3 days for a Meeting! The various Fraternities of the Mennaisian Family of Haiti meet at the Juniorate of Petionville, every year, from December 26th to 28th, to live this Session in Joy. It is a moment that is greatly appreciated and awaited by all members. This year, to limit travel because of insecurity, the meetings were organized by sectors. Echoes.
The Fraternities of Ouanaminthe and Cap-Haitien met in Cap-Haitien, those of Les Cayes, Jacmel and La Vallée in La Vallée and those of Port au Prince, at the Juniorate of Petionville.
“Living fraternity in times of crisis” was the theme that guided our reflections, sharing and testimonies.
It was a matter for each one of us to welcome Fraternity as a gift of God, a gift bearing the seeds of Humanity, Justice, Peace, Hospitality and Solidarity. A gift that the Creator invites us to make fruitful through personal and responsible behaviour.
Testimony and Appeal
The testimonies of some members were very enlightening. As they went through great moments of desolation, they continued to live in hope sustained by the hand of God but also by the attention, friendship and comfort of the members of their Fraternity.
At the end of the session, we left with the conviction that brotherhood, which is a powerful “factor in the transformation of living together” and hope, are the real remedies to the crisis our Country is experiencing.
“Mennaisians, we hear the call to promote them with generosity and commitment in our lives, in our Schools, in our Communities, in our Families. In spite of our frailties, we carry an invaluable treasure, the Evangelical brotherhood that we must communicate to all the sons and daughters of the same Father, the Creator God.”
Workshops on the Rule of Life of the Brothers
After the session, for two days, we exchanged workshops on the updating of the Rule of Life, chapters 1 to 8. We were struck by the extent of the work that was done by the Central Commission. We congratulate and thank them.
Although tedious, this exercise proved very interesting because the proofreading of the Rule, number by number, allowed us to rediscover it in all its richness, to discuss it and to make proposals. The Brothers greatly appreciated having been associated with this work of Congregation.
Brother Géniaud LAUTURE, Brother Provincial