The 2nd Champagnat Global Meeting, held from 7-11 March at the Hermitage, has come to an end
‘One of the greatest gifts you can give a Marist is to go to the Hermitage.’ Perhaps this has been one of the most repeated phrases during these days. Almost 140 people from different parts of the world have put their agendas on hold for a few days to meet in our beloved mother house to connect, share and work.
The excited faces of the participants were the protagonists of the day they arrived. It didn’t matter if they had been before or if it was their first time. From the reception of the house you could see all those curious, excited looks towards every corner that made you forget the tiredness of the long journeys.
We started the 2nd Meeting of Champagnat Global with the presentations of each of the participants, in this way, we were putting a face to the different works of the Marist mission throughout the world: South America, Arco Norte, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania. Br. Gabriel Villa-Real, Provincial of the Hermitage, offered a few words of welcome, as did the community of brothers currently residing at the mother house: ‘You are in the house of Champagnat, you are at home’.
Br. Ben Consigli, general counsellor, emphasised some important aspects of Champagnat Global and we closed the session with a talk by Br. Ernesto Sánchez, superior general, who, as well as inviting us to be ‘pilgrims of hope’, also called on us to ‘look beyond’ as Champagnat would have done.
All the Marist mission networks: RIMES, Publishing, Youth Ministry and Solidarity had representatives at the meeting, as did FMSI, the Marist Foundation created by the General Administration. So the participants had the opportunity to learn more about all of them.
With the help of the brothers of the community, we went back 200 years and not only through the models of the Champagnat museum. We listened to the Gier in Marcellin’s room as we recalled some words from his spiritual testament: ‘I hope it will be said of you, “See how the brothers love one another”’. We touched the same rock on which the first brothers dug to build this wonderful place and we let ourselves be carried away by the melody of guitars and Marian songs.
We have had the wonderful opportunity to get to know not only every part of this house but also all the Marist sites, also with the help of the brothers. We have literally stepped on the origin of our beloved Institution in Rosey, we have renewed our baptismal vows in the same font where Marcellin was baptised and we have touched his granite statue in Marlhes to shape it as its sculptor intended. We sat at the table in La Valla, where some of the most important decisions of the Institution were made, and around it we sang to the Good Mother who had travelled from Mexico.
Music has been with us every day. Proof of this is to see Br. Eladio with his guitar in his hand, as well as Br. Miguel who also adds the microphone, together with Br. Dem and of course accompanied by Br. Antonio with a half-moon tambourine and Br. Rafael with his drum, debuting with some great Marist songs such as ‘Tú serás hoy Champagnat’ or ‘Buena Madre’ while we all sang along in chorus and some participants launched into a dance.
Along the same lines, we were also able to enjoy some traditional dances and songs from Mexico and Brazil that the participants from those countries had prepared themselves. Moments that encouraged everyone else to learn more about other cultures, moments of sharing.
Once our experience of the most emblematic places was over, we had the opportunity to enjoy a talk given by Dr Danilo L. Farnela on the Contextualisation of the educational work and legacy of Marcellin de Champagnat. A conference full of surprises, so much so that Champagnat himself came down from heaven for a little while to answer some questions and say a few words to us.
It wasn’t the only one. Xavier Aragay and Jonquera Arnó, president and director of Reimagine Education, dedicated one of the days to talking about the challenges of education today, the challenges of the Marist school and the figure of the director during the 21st century. These sessions highlighted the ideas of changing perspective when teaching as well as developing conscious leadership capable of inspiring and mobilising teams.
Ciara Beuster, director of Educate Magis (the online platform that connects Jesuit schools around the world) was also present at this meeting to discuss the importance of networking as well as its advantages and challenges.
Several hours were also spent working in regional and international groups on various topics such as the challenges, aspirations and aspects to be promoted in the network.
On Sunday we went to the chapel where Marcellin’s remains are kept to celebrate the Eucharist with the regular congregation. In the same place, we held the farewell ceremony. The regional coordinators presented to Champagnat their commitments to the network from this meeting, Brother Ben and Brother Ernesto dedicated some emotional words of thanks and farewell. The participants were then given a jar of water from the Gier and some pieces of rock from the Hermitage, symbolising the Marian spirituality of each one of us.
On behalf of the whole Champagnat Global team, we would like to thank Br. Ernesto and Br. Ben for their company, participation and contributions throughout the meeting. To our interpreters: Br. Luis Sobrado, Br. Toni Torrelles and Bruno Socher, for their effort and dedication throughout these days. To all the people in the house who have helped us so much with the logistics as well as with all the needs that arose, with special mention to Virgine and Florence. To the community of brothers at the Hermitage for preparing and leading all the ceremonies we have had, for showing us the Marist places with that affection and Marian commitment that characterises them so much and for making us feel at home. Finally, we would like to thank each and every one of the participants who have set aside time in their schedules to dedicate to us these days, because without you this meeting would not have been possible.
We continue to build a Global Family!