Provincial Chapter Day 3: Discussions on the Discernment of the Chapter Calls and the Formation of the Provincial Council

The third day of the Chapter focused on the critical work of discerning and shaping the Calls of the Chapter. The day began with a beautiful Fijian prayer led by Brothers Petero Navuku, Melquiano Obe, and Jacinto Fuli Falo.

Br Petero, a Fijian Brother, opened the prayer by reflecting on the lali, a traditional drum that calls people together. The lali is sounded in times of celebration, in moments of quiet reflection, and in times of difficulty, when people gather for strength and protection. Each beat carries its own meaning.

Br Petero began with three beats of the lali while it remained empty. The hollow space of the drum became a place where each Brother was invited to place his worries and uncertainties written on a post it notes. In this symbolic act, the Brothers let go of what they were carrying as they entered the day’s sessions with renewed clarity, hope, and openness. When the lali was sounded again later, all that had been placed within it was entrusted to God and to Mary.

The Brothers then moved into the work of discerning the Calls of the Chapter. In keeping with the Chapter’s commitment to synodal communication, they were divided into three tables of six Brothers each. At each table, the Brothers engaged in spiritual conversations reflecting on three interconnected levels: community, province, and area. When reflecting on “area,” Brothers were invited to think in terms of their regional context.

Each table participated in three rounds of the Conversation of the Spirit. Two Brothers at each table served as ‘listeners’ and remained at the same table throughout the process, while the other participants moved between tables at designated points. This allowed ideas and insights to be shared widely across the group.

The process was designed to create a space where Brothers could bring their thoughts and experiences freely, listen deeply to one another, and trust that key themes would naturally emerge. Rather than working towards immediate conclusions, the aim was to surface what was genuinely being experienced across communities, regions, and the Province as a whole.

Throughout the morning, Brothers spoke from their own contexts and experiences, while also listening to perspectives from different communities and regions. This helped expose everyone to the broader realities of the Province and its many dimensions.

The three rounds were structured as follows:

Round One: Each delegate was given two minutes to share what they sensed was emerging from their community, province, or area.

Round Two: Each delegate had two minutes to share what was stirring within them after listening to others in the group, with an emphasis on deep listening rather than reacting from the surface.

Round Three: Each delegate was given one minute to name what they felt was emerging from the group as a whole - something they could collectively agree upon.

Post Discussion Reflections

Following the conversations, the ‘listeners’ met together to reflect on what they had heard and prepared a report. The Brothers then gathered in a circle, where the listeners shared key insights from the discussions, each offering one sentence that captured what was emerging most strongly.

The Steering Committee later met with the listeners and noted many common themes across the tables. These insights were eventually distilled into four key areas that will help guide the Calls of the Chapter.

The first insight from one of the groups was sustainability and viability. This included reflection on the sustainability of community life itself, as well as the long-term viability of our mission and provincial structures. Brothers spoke about sustainability at many different levels, recognising both practical and pastoral dimensions, and asking honest questions about what can realistically be sustained in different parts of the Province.

The second strong theme was formation. This covered initial formation of Brothers, formation of Champagnat Lay Marists, leadership formation, and formation for good governance. Formation emerged repeatedly in different contexts, highlighting its importance across all stages of life and ministry.

The third theme focused on community life and quality. While questions of viability and sustainability were acknowledged - particularly around whether the current number of communities can be maintained in some regions - there was also a distinct and deeper conversation about the lived experience of community life. Brothers shared openly about the quality of the communities they are part of, and this was recognised as an area requiring further reflection and attention.

The fourth theme centred on the life of the Brothers themselves, particularly brotherhood and identity. The discussions explored how to support Brothers at different stages of life - whether younger or older - and how to help them engage fully with life where they are. Questions of identity emerged strongly: what it means to be a Brother today, in different cultural contexts, and at different stages of health and ministry. There were clear and thoughtful insights shared around this.

Across all the groups, the tone of the sharing was described as very honest. There was a sense of both realism and hope: a clear-eyed awareness of current challenges, alongside optimism about the progress made as a Province over the past three years. Brothers spoke about the growing sense of “us” and belonging, and recognised this as something to build on, even as real needs remain to be addressed.

