At the beginning of the year 2025, the pastoral visit of the Superior General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and some Brothers of the General Council to the District of Central America – Panama was marked by the joy of the encounter, fraternal sharing and strengthening of the processes of inculturation in the educational mission. “Their presence renewed the spirit of unity and commitment to the educational mission”.
The pastoral itinerary of Brother Armin Luistro, Superior General, and of Brothers Chris Patiño, Rafael Cerón and Martín Digilio, General Councillors, was focused in Guatemala, where the District headquarters is located, from 20 to 22 January. There they had the opportunity to meet with the Brothers, the teachers, the administrative personnel of the ministries, and those in charge of the educational institutions.
On the first day, the facilities of the Proyecto de Desarrollo Santiago (PRODESSA) were the meeting point for the ministries of Eastern and Central Guatemala, which include the Escuela La Salle de Tierra Nueva, the Colegio La Salle de La Antigua Guatemala, the Liceo La Salle de Chiquimula, and the Escuela Maya San Pedro as well as the Instituto Madre Miriam Simón, both located in El Estor. Previously, the Superior General held a fraternal meeting with the collaborators of the Instituto Mixto Intercultural Santiago, the Scholasticate Community and the young people of the Casa de Formación San José.
Bilingual education and respect for the Mayan world view
“In this significant gathering we have allowed ourselves to be inspired by the words of Brother Armin Armin, who shared a message of hope, highlighting the commitment to continue strengthening the educational and pastoral mission in the region, as well as a broad gaze at the challenges posed by inter and multiculturalism, especially in the Mayan population, in the processes of bilingual education and respect for the Mayan world view, without losing sight of the journey of the Church, people of God, which focuses its gaze on Jesus and the God of mercy”.
On the second day of the pastoral visit, Brother Superior General and the Brother Councillors travelled to Lago de Atitlán. In San Juan La Laguna, on the shores of this magnificent lake, is the Colegio Católico San Juan, where they were enthusiastically honoured by the educational community and the civil and ecclesiastical authorities, as well as the families of the students. There the Brothers exchanged experiences and realities, and also participated in a cultural display highlighting local traditions. Afterwards, they visited the Brothers’ community in Santa María Visitación.
Finally, in the city of Huehuetenango, where Blessed Brother James Miller was martyred in 1982, a meaningful meeting took place with the educational communities of the ministries in the west of the country, which gathered at Colegio La Salle de Huehuetenango. It was an opportunity to share with students and Lasallian collaborators, and included a visit to the Museum of Blessed Brother James Miller, where they evoked his legacy and inspiration for all Lasallians.
Meeting with Brothers of Perpetual Vows of RELAL Norte
In the following days, on his return to the capital of the country, Brother Superior General took part in the Meeting of Brothers in Perpetual Vows of RELAL Norte, which took place from 21 to 25 January in the Casa de Encuentros La Salle, with the participation of 40 Brothers in perpetual vows up to 45 years of age, coming from nine countries and belonging to the Districts of North Mexico, Antilles – South Mexico and Central America – Panama.
The meeting, coordinated by a commission of Brothers under the leadership of Brother Vinicio González, Secretary General of RELAL, was also attended by Brother Álvaro Rodríguez, former Superior General of the Institute.
The spaces for fraternal dialogue and the participative dynamics that were developed, provided an experience marked by fraternity, communion and the desire to “continue to walk together in the face of the educational challenges of the three Districts of RELAL Norte“.
* Article prepared in collaboration with the Central America-Panama District.
