From 23 to 25 August 2024, the Marist District of Asia (MDA) welcomed Lay Marists and Brothers from across India, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam to the first Laity gathering for the MDA region, held at the Cistercian Retreat House in beautiful Vung Tau, Vietnam, about two hours (or four hours with traffic!) south of Ho Chi Minh city.
The gathering was facilitated by the Assistant Director, Secretariat of the Laity, Mark O’Farrell (Australia), Elma Brafil (Philippines), Extended Secretariat of the Laity, and Dan Dungey (New Zealand), Lay Partnership Coordinator for the Pacific. Accompanying the group were Brothers from Cambodia, Thailand and India supported by MDA District Leader Br. Canísio Willrich and Laity organiser Br Bao Nguyen from Vietnam.
The visit was a significant event for the region, fostering much collaboration and shared understanding across administrative units for Lay Marists and Brothers living and working within MDA. The first afternoon was spent in welcomes and introduction with Br Bao leading the opening prayer and reflection activities for the group as they familiarised themselves with each other and their idyllic hilltop retreat venue for the next few days.
On the second day, participants reflected on their life experiences, each getting to know each other’s realities better on the topic, “Who are We” and “Why are we here?” led by Dan Dungey. Br Michael Potter shared insights on the topic of Vocation and discussed where we are going as a Marist family. Mark O’Farrell and Elma Brafil led the afternoon on the theme of the Lay Marist Vocation and the challenges of “Living my vocation today.”
Information was shared on the formation pathways and latest updates from the International Forum on the Lay Marist Vocation about the Secretariat of the Laity’s initiatives over the past three years developing structures and formalising steps for those interested in becoming a Lay Marist. The close of the day saw a wonderful dinner and social night with participants from each country sharing songs, dance and cultural items to build harmony and understanding as we all ‘gathered around the same table’.
The third and final day began with a beautiful Sunday mass at 6am with the sun rising across Ganh Rai Bay before the morning session led by Br Ismael and Br Jiji titled, “Champagnat Marists in Asia and My Country”. Participants had time to reflect, share with each other and begin discussions about how lay groups could begin to connect more broadly across the region and start exploring the place of a Laity Commission for MDA. Focussed time was given to “What can we do as MDA, Brothers and Lay” to continue to grow as a Marist family. Some time was given to practical issues such as how to organise themselves and connect, share, pray and spend time with other in formation.
The afternoon saw a visit by the group to climb the stairs to the beautiful statue of Our Lady of Bai Dau Vung Tau for our closing liturgy and prayer. Atop the hill with the shrine to Mary as our backdrop, the group had a ‘Fourviere’ moment where participants made their shared prayer, commitment and petitions to grow the MDA family. All participants were gifted with a beautiful statue of Our Lady of Vung Tau and the prayer card of Ruah to carry back to their countries to continue to inspire their work and mission with the Holy Spirit and Mary to guide them.
After an enriching visit, the group returned to their respective communities on Monday morning. Heartfelt gratitude to the Marist District of Asia and the Secretariat of the Laity for their solidarity, support and collaboration in mission to create this historic gathering and hope it is the start of many more to come to see the growth of Marist life across MDA region. A huge thank you to Br Canisio, the MDA District Leader, and Br Bao, the Laity Convenor, for their incredible efforts in organising and convening this gathering.
Written by Mark O’Farrell, Secretariat of the Laity
Pic courtesy - Mark O'Farrell
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