I arrived at the Monastery of Las Avellanas, already at night, with an open heart to this second week of formation of the course "Marist Identity and Deepening". Silence, peace, harmony in that imposing building that welcomed a clean and starry sky like never before. Inside: Greetings, hugs, kisses, joy... for seeing each other again, for being together,
for sharing... and really, that shows.
The week of March 2 to 6 has been intense in varied, novel experiences, prepared with the heart because they came to me and confirmed that, Marists, we are a big family! Let us not lose our identity because it is a strength that we have the duty to transmit to the generations of students and teachers of the xxi century; to transmit from passion, involvement, vocation..., the legacy of Father Champagnat who accompanies us on a daily basis in our mission.
Lluis, LLorenç, Pedro José, Pere, THANK YOU for your knowledge and good work. You have managed to improve my personal knowledge, to enlighten me with my Marist vocation, to open me to a new vision of society and of today's youth and to bring me closer to the Good Mother to accompany me in my task. I cannot forget the experience in "La Llar" and in the "Gabella Association". The most needy, Marcelino said, and those contexts are of extreme need. With what simplicity both directors told us, their day to day!
I remember with special fondness the Marian catechesis. The Virgin of the hill who takes care of the monastery and each of those who are housed in it. The Virgin of the cemetery, of the embrace, of come to me, of the I will help you and accompany you. The Virgin of the fountain that with its proximity to the enclosure reminds us of words that we have all heard many times: Closeness, presence ... The Virgin of the Church and her countenance of peace and welcome. I remember the moments of prayer: The ice well, the pediment, the cemetery ..., the moments of silence and reflection in the impressive nature of the pre-Pyrenees, the walks in good company that enrich the coexistence ... I remember everything, I miss it and I lack the words, you have to live it. THANK YOU to Pere for his enthusiasm and involvement and to the young man who explained the history of the Monastery.
THANK YOU to the community of Marist Brothers of Las Avellanas and THANK YOU for his loving gift.
Andreu, Angel, THANK YOU for your good morning and good night, for your smile, for your care, for your good humor, for the visits to the Holy Family and Santa María del Mar, to the Maremagnum... THANK YOU for making me feel like I wished the week wasn't over.
Each day led to lots of ideas, emotions, feelings... that in the silence of the Cloister, stoked a personal sense of pride and admiration for the opportunity to have met you, Marist Brothers. How do you get
from your honesty reach us to the heart, to the soul!
I could continue to tell experiences because there are many more; but, I want to end by telling you that THANK YOU ALLAgain. THANK YOU to you, my dear companions of formation, we have created a strong bond that unites us. THANK YOU for so many moments of laughter, of fun, of complicity, of help, of prayer... It has been a pleasure to meet you.
María de las Nieves Martín Barbón. San José del Parque School. Madrid. Iberian Prov.