QUEST 2026: Ten Marist Brothers complete month-long formation program at MAPAC
- maristbrothers
- 2 hours ago
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After four weeks of formation, community building and learning, ten young Marist Brothers from across the Asia-Pacific region have completed the 2026 QUEST Program at the Marist Asia-Pacific Centre (MAPAC).
The month-long program brought together young Brothers preparing for the next stages of their vocation, providing opportunities for spiritual growth, deeper understanding of Marist identity, and fraternity across cultures.
When asked about their key areas of growth, several themes emerged. One participant reflected:
"My key area of growth during these weeks has been listening. I have learned to listen more deeply to God, to others, and to my own inner voice. This has helped me to be more present, open, and understanding in my vocation and community life."
Another participant highlighted how QUEST deepened his understanding of the evangelical vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
"My key area of growth was understanding and living the three vows. During these weeks, I grew in Poverty by learning to live simply, in Chastity by building genuine, loving relationships in community, and in Obedience by listening more humbly to God’s will and to my leaders."
A third participant reflected on the program's impact on his understanding of his vocation:
“My key area of growth was knowing better who I am and how I can live the consecrated life.”
The final week of QUEST included several significant moments of formation and celebration. Participants began the week with an input session from Fr Agustinus Supur CMF, a Claretian priest, who reflected on the mystical and prophetic dimensions of consecrated life.
Fr Agustinus reminded the Brothers of the unique nature of their vocation, sharing that according to 2023 statistics, Catholic religious men and women represent just 0.009 per cent of the world’s population. He encouraged them to see their vocation not through numbers, but through the image of the Eucharist - as people who are chosen, blessed, broken and shared for the life of the world.
That evening, Fr Agustinus presided at a liturgy during which the three Vietnamese participants - Br Bùi Văn Đức, Br Lê Danh Hải and Br Lê Văn Nghị - renewed their vows. For many of the novices present, it was their first experience witnessing such a sacred and moving moment.
The Brothers also strengthened their sense of international fraternity through an online gathering with five African Marist Brothers participating in a formation program at the Marist Formation Centre in Orlu, Nigeria. Bringing together Brothers from across Africa and Asia-Pacific, the meeting highlighted the shared mission and vocation that connects Marists around the world.
A highlight of QUEST each year is the participants' final synthesis presentations. These presentations provide an opportunity for the Brothers to reflect on their identity, vocation and personal growth. Through creative expressions including storytelling and other forms of presentation, they shared the experiences that have shaped their journey during the program.
The final day of the program became a celebration of thanksgiving. It began with a creative prayer pilgrimage through significant locations around MAPAC, where participants gave thanks for the gifts of spirituality, joy, connection, nourishment, and wisdom. At one station, the brothers made a MAPAC pledge inspired by the spirit of the Fourvière Pledge, whose
anniversary had been celebrated just two days earlier.
Good formation is about recognising the beauty within each person and helping remove whatever obscures that beauty. It is, in many ways, an art of elimination - letting go of whatever prevents a person from becoming their truest self.
This theme was beautifully expressed during the Thanksgiving prayer. Each brother received a stone from the hillside beside Notre-Dame de l’Hermitage, a reminder of the rocks cleared by St Marcellin and the first brothers to build the Hermitage. As they exchanged these stones, the brothers commissioned one another to continue removing whatever hinders their vocation. It was a moment marked by both reverence and joy.
At the Thanksgiving Mass, inspired by the Gospel of the day (Matthew13:44–52), each QUEST brother briefly shared the "treasure" he had discovered during the program. The predominantly novice congregation was struck by the brothers’ confidence, clarity, and depth as they spoke about their identity and aspirations.
The celebration continued with a Filipino festive meal (Lechon and Balut) followed by games led by the QUEST brothers. Their energy and enthusiasm filled the evening with laughter, friendship, and camaraderie.
The month concluded with profound gratitude - for the journey shared, the growth witnessed, and the privilege of accompanying these young men as they continue a vocational path that is, in every sense, 0.009% less ordinary.
-Story and pictures courtesy Br Tony Leon
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