Phil: Marist Family Day 2018

2nd Marist Family Day Celebrated

The Marist Family in the Philippines gathered last April 21, 2018 at Agro-Industrial College Foundation in Davao City for the 2nd Marist Family Day. The delegates included the Society of Mary Sisters, the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary, the Marist Fathers, the Marist Brothers and the Marist Lay.

Opportunely, the six members of the International Commission of Brothers Today who were visiting the Marist Brothers’ Formation House in the city, participated in the said gathering.

The day was guided by the theme “Doing mission in Asia Today as Marists.” Fr. John Larsen, SM, the Superior General of the Marist Fathers, who was the keynote speaker, said that the Marists express the feminine face of God in Asia. He talked about the four characteristics of Marist mission in Asia. Firstly, the mission is prayer---a profound prayer that results to mission. Like Mary, who listened to the Word of God in the Annunciation, immediately went forth to Elizabeth upon knowing her condition. Secondly, it is reaching out---called and sent beyond. Marists are challenged to communicate with people, in a prophetic dialogue, to bring new life. Thirdly, the mission should be a real sense of community that is open and welcoming. The natural community is the family and the need to guard for the danger of becoming authoritarian. Lastly, is the individual missionary. Each Marist should have a radical commitment and passion for mission, being discerning and creative at the same time.

The participants were challenged to “dance for mission” in Asia and do it in the way of Mary.

The participants clustered into small groups and shared their reflections on some guide questions. One of these questions was “How can Marist community life better express our Marist missionary vocation in Asia?”

The day moved through the warmth of interactions and sharing of Marists.

The gathering concluded in the celebration of the Holy Mass officiated by Fr. Larsen. In his homily, he emphasized that doing mission is Asia today is not easy and not “humanly attractive.” But we are invited to do mission like Mary did when she learned about the condition of Elizabeth. She acted as quickly as she could, in a dynamic way, carrying only the Word of God, without bringing “big luggage.” He also stressed the need to pray in solitude, in a deeply contemplative way, resonating the reality of the world today.

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