The III Marist International Mission Assembly (MIMA) ended last Sunday, 14th April, in El Escorial (Madrid), after a week of intense reflections, exchanges and commitments. This event brought together 119 representatives from the 25 administrative units, the Marist networks, the General Administration, the Marist family and other guests under the motto “We are a global family,” resonating in every session and conversation.

In his inaugural address, Br Ernesto Sanchez, Superior General, stressed the importance of walking together as a global family. For him, this motto contains the essence of the Marist mission: a common purpose that unites us across geographical and cultural boundaries. In his words, “walking” represents the constant movement required to advance the mission. On the other hand, “family” emphasises that it is a living organism in which the diversity of its members is necessary for its vitality. Finally, “global” reminds us that we are part of one body whose parts are found in different locations. This confirms our call to build networks and bridges that unite us.

The assembly had four main objectives: to share experiences, listen to realities, discern priorities, and propose guidelines and strategies for the Marist Mission worldwide. These objectives were reflected in the draft prepared by the preparatory commission as a conclusion to the meeting, which will be sent to the entire Institute. It sets out the most urgent needs to be addressed and the priority strategies to be further developed, but not the only ones.

1. Marist evangelising education of quality, which educates the world and is transformative.
2. Promotion and protection of the rights of children and young people.
3. Marist Spirituality as a source of meaning and care for life.
4. Participation and commitment of children, adolescents and young people through active and sensitive listening spaces.
5. Care for family relationships to nurture these same minors.
6. Care for our common home.
7. Promotion of mental health, well-being, and holistic care of people.

In the footsteps of Marcellin

A highlight of the closing ceremony was the official launch of the document In the Footsteps of Marcellin Champagnat: Marist Educational Mission, which in 2023 celebrated 25 years since its first publication. This update not only honours the fundamental intuitions of the original text but also incorporates new realities, proposals, and orientations from a contemporary perspective. “It is a text that, as well as inspiring, seeks to encourage the journey of Marists in the mission ‘looking beyond,’ in a future full of hope and challenges,” Br Ernesto Sánchez comments in the presentation of the document.

At the close of the assembly, the participants, to fulfil the wish of our founder, “May it be said of you, see how the Brothers love one another… the Marists of Champagnat”, sang a song (which we share below), and sent a message to all the agents of the Marist mission in the world, which will be received shortly through the social networks of the Institute:

We are a global family, we are brothers and sisters,
We are your eyes and ears, your arms and your heart.
On mission, Champagnat.
In the mission.

In short, MIMA 2024 was not only a space for sharing ideas and setting priorities but also an opportunity to renew our commitment to the Marist mission in a world that needs more than ever the values of solidarity, justice, and love, based and grounded in the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus. In the words of Marcellin Champagnat himself, “To educate children well, we must love them and love them all equally.”