ChristLife Editorial VOL 145 21 August 2025 - Br Darren Burge, Leader
As Marists, the Visitation in Luke’s gospel (Luke 1: 39-56) can be a deeply enriching paradigm for our individual and communal lives.
The meeting of two women of faith, who are family, and have both just experienced God’s immediate and personal intervention in their lives. God has taken the initiative, and they have been surprised, even shocked, by the favour that has been shown them. They are filled with joy and both bearing new life that needs to be brought into the world. They are vulnerable in this moment and seek understanding and guidance from each other as they share their stories and make sense of what has happened. It’s a moment of intimacy charged by the power of this joy and vulnerability. In reaching out to each other and sharing their story they are empowered to return to their lives as somewhat different women and can give a more grounded and resounding ‘yes’ to their calling.
This too is our story and is the core of who we are as Marists. We walk together as family, sharing our stories of joy, uncertainty and vulnerability and in doing so we make sense of our faith. This motivates me to be involved, and, I imagine, you too.
Adopting a new style of faith sharing
The spiritual conversations at the recent National Assembly in Brisbane marked a new phase of maturity for the Marist Association. Those in attendance highlighted how heartening this experience was as it allowed a depth of sharing in a context of respectful, inclusive listening where all voices were heard. The process was interspersed with moments of contemplative silence which facilitated deeper listening. This style of conversation quickly engendered trust within the group and enabled participants to share their personal experience and faith. This challenges and invites all of us in the Association, especially within our local groups, to adopt a new style and level of faith sharing.
Continuing Spiritual Conversations
First and foremost, we are a spiritual movement with a mission to make Jesus Christ known and loved. Growing and nurturing our relationship with Jesus, both individually and communally, is fundamental to our mission. If we don’t, we will inevitably lose our way. We know from our own experience that the love we have known and received from God is the spark that motivates us to share the ‘good news’ and is a key reason for being in the Association. I can think of no better way than continuing the spiritual conversations and faith sharing started at the National Assembly, or at the least, to adopt the key elements of this style. Like Mary and Elizabeth, we cannot make sense of the mystery of our lives without the support of each other.
Local Groups: places of faith sharing
In this light, I strongly encourage us to re-commit ourselves to our local groups and actively strengthen them as places of faith sharing and spiritual conversation with a special place for the word of God. We can make them places of deeper sharing, not just a quick prayer, a cursory discussion and a bite to eat, but something more meaningful. Let’s give space for this sharing, allowing each person to tell their story or share their insights in a context where no one voice dominates and where people listen with their hearts. If it’s real sharing, we’ll want to come back for more and the vitality of our group will grow. The spirit of these groups will bubble over, and others will be drawn to join us.
The power of an invitation
I also encourage you to consider inviting another person along to your local gatherings. Don’t under-estimate the power of an invitation. As we know, each one of us has been encouraged, inspired and sustained by other people in our own Marist journey.
The depth of people’s faith lives, their desire to share this faith with like hearted people in a safe environment and the accompanying sense of belonging was apparent in word and deed at the National Assembly. Let’s build on this key moment in the Marist Association by doing the same at the local level, using Mary and Elizabeth as our inspiration.
Br Darren Burge FMS
Leader
Marist Association of Saint Marcellin Champagnat