{"id":125364,"date":"2026-05-14T11:39:34","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T09:39:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/?p=125364"},"modified":"2026-05-14T11:41:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T09:41:18","slug":"brother-marcelo-salami-incarnate-spirituality-is-a-faith-embodied-in-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/brother-marcelo-salami-incarnate-spirituality-is-a-faith-embodied-in-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Brother Marcelo Salami: \u201cIncarnate spirituality is a faith embodied in history\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Celebrating the proclamation of Saint John Baptist de La Salle as Universal Patron of Educators \u2014by Pope Pius XII, on 15 May 1950\u2014is an occasion to \u201cdraw\u201d from the sources of Lasallian spirituality, where \u201ca key element is the integration of faith and life\u201d, which implies \u201cnot separating our state of life from what we do\u201d, as Brother Marcelo Salami, of the Brazil-Chile District, explains in LaSalleOrg Interviews.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

Spirit of faith and zeal<\/b><\/h2><\/div>

\u201cThe first principle of our Lasallian spirituality is the spirit of faith and zeal,\u201d continues the Lasallian religious. It is a matter of recognising that \u201cGod guides history\u201d and of understanding that \u201cGod is revealed in people, in the community, in events\u2026 He is a God who is present. And that is why, in our daily prayer, we remember God\u2019s presence, because God makes himself present in the community, in people and in events\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

In this way, we are also called to \u201clive our spirituality from within the community. It is the place where we experience God\u2019s presence in our daily lives, where we also discern his will day by day, and where we contemplate his presence\u201d, says Brother Marcelo.<\/span><\/p>\n

This also implies \u201cembracing our discipleship of Jesus Christ\u201d, \u201cthe centrality of Jesus Christ and his cause\u201d, for \u201cwe are not followers of the Church, nor of the Institute, but rather we follow the person of Jesus Christ and his message, his Gospel\u201d, explains the Brazilian religious.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

Faith has consequences<\/b><\/h2><\/div>

\u201cAnd finally, I would emphasise that Lasallian spirituality is a faith embodied in history. It is not an abstract faith; it is a faith that has concrete consequences in our lives, in the life of the community, and in the lives of individuals. A faith that does not ignore suffering, that does not ignore pain, that does not ignore the various forms of violence\u2026 it is a faith that moves us to provide concrete responses to people\u2019s needs\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In a society where many young people and children \u201cexperience of being orphaned\u201d, Brother Marcelo maintains that \u201cas Lasallians, our faith must also lead us to live out that dimension of the presence of the father and the presence of the mother, in some way, within our educational communities\u201d. We are the spiritual fathers and mothers of our students!<\/span><\/p>\n

How can we cultivate Lasallian spirituality today? \u201cIt is important to participate fully in the community, perhaps being more attentive to God\u2019s presence in the community (\u2026). And to take part in the Lasallian formation opportunities promoted by the Pastoral team, including some participation in volunteer ministry programs,\u201d suggests Brother Marcelo. \u201cAnd let us not forget: we follow a person, Jesus Christ, and his message found in the Gospels,\u201d he concludes.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>