The Itinerants Path

The XXI General Chapter of the Marist Brothers of the Schools begins today, September 8, until October 10, 2009 (The First General Chapter happened in 1839). With its theme, “New Hearts for a New World,” the participants from the different parts of the world will gather themselves to reflect once more about the challenges of the new world today. As stated in the the Constitution and Statutes of the congregation, the General Chapter is an assembly representative of the whole Institute. All the Brothers participate in the life and mission of the Institute. It exercises the highest extraordinary authority.

During the chapter, they are to:

1.  to elect the Brother Superior General, the Brother Vicar General and the members of the General Council, as prescribed in the proper law of the Institute;
2. to deal with major issues concerning the nature, aim and spirit of the Institute, and to further their renewal and adaptation, preserving all the while the spiritual heritage of the Institute;
3. to draw up Statutes for the whole Institute;
4. to put before the Holy See the modifications that may be needed on some points of the Constitutions.

According to the list being updated in Rome, there will be 95 participants; composed of the General Superior, Vicar General and the Council, the former Superior General, elected members and guests.

Prayer for the XXI General Chapter

We praise you,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

You inspired Marcellin Champagnat
to labor for your Kingdom
and to make Jesus known and loved
in the circumstances of the people of his time,
especially the poor.

You gave him Mary as his ordinary resource
and model of unbounded “yes”
in responding to your call with courage and strong resolve.

You bestowed upon the many generations
of brothers and lay men and women
the same zeal to work in bringing Christ-life to birth
in this constantly changing world.

We give you thanks
for your abundant blessings on our Institute
in the many aspects of its life and mission.

We are grateful that the Marist charism
has grown to be ever more relevant with the passage of time.

We rejoice in the numerous men and women
who continue to share and keep alive Marcellin’s dream
of bringing young people closer to Jesus and Mary.
As modern-day Champagnats,
we recognize the challenges you set before us
in the realities of the world and of the young.

Endow us with the wisdom
to see clearly the way in which you are leading us
so that we may continue to be signs of your loving
presence today.

Give to the delegates of our 21st General Chapter
the openness of mind and the generosity of heart
to listen to the signs of the times.

Inspire them to truly discern your will for our Institute.
As we move in faith, hope and love
to two hundred years of Marist presence,
create in us new hearts for a new world.

Amen

September 8 the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Mary is considered by the whole Institute of the Marist Brothers as the first Superior. Saint Marcellin Champagnat, the founder of the Brothers, inculcated that to the minds and hearts of his young Brothers. Mary is also the Ordinary Source of the Brothers, she never abandoned the Institute even during  those years when Marcellin had a hard time looking for Brothers to respond to the call of his time.

As the Marist Brothers celebrate life with her, the XXI General Chapter starts with confidence to address the calls of this modern world, in the consecrated life of the Brothers and in the life of the Marist laity, as they collaborate with one another. Mary, our Good Mother, we implore for your intercession as we pray for the participants of the General Chapter and for the whole Institute, for the greater glory of God.

On this day..

• NFRBP 9th Triennial Convention - 2008