A strong conviction emerged that the Brothers are the heart of the Province. Supporting Brothers to choose to be of service to life remains central. Particular attention was given to Brothers who feel isolated, often because of geography, or who feel uncertain about their identity in a rapidly changing world. Ongoing review and adaptation of provincial structures was seen as necessary, always in service of vocation, communion, and ministry. Clear and effective communication was also identified as an area needing continued attention.

The importance of collaboration was also discussed - working closely with local churches and bishops, with other congregations, and within the wider Marist family, including global Marist networks. Listening carefully to local contexts was seen as essential in addressing real issues honestly and discerning what is sustainable and viable in each place.

Finally, many saw the synodal approach as a helpful way forward: one rooted in listening, engagement, and discernment. The consistent call was to keep things grounded and local - to focus on Brothers in their present contexts, and to support community life.

Four Key Areas formed the basis of the Calls

Following the listening process, the Steering Committee met with the listeners and noted many common themes emerging across the tables. These insights were distilled into four key areas, which then formed the basis for the shaping of the Calls of the Chapter.

The four key areas are:

• Deepening community life

• Identity and life of the Brother

• Formation for Marist life

• Sustainability of Marist life and mission

Stations were set up around the room, each representing one of these four areas. The Brothers were invited to choose a station, form a group, and work together using the material from the previous two sessions.

Each group was asked to reflect on two guiding questions:

• What is being asked of us to bring this call to life?

• What journey or conversion is required to make this a reality?

Over the course of two hours, each group developed a statement outlining the call, along with reflections arising from the second question. These draft calls were then collected by Brothers Neville Solomon and Michael Green, who will refine the wording and present them back to the Brothers tomorrow.

Following this work, the Chapter moved into further discussion on the Provincial Council and what it might look like into the future.

Brothers were invited to reflect on key questions:

• What is required of a Provincial Councillor today?

• What qualities are needed at this point in the Province’s life?

How should the next Provincial Council look like

Each table was encouraged to engage in a question-and-answer conversation with Brothers who have served, or are currently serving, on the Provincial Council.

Brothers who have served on the Council spoke about the breadth of knowledge required of a Provincial Councillor. While no one is expected to be an expert in every area, councillors need a working understanding of key aspects of provincial life, including finance, formation, professional standards, governance, and the operation of boards. Where expertise is lacking, the Council regularly invites others - such as finance and safeguarding professionals - to attend meetings, provide reports, and guide decision-making.

Another theme that emerged was the challenge of serving in a multinational Province. Brothers noted the importance of councillors investing time and energy in understanding cultures and realities beyond their own experience. It was shared that this understanding is fostered through visitations, extended time in different regions, and listening carefully to local voices. In this context, delegates and regional leaders play an important role in helping the Council remain connected to the lived realities of Brothers in different countries.

Several tables also reflected on the personal qualities needed in Provincial Councillors. Beyond skills and experience, there was strong agreement that councillors must be good Brothers - men capable of living community, praying together, supporting one another, and offering honest and respectful dialogue. The Provincial Council was described not only as a governing body, but also as a community that supports the Provincial in discernment and leadership.

The discussion concluded with an emphasis on the need for councillors who can listen deeply and broadly, exercise discernment, and maintain discretion, recognising that many matters discussed at Council level are sensitive and closely tied to the life and wellbeing of the Brothers.

The final session of the day concluded with the Brothers participating in a straw vote, providing an initial indication of those they felt could be considered for election to the Provincial Council. The formal voting will take place tomorrow.

The day ended with a beautiful surprise for Br Peter Carroll, Superior General and former Provincial. On behalf of the Province, Br Darren Burge, the newly elected Provincial, presented Br Peter with a specially created book, compiling poems, articles, and letters written by Brothers, colleagues, and dear friends.

The book was thoughtfully assembled by his Executive Assistant of ten years, Bianca Buda, and professionally printed. Deeply moved by the gesture, Br Peter expressed his heartfelt thanks to his Brothers and to Bianca for creating such a meaningful and lasting tribute.

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