Marist International Colloquium on Initial Formation – 5 October
L’Hermitage, France – October 4th – 14th, 2015
Over 75 Brothers and Lay Marist from more than 40 counties and all 6 regions of the Institute are gathering these days at L’Hermitage for the first ever Marist International Colloquium on Initial Formation. The day began with a welcome from Bro. Xavier Barcelo and the community of l’Hermitage. Community members Allan De Castro and Martha Martinezthen gave tours of Champagnat’s house to those who had never visited L’Hermitage prior o the Colloquium.
A morning coffee break followed the tours of the house.
The Group then gathered in the Conference room for the opening of the Colloquium with welcoming remarks from Bro. Tony Leon and Bro. Emili Turu.
Prior to Lunch, everyone participated in a beautiful and moving prayer that focused on the theme of running and living water. All participants were asked to bring small amounts of water from their home countries. During the prayer, all participants were invited to pour their water into bowls separated into the 6 Regions of the Institute. Members of each region then possessed to the bridge that crosses over the Gier and symbolically emptied their waters from the collected Regions into the Gier.
An afternoon Marial Prayer was offered by Brother Michael de Waas.
The topic of Initial Formation began to be addressed in discussion groups by language for the remainder of the first afternoon.