One Marist Family: Champagnat Family Assembly Concludes with a Call to Connection, Courage, and Mission

Day 4 of the Champagnat Family Assembly brought the gathering to a deeply reflective and hopeful conclusion, as participants turned their attention toward the future of the Marist mission across the Pacific.

The day began with a moving prayer led by the Fiji delegation, centred around a beautifully woven traditional Fijian mat. In Fijian culture, mats are far more than decorative objects - they symbolise family, unity, hospitality, and life. They are brought out during important gatherings, where people sit together, share meals, tell stories, and strengthen relationships. During the Assembly, the woven mat became a powerful symbol of the wider Marist family gathered in Fiji: many cultures, languages, and communities interwoven into one mission.

Listeners spoke

Following the prayer, appointed listeners – Nathan Ahearne, Br Melquiano Obe and Ruth Hihiru - shared the key themes and insights that had emerged throughout the Assembly conversations. A strong message echoed throughout the reflections: participants came to Fiji not simply for a conference, but to listen deeply, reconnect as family, and discern together where God is calling the Marist mission into the future.

They spoke on the importance of rediscovering the Marist charism as something shared not only by Brothers, but also by lay people across the Province.

A major theme throughout the discussions was the future of the mission in places where the number of Brothers is declining. Participants acknowledged the realities facing many communities - limited resources, geographical distance, cultural diversity, language barriers, and the challenges of maintaining connection across the Pacific. Yet alongside these concerns was a strong sense of hope.

The listeners highlighted the growing role of lay Marists in sustaining and leading the mission into the future. There was widespread agreement on the need for stronger formation and leadership development, particularly at the local level, so communities can respond to their own realities while remaining connected to the wider Marist family. The sharing of resources, formation programs, and leadership opportunities across countries was repeatedly identified as essential.

Technology and communication also emerged as important priorities. Listeners spoke about the need to remain connected beyond the Assembly through regular meetings, shared initiatives, online communication, and future gatherings. They added that several groups proposed more structured opportunities for collaboration every few years to continue strengthening relationships across the Province.

Final stage of discernment

As the Assembly moved into its final stage of discernment, table groups were invited to reflect on two key questions:

What must we do?

And how is the Spirit asking us to change?

Participants were encouraged to focus not on broad aspirations, but on practical and concrete actions that could shape the future of the Marist mission across the Province.

Greater formation, leadership development, and stronger communication emerged as key priorities throughout the discussions. Participants proposed better use of technology, regular structured meetings, and ongoing gatherings every few years to strengthen relationships and ensure communities do not work in isolation. There was also a strong desire to deepen cross-cultural connections across the Pacific through pilgrimages, exchange visits, and shared formation experiences.

Groups also reflected on the need to strengthen Marist identity through shared celebrations, common moments of prayer and reflection, and deeper spiritual formation. Many emphasised the importance of creating spaces for dialogue, listening, and accompaniment, where all voices are welcomed and valued.

Underlying many of the reflections was a sense that the Spirit is calling the Marist family toward greater courage, openness, and intentional action. Participants recognised the need to move beyond comfort zones, passive attitudes, and dependence on old structures, and instead embrace new ways of collaborating, leading, and sustaining the mission together across the Province.

The Assembly concluded with a beautiful commissioning Mass celebrated by Fr Tomasi sm, bringing the gathering full circle after he had also led the delegates’ opening Mass at a local parish on Sunday, 17 May.

The homily, delivered by Provincial Br Darren Burge, reflected on the journey of the Champagnat Family and the spirit of unity, listening, and hope that had emerged throughout the Assembly. Drawing on John’s Gospel, he emphasised that the unity expressed in the passage should serve as a model for how Marists are called to relate to and walk with one another.

During the Mass, the Marist Heart that was placed on a small table at the beginning of the first session on 18 May, was opened and lay participants were invited, at the request of Br Michael, to write their names and place them inside the heart. This long-standing Marist tradition, often practiced during Chapters among the Brothers, symbolises the deep spiritual connection shared across the Marist family and serves as a reminder that all are united through Marist spirituality and mission.

Following the Mass, the Commission was presented with the Book of Ruah by Mark O'Farrell. The Assembly also took time to acknowledge the vision, leadership, and tireless commitment of Br Michael, whose dedication helped bring both the Commission and the wider Assembly to life.

View all the pics from Day 4: