of this process. They are at the center of our mission. It is very important for the Marist Brothers to promote the creation of such spaces — like the International Gathering of Marist Youth — in order to keep these networks moving forward.
Also on the international front, Marist Young Adults Ellen Salmi and Opal Vadhan are making great strides in the area of "doing ordinary things with extraordinary love." Both young women have dedicated themselves to international volunteer work (Ellen in Senegal and Opal in Jamaica) and are true examples of our international identity and Marist charism coming to life.
This September, the IX General Conference of the Marist Brothers will bring together all the Provincials and District Leaders of our Institute. The Conference will be held at L'Hermitage in France and will celebrate the theme "Awakening the Dawn: Prophets and Mystics for our Time." The goal of the Conference is to continue to strengthen the Institute's unity and to take the opportunity to consider questions of general concern so that we may find the most effective and productive answers possible in our mission "to make Jesus Christ known and loved." Please keep this conference in your prayers.
Thank you for joining me as we look ahead to fall, and welcome the blessings of a new season and a new school year.
Sincerely,
Brother Ben Consigli, F.M.S.
U.S. Provincial
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