16 January
Saint Dacian and companions, martyrs
21/08/2012: Puerto Rico
Until the year 2004, there was a third Marist community located in Barranquitas (Puerto Rico), in the neighbourhood “La Vega”; we were 10 Marist Brothers living close to the neediest for 14 years.
Our Marist life is expressed through community and Mission. We lived in La Vega among the needy and we performed our mission through the education-evangelization of children and the young in the public school, the parish school and Parish Youth Ministry. As to the latter, a group of enthusiastic couples collaborated with commitment and generosity. In time, we could affirm it was actually us who collaborated with them.
You may wonder, what is the significance of these old news 8 years later?
Well, because those we Marist Brothers follow: Jesus of Nazareth, the Good Mother and Father Champagnat, caused our shared life to leave footprints and our presence to also mark the lives of that dozen of couples of lay apostles among the young.
Captivated by the charism of Saint Marcellin, once they were left alone they continued keeping Father Champagnat close to them. Every year, on the Sunday closest to June 6th, they celebrate his feast during the parish “major mass”, and the picture of our founder, usually located on a side wall, moves to occupy a special place.
They previously invite the Brothers from both communities of Puerto Rico: Guaynabo and Manatí. When the celebration is over, a Marist Brother in attendance is invited to express the feelings of the moment. This year they wanted to recall us, the Brothers who shared our lives with theirs.
We then continued celebrating around the table, in the home of Edwin and Annie, the faithful promoters of this feast. It was a time of family sharing, with songs and other entertainment.
Our celebration also recalled the suffering lived with Christianity: Some members of the community are stricken by serious health issues which make them experience the comfort of the Lord and the closeness of Saint Marcellin.
I returned to my community in Manatí enriched by the experiences and feelings I lived, enjoyed and shared with people who continue appreciating the Marist charism, who evoke in me a hymn of gratitude. And… with a commitment to pray Saint Marcellin for the healing of the ill.
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Br. Francisco Güezmes
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