Listening, Formation and Mission Take Centre Stage on Day 3 of the Champagnat Family Assembly
- maristbrothers
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Day 3 of the Champagnat Family Assembly began with an energetic and uplifting opening prayer led by Br Anitelea Fidow, who had the entire room dancing to Son of Abraham. The joyful session brought warmth, laughter, and energy to the gathering.
This was followed by a profound and moving prayer led by the Aotearoa New Zealand delegation, with Daniel Dungey, Tara Quinney, and Br Martin Pattison guiding the Assembly into a more reflective space.
The focus of Day 3 centred on Spiritual Conversation and formation. Participants reflected on the question: “What is life-giving when you consider your involvement in, or leading of, formation experiences?” Drawing on Assembly documents and the synodal process that has shaped the gathering, delegates gathered in table groups to listen attentively, speak honestly from personal experience, and discern together what the Spirit was revealing through their conversations.
Synodal Process Continues
After each round of conversation, groups paused to reflect on what had emerged before preparing a collective response to share with the wider Assembly. Towards the end of the session, one participant from each group was invited to present the common themes and insights that had emerged from their discussions.
There was strong convergence across the groups on several key themes. Participants reflected on the importance of slowing down and taking time to reflect on experiences in order to move forward with greater wisdom, understanding, and purpose.
Many noted that life-giving formation often begins with simple acts of welcome and hospitality, which gradually grow into deeper relationships where people encounter God, discover confidence and meaning, and feel inspired towards mission.
Trust and vulnerability also emerged as recurring themes throughout the discussions. Participants reflected that authentic formation requires people to step outside their comfort zones, share openly, and listen without judgement. Many emphasised the importance of meeting people where they are, listening attentively to their stories, and remaining open to where the Spirit is leading.
Important to “agitate”
Before the next session began, members moved outdoors and gathered beside the pool, where Br Michael invited everyone to place their feet in the cool water and gently “agitate” it rather than leave it still.
Using the pool as a metaphor for the life of the Assembly and the Marist mission, he reflected that when water is stirred, movement and energy emerge - just as new ideas, growth, and renewal emerge when people are willing to challenge themselves, engage openly, and remain open to change. Still water, he noted, can easily become stagnant.
What are the challenges we face?
As the Assembly progressed, conversations moved towards a more practical and future-focused reflection centred on the question: “As we consider our future together as the Star of the Sea Province in communion and mission, what might be our opportunities and challenges?”
Participants identified several important areas of growth and opportunity for the Province moving forward. A strong focus was placed on strengthening formation and leadership development, particularly in supporting emerging local leaders, young teachers, and those taking on new responsibilities within the Marist mission.
The conversations also highlighted the richness of the Province’s cultural diversity and the opportunity to deepen intercultural understanding and collaboration across the region.
Murmuratio
Before the second session began, Br Melquiano Obe led an afternoon Marian reflection in a distinctly Timorese style - a reflection of the rich diversity of the Province. During the session, he placed a small basket on a nearby table and invited participants to write down their hopes for the Assembly before placing them into the basket as a symbolic offering.
The second session of the day centred on Murmuratio, an ancient practice used within Christian discernment and Spiritual Conversation. Participants were invited to form pairs with someone they felt they had little in common with - whether in culture, background, country, language, or ministry experience - creating an opportunity for deeper listening and encounter across diversity.
Each pair then moved away from the main meeting space to find a quiet and comfortable place for a 30-minute conversation. The session encouraged participants to slow down, listen attentively, and discern the movement of the Spirit emerging through their shared reflections.
The conversations were guided by questions such as:
· What are you hearing so far at your table and through other interactions?
· What is the spirit of your table like?
· What feels common or shared within your conversations?
· What has surprised or challenged you in what you have heard?
The session created space for honest dialogue, deeper understanding, and meaningful connections between people from very different contexts and experiences across the Province.
How do we organise ourselves regarding Formation?
The final session of the day invited participants to reflect on the question: “When we consider how we organise ourselves regarding Marist formation, how can we continue to grow Marist life within our ministries and supporting communities?”
As groups shared back with the wider Assembly, several common themes and practical ideas emerged. One recurring point was the importance of establishing clear structures and frameworks to support the growth of Champagnat Marist life, while also ensuring enough flexibility for each country or ministry to adapt these structures to their own cultural and pastoral realities.
Participants also reflected on the importance of inclusivity within the Marist family. Several groups noted that the Marist spirituality continues to attract people from different faith traditions and backgrounds who are drawn to the values, spirituality, and sense of community within Marist life.
Another strong theme was the desire to remain connected across the Province beyond the Assembly itself. Participants proposed the formation of steering committees or local coordinating groups that could help sustain communication, collaboration, and shared initiatives moving forward. Many acknowledged that while online communication platforms such as WhatsApp are useful, there is also a need for more intentional and structured ways of staying connected so that the wisdom, energy, and inspiration emerging from the Assembly are not lost once participants return home.
Formation pathways and leadership development also featured strongly in the discussions. Participants highlighted the need for clearer formation pathways that help people understand where they are in their Marist journey and how they can continue to grow in leadership and mission.
Br Darren’s message
Following the group presentations, Provincial Br Darren Burge addressed the Assembly and reflected on the significance of the gathering and its connection to the wider future planning of the Star of the Sea Province. He shared that the Provincial Council is currently undertaking a long-range pastoral planning process for the Province and explained that during the first three years of the Province’s existence, leadership had intentionally avoided creating highly detailed strategic plans, recognising that time was needed to better understand the realities, cultures, ministries, and challenges across such a large and diverse Province.
However, he noted that the Province is now entering a new stage where it is ready to begin identifying clearer priorities and more specific directions for the future. He assured participants that the reflections, ideas, and material emerging from the Assembly would directly contribute to that planning process and would form part of the Council’s ongoing discernment and decision-making.
At the same time, Br Darren emphasised that the Province did not want to limit or control the initiatives and ideas emerging from lay Marists themselves. Rather, he said, the role of Province leadership was to provide support, resources, and general direction while also remaining open to new ideas and movements that may emerge organically from local communities and ministries across the Province.
Br Darren concluded by acknowledging the delicate balance involved in future planning - creating structures and priorities for the Province while also ensuring enough openness and flexibility for local initiatives, creativity, and new expressions of Marist life to continue flourishing across the region.
View more pics from morning session:
View more pics from the morning session and pool activity:
View more pics from the afternoon session:
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