{"id":127497,"date":"2026-09-30T20:13:06","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T18:13:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/?p=127497"},"modified":"2026-10-01T13:00:35","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T11:00:35","slug":"a-north-star-to-weave-the-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/a-north-star-to-weave-the-future\/","title":{"rendered":"A North Star to weave the future"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The 2026 Plenary Assembly<\/a>, 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 \u2018Institute Survey\u2019<\/a>. \u201cWe 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<\/strong>,\u201d explains Brother Mart\u00edn Digilio, General Councillor, adding that \u201cthis 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\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Walking, listening and discerning together<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

Indeed, as an expression of the desire and commitment of the Brother Superior General and the General Council to pursue synodal pathways, \u201cwalking together, listening to one another and deciding together through discernment\u201d, the Brother Visitors of the Institute have spent a week exploring the challenges \u201cin 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<\/strong>\u201d, as noted by Br. Luis Gustavo Mel\u00e9ndez, who was part of the Assembly\u2019s organising team.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Reclaiming the heart of Consecrated Life<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

Hence, \u201cone of the main challenges lies in reclaiming the very heart of Consecrated Life: the relationship with God and the experience of consecration\u201d, continues Brother Luis Gustavo, emphasising that \u201creligious formation cannot be limited to professional preparation for the mission; [\u2026] equally essential must be the task of strengthening the spiritual life and a sound theological formation<\/strong>\u201d.<\/p>\n

This means that \u201cfor the Brothers, the educational mission cannot be separated from religious consecration\u201d<\/strong>, as Brother Luis Gustavo, recalling that, within the context of educational service, \u201cconsecration to Christ leads to missionary commissioning \u00a0and a commitment to the social and existential peripheries\u201d, since \u201cReligious 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\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Synodal method of discernment<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

However, the search for creative responses to the challenges facing the Brother\u2019s vocation also involves strengthening synodal and forums for participation and discernment. \u201cThe key question is, how do we become better at listening to one another and trying to reach consensus in contrast to simply voting \u2018yes\u2019 or \u2018no\u2019?\u201d <\/strong>states Brother Larry Schatz, who has also been part of the organising team. \u201cThis requires patience, of course, but also a deeper, more focused listening to one another. And the end result is to create a sense of \u2018buy-in\u2019 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\u2019s will together in the service of the mission.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn some ways, it is simply easier to just vote \u2018yes\u2019 or \u2018no\u2019, but what we are doing is much more truer to our spirit of \u2018together and by association<\/strong>\u2019, as we continue to chart a course for our beloved Institute,\u201d adds Brother Larry.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Renewing fraternity<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

This implies addressing the necessary renewal of community life. \u201cThis 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?<\/strong>\u201d, asserts Brother David Garc\u00eda, from the organising team.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne 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: \u2018Praying for you is my new class<\/strong>.\u2019 Therein, for me, lies everything that the theme of the renewal of our fraternity calls us to consider.\u201d Specifically, Brother David has referred to three necessary steps: \u201crealism<\/strong>: looking at the situation of each community and each District truthfully, without resignation or nostalgia; care<\/strong>: not only looking after elderly or frail Brothers, but recognising that the life of every Brother continues to be fruitful for everyone; and renewal<\/strong>: we believe that fraternity can continue to be a school of listening, discernment and mission\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Called to build an ecosystem of hope<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

\u201cTo weave the future, we need several threads: fraternity, prayer, mission to the most impoverished, and the call to a vocation<\/strong>,\u201d suggested Brother Louis Mjalli, who was also part of the Assembly\u2019s organising team, when referring to the importance of pastoral ministry of vocations based on four verbs: stimulate, accompany, propose, discern.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are called to build a true ecosystem of hope: vibrant, open and fraternal communities, where a young person can enter, meet others, serve\u2026 and perhaps hear a call,\u201d noted Brother Louis, suggesting, in turn, the imperative to \u201conce again have the courage to propose, \u00a0with simplicity, the vocation of a Brother: <\/strong>a life of self-giving, in the footsteps of Christ the Servant, in the service of young people and the poorest\u201d. \u201cBecause, ultimately, weaving hope means weaving together the future of the mission and the future of vocations,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Our North Star towards 2029 and beyond<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

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 46th<\/sup> General Chapter in May 2022 to this Plenary Assembly. \u201cWe 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 \u2018One La Salle\u2019; (4) New Wineskins for Governance; and (5)\u00a0 Global Network for Inclusive Education<\/strong>\u201d.<\/p>\n

In detailing the implications of this challenging vision for 2029, Brother Armin emphasised that \u201cwhen 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<\/strong>\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis sacred centre,\u201d continued the Brother Superior General, \u201cserves 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBrothers, the North Star is in view, but it does not move towards us- we must walk towards it<\/strong>. Let us not simply carry the baton for these remaining twenty-seven months [until the 47th<\/sup> General Chapter]; let us run so boldly that, when we pass it forward, the fire of our charism burns brighter at\u00a0 the peripheries than ever before!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>

Watch the special broadcast from LaSalleOrg News on the 2026 Plenary Assembly below.<\/em><\/strong><\/h2><\/div>