The Power of Presence

The Marist Brothers' Province of the United States now consists of 154 brothers, 85 of whom are retired and 69 are still in the active work force. Over 100 participated in an assembly which concluded yesterday. It was amazing to experience the vitality still present among these men who ranged from our youngest to some in their 90's. The energy which was generated in the presentations and discussions around the topics of mission, prayer and community filled us all with hope, confidence and motivation to continue to live our Marist Brotherhood with the zeal we had when we first entered. Indeed, the theme was a "New Way of Being Brother", which translated into some basics that Fr. Champagnat instituted at our very beginnings. Strong among these is the "power of presence": being aware of the power provided by God's abiding presence and love, enabling us to "do the impossible." Again it was affirmed that God answers prayers, and works through us to help others simply by our presence and actions, not necessarily by our words. Seeing the presence of God in others enables us to bond with them as we realize that God is loving us through them as he is showing his love to them through us.
The power generated by this equation, for example, is enabling a new community to take shape in Spanish Harlem to address the dire needs of recent immigrants. Astounding too is the news that our retired brothers in Canada have opened three new communities to allow young men and women who are hungering and thirsting for silence, prayer and communal life to live with them. It seems that the "silent revolution" of the sixties, which has led to a very secular society in Canada, has reached its limit and now a reaction to the emptiness this revolution has caused is unfolding. Thank God the Marist Brothers are again present to the needs of the times and are there to supply help and guidance as we were in post-revolutionary France. Age does not seem to be a hindrance to new and exciting endeavors, but brings the wisdom gained through experience to the POWER OF PRESENCE.
Bro. Rene