Star of the Sea Champagnat Marists, Lay and Brothers, Gather in Fiji for Historic First Family Assembly - Day 1

For the first time since the establishment of the Star of the Sea Province in 2022, lay members of the Champagnat Marist Family and Brothers gathered in Nadi, Fiji, for a dedicated Assembly - a significant milestone in strengthening collaboration, connection, and shared mission across the Province.

The Champagnat Family Assembly, being held from 17–20 May, has brought together 35 Marists from across every country of the Province, including representatives from Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Cambodia, Fiji, Samoa, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu, alongside the Provincial, Br Darren Burge, and General Councillor, Br Rajakumar Soosai Manickam, who will join the group on 18 May.

The Assembly began with participants gathering at a nearby community for Sunday Mass before coming together later in the afternoon for the official opening ceremony. The occasion was marked by a deeply moving traditional Fijian Sevusevu ceremony led by Lay Marists, some of whom had travelled from Lomeri especially for the gathering.

The sevusevu is a traditional Fijian ceremony of welcome and hospitality that carries deep cultural and spiritual significance.

More than a formal greeting, it is a respectful way of asking permission to enter a place, acknowledging the landowners, and recognising the relationship between guests, hosts, land, and community. The presentation of kava, symbolises humility, respect, protection, and blessing, while also carrying the meaning of offering the “first fruits” of the land as a sign of goodwill and peace.

During the ceremony, the Lay Marists, led by Joeli Koroiravudi and Bene Qumi, prepared and shared kava with those present, and offered traditional Fijian shell necklaces as a further sign of respect and hospitality.  

Receiving the ceremony as chief guest, Br Darren Burge expressed his gratitude and reflected on the strong sense of communion experienced throughout the gathering.

“There is a real sense of connection with each other and a sense of common story,” he said. “You are welcoming us, but we are already your brothers and sisters, so thank you.”

He also acknowledged the years of preparation that had led to the Assembly.

“It is wonderful to finally be here,” he said. “This gathering has been a long time in the making,  with the Champagnat Family Commission and Province helping to prepare the way by having regular conversations. We felt it was important to first get to know one another across the Province before coming to this Assembly, so that our time together might have greater depth and direction. That work has now brought us to this moment, and we are ready to explore together.”

Chair of the Champagnat Family Commission, Br Michael Callinan, acknowledged the extensive work of the Commission in preparing for the Assembly and individually recognised its members: Daniel Dungey from Aotearoa New Zealand; Nathan Ahearne, Jess Bryan, Mark O’Farrell and Mark Pauschmann from Australia; Br Siaosi Ioane from Samoa; Br Anitelea Fidow from Fiji; Ruth Hiriru from Solomon Islands; and Br Melquiano Obe from Timor-Leste.

Addressing participants, Br Michael outlined the Commission’s hopes for the coming days, particularly the importance of formation across the Province.“Our focus is on formation, especially the many different formation experiences happening across different parts of our Province. That is not the only thing we will discuss, but it is likely one of the most important.”

He explained that the Commission has been guided by three principal aims: strengthening the Marist Family by fostering identity, connection, and belonging among Champagnat Marists; encouraging and supporting local grassroots initiatives while promoting diversity and cross-cultural learning; and facilitating communication and collaboration across countries and regions through assemblies and other shared formation opportunities.

Since its establishment in 2022, the Star of the Sea Province has placed strong emphasis on empowering the wider Marist Family and deepening participation in the life and mission of the Institute. Central to this vision has been the desire to strengthen relationships across the region, nurture leadership, and create opportunities for formation that unite people across cultures, languages, and experiences.

Over the past three years, the Champagnat Family Commission has steadily laid important foundations for this regional approach, helping to foster networks of connection and a shared commitment to mission throughout the Province.

View more pics from the ceremony:

Read Br Darren’s speech at the opening of the Champagnat Family Assembly 2026

Firstly, it is wonderful to finally be here. This gathering has been a long time in the making, with the shared life work group and the broader province conversations over the past few years helping to prepare the way. We felt it was important to get to know one another across the province before coming to this assembly, so that our time together might have greater depth and direction. That work has now brought us to this moment, and we are ready to explore together.

I would like to tell you a story that remains deeply important to me. A few years ago, I had the rare opportunity to sit quietly in Marcellin’s room at the Hermitage for about 20 minutes with just one other person. On previous visits, I had been part of groups and was conscious of the history and significance of the place. This time, I simply sat, became still, and allowed myself to be present in the moment. What rose within me was a deep sense of peace - a feeling of being completely at home. 

In a real sense, the place itself became secondary. What mattered was the experience of being at home in myself and in the Marist life I have been given - a life that is not bound by geography or history. That moment affirmed my place in the continuing story begun by Marcellin, a story that remains as relevant today as it was then. I felt grateful for the invitation into that story and for the chance to share in its continuation with others. It also brought to mind the brothers and many other Marists who have walked this journey with me, some of whom are here today.

That experience at the Hermitage echoed many other moments I have shared with Marists - in prayer, in dialogue, and even in simple recreation - where I have felt at home, part of a family, and in the right place. What a privilege it is to walk together, guided by the Holy Spirit and accompanied by Mary, our good mother, as we continue to live Marcellin’s legacy.

There are a few things I would like to draw from that experience as food for thought at the start of this gathering.

First, it took place at the Hermitage, the place where our institute was founded. That is the foundation of our shared story, and it continues to inspire us as we seek to build a new hermitage together - a common home we all share.

