FEATURES OF LAY MARIST LIFE

Extended Bureau of the Laity Features of lay Marist life
And we live together in
constant growth
As a full-time educator I began to take part in
courses, workshops, induction seminars and
training; and while as a professional I learned
Marist pedagogy, I was making it part of my behaviour
and of my thinking. Understanding life as
a continuous process of learning, where love is
the one path to education, of meeting new experiences,
of supporting those who have made
mistakes and fallen, of helping them through attentive
and welcoming intervention. (Mexico)
Fundamental
Characteristics of the
Journey
admire the veteran Brothers for the strength of
I their witness to the Marist charisma, so contemporary
and so dynamic. On the other hand,
this is one of the characteristics of Marist life,
its capacity to actualize itself without losing its
roots. (Brazil)
dedicated myself to controlling my tempera-
I ment, to putting myself in the presence of God
in my daily work. I found a great serenity and I
continued to give religious education classes to
young people. But I did more than that: I dedicated
myself to listening to the students having
all kinds of difficulties and I guided them so that
they themselves could find appropriate solutions.
(Colombia)
The relationship with Brothers helped me very
much – they are actually ordinary people! I
have met so many Brothers and have been exposed
to their spirit which is a real blessing. I
have always been very aware that I am a young
female operating in an older male dominated
religious order, yet I am constantly struck by the
openness of Brothers towards me. Whenever I
have faced dilemmas or problems, I know there is
always a Brother to lend a listening ear and give
me advice. (New Zealand)
These are experiences of profound encounters
with what is more authentic in me, with my
dreams, with my struggles, with my fears, with
my vocation from where I discover God’s dream
for my life. It is a time of fraternal life in community
which is enriched through the searching and
struggles of everyone. It’s a time of experiencing
incredible faith where gestures are charged with
significant meaning and exceed my own experience;
from where I can discover the face and
the love of God, in the face, in the hands, in the
words, in the look, in each gesture of my friends
in passing. (Uruguay)
truly came to know the Marist “trademark”
I and that of the brothers in the extracurricular
activities: excursions, pilgrimages and especially
the groups for Christian growth which were very
important for me. This is when I was invited to
lead a group of young people. I felt very supported
and encouraged by the brothers. This
experience was the start of my vocation as a
teacher. (Spain)
came to have a profound experience of faith
I and relationship with the Marist charism in
a community experience of four weeks, called
FORMARME (Marist Formation in Mexico). My
experience with four Brothers and nine committed
Laypeople gave every confidence to my soul
and to the mission to which I must consecrate
my life as a teacher, and especially as a lay Marist.
(Mexico)
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