Young Argentinian Lasallians “with hearts on the peripheries” share their experiences with the Superior General
Between 7 and 12 March, the Argentina-Paraguay District enjoyed a special time of gathering and community, on the occasion of the pastoral visit of Brother Armin Luistro, Superior General of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and Brothers Rafael Cerón and Martín Digilio, General Councillors. On their arrival in Argentina, they were welcomed by Brother Nicolás Chamorro, Visitor of the District, and the Community of Brothers in Buenos Aires.
The visit began at the Armstrong Foundation – La Salle González Catán School, where the Brothers shared a fruitful dialogue with a group of young people from Lasallian works in Gran Buenos Aires, who carry out their pastoral mission in various geographical and existential peripheries.
In this way, through testimonies, symbols, images and videos, the young people recounted meaningful experiences “with hearts on the peripheries” that bear witness to the option for the poor embraced by the Church and the Lasallian Family in the light of the Gospel.
Remembering Pope Francis
“As I looked at the photographs and videos with which you have shared your projects, I was reminded of a very special person: Pope Francis”, said Brother Armin, expressing his excitement at visiting Argentina for the first time.
“In each of the activities you carry out with joy and commitment, I can imagine Pope Francis, from heaven, proud of all that you do, for he reminded us, every day, that we must go to the peripheries”, continued the Brother Superior General.
Furthermore, added Br. Armin, “he taught us that every time we go out to meet our brothers and sisters on the peripheries and welcome them, we also encounter and welcome the Lord.” For this reason, “I am certain that in your small experiences God is present; God is there”. “At the end of our lives, God will not ask us how intelligent we were, as Pope Francis also reminded us; his question will be: did you feed the hungry? Did you give drink to the thirsty? Did you clothe those who were naked?… If you did, welcome to the Kingdom of God”, he concluded.
The plenary session with the young people was streamed live to the entire Lasallian network. The gathering was also a fitting occasion to welcome the postulants who are beginning their journey of formation as Brothers of the Christian Schools.
In the afternoon, the day concluded with the celebration of the Eucharist in the chapel of Hogares de Cristo, a Church initiative operating throughout the country to provide comprehensive responses to situations of social vulnerability and substance abuse.
Throughout the week, Brothers Armin, Rafael and Martín took part in various meetings and exchanges with the Brothers of the City of Buenos Aires, with the District Animation Community, and with the communities of various works that express the Lasallian commitment to the peripheries, within the framework of the Leavening Movement, with the training of catechists, such as the Instituto Pastoral de la Adolescencia-Institute for Adolescents (IPA), and with the six schools of the Ladies of Charity (DAC), in connection with the visit to the Instituto Felicia Ramón de Palacios.
Transforming through education
They also took part in meetings at the Instituto La Salle San Martín, where they visited the technical workshops and spent time with final-year secondary school students. “Continue to be part of the transformation through education”, urged Brother Armin.
The journeys continued simultaneously in Córdoba, where Brother Armin and Brother Rafael were present, and in Jujuy, with a visit from Brother Martín. During their visit, they met with the Brothers and the educational communities of the Fundación La Salle Argentina , the Escuela Héctor Valdivieso, located in the town of Malvinas Argentinas (Córdoba), and Colegio La Salle Argüello amongst others, which included the Comunidad Amor-Esperanza and various meetings with students and leadership teams at District level.
At the end of the visit, Brother Armin expressed his gratitude for the welcome and warmth received during the days spent together, emphasising “his admiration for the educators who carry forward the La Salle mission, especially in the peripheries”.