Second, it gave me a strong sense of unity with other Marists. I cannot live this story alone. It is a communal experience, and we all know that to be true. I was reminded of this again at the recent General Chapter in the Philippines, where, during morning prayer, we reflected on the image of Marcellin the Builder. In that silence, I felt a remarkable sense of unity, centred on the Hermitage, on Marcellin, and on our common story. Others later said they felt the same.

Third, the experience was deeply spiritual. The connection I felt went far beyond the surface. It was something of the heart. I think many of us have known moments like that, and it is God who brings us there - and here.

Fourth, this story is not limited by geography or history. That is essential for this gathering. We should not allow our history to constrain what we dream here. Synodality, so often spoken of today, is about discerning together, as a community, what God is calling us to in this moment. The Holy Spirit is always drawing us toward something new, something we have not yet fully realised. So let us not be restricted by our history. Let us listen carefully to one another, go beyond what is on the surface, and slowly and faithfully discern a way forward.

Nor should we be limited by geography. We have much to learn from one another’s cultures, and that learning can enrich us greatly. But culture can also limit us. Our shared culture is our Marist Catholic faith, lived in the way of Mary. It is a culture of love, one that frees us from unnecessary pressure, expectation, and worry, and allows us to dream together.

I also want to recall the calls of the General Chapter and our own Provincial Chapter, held here in Fiji last December. They identified some important priorities for our reflection. We are called to be builders of a culture of vocation, not just promoters of vocation, but people who come to understand and own our own vocation in a lasting way.

We are called to be builders of a living spirituality - something that is alive in each of us and continues to grow. We are called to be builders of communion, and the warmth of the welcome we have already received is a sign of that. But communion must go further. It must embrace everyone, because we are all connected.

We are also called to be builders of servant leadership - leadership that is synodal, that listens to everyone, and recognises that each person has something to contribute. And we are called to be builders of good news. The world needs good news, now more than ever, and this gathering is one way we commit ourselves to being bearers of that good news.

Our Provincial Chapter also highlighted three key priorities: community, formation, and sustainability. We want to strengthen our communities, especially where they are fragile and in need of support. We want to continue deepening formation, which is itself a formative experience, and we want to ensure sustainability - not only financial sustainability and the wise use of resources, but also the sustaining of our people and our mission.

Marist life and mission have been shaped by our shared experience and commitment over many years, giving meaning and purpose to our lives. They continue to open us to new spaces and call us to walk together into a future that is not yet known, but one that we can shape together. Every person in this room has a place in that task. We want to hear your voice over the coming days - your ideas, your inspirations. Please speak up. We want to listen to you, and we want to listen to one another.

After all, this is our shared story - not just mine, not just the brothers’, but everyone’s story. And because it is shared, it is meaningful. We do not know exactly what the future holds, but we do know that we are helping to shape it. This is a beginning, and it is God’s story too.

Despite our limitations, despite the fragilities we carry, and despite the challenges of sustainability and human resources, we are working to bring God’s project to life in Mary’s way. That is a significant calling. With God’s help and by working together, I believe we can achieve extraordinary things.

 The outcomes of this assembly will be listened to and included in our vision for the future of Marist life and our shared story, our shared future. So I encourage you to participate wholeheartedly as we journey together over the next few days - to share our story and shape our future.

Thank you.

Read Br Michael Callinan’s Speech at the opening ceremony of the Champagnat Family Assembly 2026

Three years ago, there was a clear invitation to establish something new. With clear guiding directions and terms of reference, the Champagne Family Commission was formed. As chair of the commission, I want to acknowledge how helpful each of the members have been in the thinking and dreaming that has brought us here. When we met face to face for the first time here in Fiji last year, we began asking where we might hold our first assembly. Some people generously offered their countries as a possible venue, but it was clear that the first gathering needed to be held here, in this central and significant place within our province.

This has also been shaped by the hopes of the previous council and the current council, who have worked steadily with Darren Lee toward clarifying the broader scope and purpose of the commission. That work has included preparing for this first Champagne assembly for our province.

What do we hope to achieve in these days together? Our focus is on formation, especially the many different formation experiences happening across different parts of our province. That is not the only thing we will discuss, but it is likely one of the most important.

The commission has been working toward three main aims. First, to strengthen the Marist Family by fostering connection, identity, and belonging among Champagne Marists, including existing groups and emerging new ones. Second, to encourage and support local initiatives, always promoting grassroots efforts while also ensuring diversity and real cross-cultural learning. Third, to facilitate communication and collaboration by finding effective ways to share experiences and work together across national and regional boundaries, including through assemblies like this and through other joint formation opportunities.

How can the Star of the Sea be a shining light across the Marist world? That is what we are seeking to reflect on together.

I know this assembly will ask a lot of you, so I encourage you to rest well tonight. We will need patience, openness, and generosity in the days ahead. We are in a very safe place for meeting and dialogue, and Darren has already spoken well about why this is so. He has also encouraged us to speak honestly and openly, because others want to hear from us.

If we do that well, this will be a worthwhile journey. We have leaders here from schools, assistant principals, directors of mission, educators, and many others. Almost all of us have made sacrifices to be here, leaving behind families, communities, and responsibilities. Because of that, we need to make the most of this time.

Let us be generous with our time, attentive in our listening, and patient with one another, even where language may be a challenge. If we do that, we will achieve something truly worthwhile.

Thank you especially to the delegates for what you will offer in these days, and thank you to all Champagne Marists and to everyone in Fiji who has kept us in your prayers. We are deeply grateful.

So let us do good work together. Let us continue to share hospitality, listen well, and walk forward together.