As part of the celebration of the Year of Lasallian Spirituality and the 75th anniversary of the proclamation of St. John Baptist de La Salle as Patron Saint of all Educators, the First Meeting of the Lasallian Charismatic Family was held on 14 May at the Generalate in Rome, with the participation of Br. Armin Luistro, Superior General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, several members of the General Council and some representatives of various Institutes of consecrated life and lay associations which incarnate the charism of the Founder.
Among the women’s religious congregations that took part in the meeting were the De La Salle Guadalupana Sisters, the La Salle Sisters of Vietnam and the University Sisters of Assumption. In the case of the Servantes Lasalliennes de Jesus, they were unable to take part due to the serious socio-political situation in Haiti.
Also present were some members of lay groups, such as Fraternity Signum Fidei, Fraternities of France, Associates and Sorelle Educatrici Lasalliane (Lasallian Educator Sisters)
A common charism that renews itself
“Charismatic families are a reality and a blessing in the Church and, most importantly, they are signs of the vitality of a common charism that renews itself and responds to the realities of today and of the places where we are present and live the mission”, said Brother Carlos Gómez, Vicar General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, in his opening address.
In this sense, recalling that “unity in diversity” is increasingly necessary “when the world calls for prophetic signs, credible institutions, closeness of the Church to the needs of our peoples, and proposals that appeal many to live the action of the Spirit and universal fraternity”, Brother Carlos encouraged to take up the challenge of “unity in mission and communion without uniformity”.
Regarding Lasallian prophetism, Brother Vicar General also raised the possibility that “as a Charismatic Family, present in many countries of the world, in different contexts, works, and particular missions, in addition to our common spirituality, we would have a common voice worldwide, a prophetic word, a constant invitation to defend the rights of children, and the right to quality education for the poorest and most vulnerable”.
“If it is united, the family is stronger”
Brother Mario Chiarapini, Director of the Institute’s Office of Charismatic Family, highlighted that this meeting is the beginning of a dialogue in which it is recognised that “every family is a place of meeting and sharing, where we learn to love and support each other”, strengthen bonds and “promote a sense of belonging”, with the certainty that “if it is united, the family is stronger” and therefore we can “help one another to face future challenges”.
Among the insights and guidelines proposed at the end of the meeting, Brother Mario presented ten proposals for the Lasallian Charismatic Family:
- To live in communion with one another, supporting one another in prayer.
- To initiate and facilitate mutual understanding and dialogue among us for mutual enrichment and collaboration.
- To promote communion among the different vocations and the co-responsibility of their members, following the concrete path of synodality.
- To promote the study of the identity and specific function of each group for a more effective development and action for the benefit of the mission.
- To begin to create complementarity and co-responsibility among all in the service of the mission, and operate in close collaboration for the common educational mission.
- To evaluate the possibility of holding joint formation courses for the benefit of the various members.
- To search together for possible ways to respond to the different challenges that arise in the processes of sharing and updating the charism.
- To share an exchange the many experiences that enhance the charism for mutual enrichment.
- To deepen the possibilities and ways of living the communion of the different vocations and states of life inspired and developed by the same charism, remembering that, before “doing” Lasallian works, there is our “being” Lasallians.
- To carry out some joint works in favour of the most disadvantaged or in the slums or to collaborate more among ourselves to better develop some of the current works.
The way ahead opens up many opportunities from the “culture of encounter” and in the spirit of being one Lasallian Charismatic Family (“One La Salle”). From the website www.lasalle.org we will continue to make visible the identity and mission of the Sisters’ Congregations and groups of lay people who are part of the great Lasallian Charismatic Family.