A North Star to weave the future

The 2026 Plenary Assembly, held at the Generalate in Rome from 20 to 26 September, is part of a wider process of listening to the Brothers of the Christian Schools worldwide, which began in 2025 with the ‘Institute Survey’. “We were able to listen to all the voices and we were able to initiate a number of discernment processes in the Districts and at a global level,” explains Brother Martín Digilio, General Councillor, adding that “this entire process of listening culminated in the 2026 Plenary Assembly, which was dedicated exclusively to the life of the Brothers, the mission of the Brothers, and the vocation of the Brothers”.

Indeed, as an expression of the desire and commitment of the Brother Superior General and the General Council to pursue synodal pathways, “walking together, listening to one another and deciding together through discernment”, the Brother Visitors of the Institute have spent a week exploring the challenges “in a world marked by uncertainty, technological transformation, armed conflicts, forced displacement and, to a large extent, a profound existential void, [where] we must reflect on the presence, meaning and mission of Consecrated Life within the Church”, as noted by Br. Luis Gustavo Meléndez, who was part of the Assembly’s organising team.

Hence, “one of the main challenges lies in reclaiming the very heart of Consecrated Life: the relationship with God and the experience of consecration”, continues Brother Luis Gustavo, emphasising that “religious formation cannot be limited to professional preparation for the mission; […] equally essential must be the task of strengthening the spiritual life and a sound theological formation”.

This means that “for the Brothers, the educational mission cannot be separated from religious consecration”, as Brother Luis Gustavo, recalling that, within the context of educational service, “consecration to Christ leads to missionary commissioning  and a commitment to the social and existential peripheries”, since “Religious Life, particularly the Lasallian tradition, must be capable of responding creatively to educational, socio-political and cultural challenges, always grounded in its Christological foundation and with a clear evangelical mission”.

However, the search for creative responses to the challenges facing the Brother’s vocation also involves strengthening synodal and forums for participation and discernment. “The key question is, how do we become better at listening to one another and trying to reach consensus in contrast to simply voting ‘yes’ or ‘no’?” states Brother Larry Schatz, who has also been part of the organising team. “This requires patience, of course, but also a deeper, more focused listening to one another. And the end result is to create a sense of ‘buy-in’ and responsibility at every level of the Institute, recognising that listening, dialogue, participation and consultation are essential for authentic communal discernment, co-responsibility and seeking for God’s will together in the service of the mission.”

“In some ways, it is simply easier to just vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’, but what we are doing is much more truer to our spirit of ‘together and by association’, as we continue to chart a course for our beloved Institute,” adds Brother Larry.

This implies addressing the necessary renewal of community life. “This challenges me directly: how do I care for my community? And the question we have put on the table at the Assembly is the same, on a larger scale: how do we renew our communities so that they may be living places of vocation, care and mission?”, asserts Brother David García, from the organising team.

“One sentence that really caught my attention from the findings of the Global Survey was written by a Brother who needs support and can no longer go to the classroom; he wrote: ‘Praying for you is my new class.’ Therein, for me, lies everything that the theme of the renewal of our fraternity calls us to consider.” Specifically, Brother David has referred to three necessary steps: “realism: looking at the situation of each community and each District truthfully, without resignation or nostalgia; care: not only looking after elderly or frail Brothers, but recognising that the life of every Brother continues to be fruitful for everyone; and renewal: we believe that fraternity can continue to be a school of listening, discernment and mission”.

“To weave the future, we need several threads: fraternity, prayer, mission to the most impoverished, and the call to a vocation,” suggested Brother Louis Mjalli, who was also part of the Assembly’s organising team, when referring to the importance of pastoral ministry of vocations based on four verbs: stimulate, accompany, propose, discern.

“We are called to build a true ecosystem of hope: vibrant, open and fraternal communities, where a young person can enter, meet others, serve… and perhaps hear a call,” noted Brother Louis, suggesting, in turn, the imperative to “once again have the courage to propose,  with simplicity, the vocation of a Brother: a life of self-giving, in the footsteps of Christ the Servant, in the service of young people and the poorest”. “Because, ultimately, weaving hope means weaving together the future of the mission and the future of vocations,” he remarked.

Under this title, the remarks delivered by Br Armin Luistro, Superior General of the Institute, at the conclusion of the Assembly, reflected on the journey undertaken from the 46^th General Chapter in May 2022 to this Plenary Assembly. “We discovered that sparks from distinct horizons were shining in perfect resonance, naturally converging as five radiant rays that together illuminate a single, compelling vision: (1) Lasallian identity in the World Today; (2) Lasallian formation for Mission; (3) Connectivity as ‘One La Salle’; (4) New Wineskins for Governance; and (5)  Global Network for Inclusive Education”.

In detailing the implications of this challenging vision for 2029, Brother Armin emphasised that “when these five movements are woven together, the Lasallian Star shines brightly. Radiating at its centre is a single, cross-cutting core: prophetic boldness with our hearts firmly at the peripheries”.

“This sacred centre,” continued the Brother Superior General, “serves as the moral compass for our entire pilgrimage. It reassures us that strategic restructuring, digital networks and synodal governance models are never ends in themselves- they are created solely to serve those who are still far from salvation.”

“Brothers, the North Star is in view, but it does not move towards us- we must walk towards it. Let us not simply carry the baton for these remaining twenty-seven months [until the 47^th General Chapter]; let us run so boldly that, when we pass it forward, the fire of our charism burns brighter at  the peripheries than ever before!”