Putting Out into the Deep: Star of the Sea Province Begins Its Second Provincial Chapter in Fiji

On December 14, the Second Provincial Chapter of the Star of the Sea Province officially began in Nadi, Fiji. The gathering opened with a beautiful celebration of the Eucharist, followed by a deeply moving traditional Fijian ceremony. The Chapter brought together 25 Brothers from across the Province, joined by Br Peter Carroll, the newly elected Superior General and former Provincial of the Star of the Sea Province.

The newly elected Provincial, Br Darren Burge, led the opening session, Spiritual Conversation/Communal Discernment. Two key documents were introduced, including the Provincial Council Report. Brothers were invited to sit with these documents in silence, creating space for personal reflection before entering into a shared spiritual conversation that concluded the session.

From the outset, the gathering was shaped as a reflective and prayerful experience, drawing particularly on the image of Mary of Silence - one of Pope Francis’ favoured Marian images.

While it is customary for the outgoing Provincial, (in this case, Br Peter Carroll), to present a report, this Chapter took an unusual and fruitful approach by also inviting the current Provincial Council to collaboratively write and present a report. Two reports were therefore prepared: Br Peter’s and from the Provincial Council. Although distinct in style, both shared many common themes. This process proved enriching and opened space for honest dialogue and questioning about the future.

“Our experience as a Provincial Council is fairly unique,” Br Darren noted in his presentation. He drew on the mystical insight of Meister Eckhart, who asks, “What good is it if Christ is born in Bethlehem, but not within me?” Saint Augustine echoes this wisdom, reminding us that we must become God’s mother, allowing the deepest part of our being to become a sacred manger.

“For this to happen - for us to become that manger,” Br Darren explained, “we need to let go. If our inner space is cluttered, there is little room for new life to be born. When we truly understand this, our sense of brotherhood naturally flows outward to others.”

With this in mind, the Chapter began by posing a simple yet demanding question:

What must we do in the next three years that is different from what we have done in the past?

A second guiding question, Br Darren said, was drawn from Pope Francis following the 2007 Latin American Bishops’ Conference:

How is the Spirit asking us to change in order to carry out our mission in these new circumstances?

Using the image of an iceberg, Br Darren reflected on the depth of the Brothers’ spiritual life. While the visible fruit of ministry is important, he emphasised that its fruitfulness depends on the depth and quality of what lies beneath the surface of a Brother’s contemplative life.

Three years ago, uniting eleven countries across diverse cultures was an ambitious undertaking, he added. Yet again and again, the Province has returned to a shared story that binds it together: a common commitment to making Jesus known and loved in the way of Mary. This shared identity, Br Darren noted, has proven both powerful and sustaining.

While there are undeniable fragilities across the Province, there is also clear evidence of extraordinary dedication, passion, and care for the Marist mission.

Reflecting on the first Chapter, Br Darren explained that it did not begin with directives or strategic plans. Instead, it began with listening and dialogue - an approach that continues to shape the Province’s journey.

The session also addressed the practical structures that support communion and mission: a shared provincial identity, effective communication (including the Province website and newsletters), communities of dialogue, and Province-wide forums. Governance structures were clarified, affirming the central role of the Provincial Council while respecting subsidiarity and local responsibility.

Trust boards, incorporated bodies, sector delegates, reference groups, commissions, and committees were all acknowledged as vital contributors to a common identity across the Province.

The role of the Executive Director of Marist Ministries, Mark Pauschmann, was highlighted as central to supporting communities, strengthening networks, and fostering opportunities for formation.

Like the General Chapter, this Chapter adopted a synodal process that involved a genuine practice of listening, formation, and shared discernment.

Br Darren concluded by reflecting that the first Chapter was largely about “navigating the waters,” a task that continues. However, this Chapter’s theme “Putting out into the deep” reminds the Province that the journey does not end with navigation alone. The deeper question is what is bubbling from within - from hearts, prayer, and shared life.

There, the Chapter trusts, the answers will be found as it continues to ask:

What must we do? and How is the Spirit asking us to change in order to carry out our mission in these new circumstances?

The session then moved into a carefully structured process of spiritual conversation, designed to encourage attentive listening and thoughtful reflection. Using a strict time framework, each Brother was given two minutes to respond to a guiding question, with a bell signalling the transition from one speaker to the next.

If a participant finished early, the remaining time was intentionally held in silence. Rather than fostering discussion or debate, the process emphasised listening.

It unfolded in three stages: first, each person shared what had personally stood out to them; next, Brothers reflected on what had resonated from the contributions of others; and finally, the group spent a concluding minute discerning what was emerging collectively.

The guiding questions focused on what had caught their attention in the Provincial Council report, what they had heard within the group, and what appeared to be taking shape for the Province as a whole.

The key points emerging from these discussions were then written onto fish cut-outs and placed on a net, in keeping with the theme of the Chapter.

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