From 28 June to 1 August, concurring with the celebration of the Jubilee of Youth, the Standing Committee of Young Brothers gathered at the Generalate.
These days of fraternal sharing, reflection, discernment and planning have given continuity to the process begun at the Committee’s first meeting in Antananarivo (Madagascar) in November 2024, “a truly enriching experience where we connected with Brothers from all over the world,” as Brother Arockia Samy Jr, from the Lasallian South Asia District, mentioned. “It was a wonderful opportunity to share perspectives and lay the foundations for our Committee’s mission: to serve and empower Young Brothers accross the Institute,” said Brother Arockia.
Connecting with young people
At this second face-to-face meeting, “the Committee took the opportunity to gather in Rome during the Youth Jubilee in order to connect with the young people who made a pilgrimage to Rome for the event,” said Br. Matthew Kotek, from the Midwest District of the United States, who highlighted the important link between the members of the Committee and the Open House at the San Giuseppe de Merode School, as well as the International Gathering of Young Lasallians that took place at the Generalate. These were significant opportunities “to gather together for prayer, get to know each other and the Lasallian Mission in each of their various realities, and to dialogue with one another and with the Brothers of the General Council about their dreams for the future of the Institute,” said Brother Matthew.
“In our meetings, exchanges and sharing, we continued to reflect on how we, as an Institute and as Young Brothers today, have the opportunity to serve on the peripheries and also to live in an international community,” added Brother Urbain Andrinirina, from the District of Madagascar, recalling that “this is one of the ideas that the young Brothers expressed at the last General Assembly.” Therefore, this meeting was a favourable opportunity to reflect “on the different possibilities and places that will help us to experience the idea of a Leavening Project, as the Institute invites us to do”.
Working in a synodal manner
These days of meeting were also conducive to creating spaces for encounter with the Commission on Youth, the Commission on Formation, the International Vocations Team and the Institute’s Organisational Coordinator, says Brother Eduardo Rivera, from the Bolivia-Peru District, “with the aim of creating synergy and working together, either in preparation for upcoming events or to contribute to the reflections that the Commissions are already making”.
“In some cases, it has helped to learn about each other’s projects, add ideas or exchange views,” continues Brother Eduardo. “In others, such as with the Vocations Team, it has been an opportunity to support each other on a topic of great interest, namely the promotion and accompaniment of young people willing to become De La Salle Brothers.”
However, one of the most important elements is the desire to “work in a synodal manner to be more effective in what we want to achieve, avoiding duplication of tasks and seeking greater impact”.
Catechists by vocation
As a way of planning and commitment, Brother Miguel Marcos, from the Arlep District, shares that “on the occasion of the Year of Catechesis, we Young Brothers want to stress how we are ‘Catechists by vocation'”.
In this regard, the Spanish religious anticipates that “the Committee will launch a message written by a Young Brother and invite all the Young Brothers to take part in an online call at the end of September, where we can reflect together on our evangelising mission and look to the future with audacity and creative fidelity”.
“Finally, we have also devoted a significant amount of time to beginning the organisation of the third International Assembly of Young Brothers, which will be held next year, in November 2026.” Some of the topics that will be addressed have to do with “service on the peripheries” and “reflection on ministry of vocations, shared dreams and our vow of stability,” concludes Brother Miguel.