Our Lasallian Trinity - Consecration, Community and Mission Bro Ed Phelan

For many years of my life I felt pulled among: the Lasallian mission – that is, all the “doing” for children and adults; and the spiritual life – the “being” for God; and, community - the “being” for others. It was a form of tri-ism that often made me feel guilty. These three tensions are being brought together today by the best minds of the De La Salle Christian Brothers in a special two week program in Roma. Their answer to this tension and the direction of the Brothers is set – association for the educational service of the poor.

This vow is the basic expression of the consecration of the Brother for the glory of God. By means of it he lives the other vows. It is the “axis of understanding” the identity of the Brother. This vow is totally aimed at the mission of service to the poor. And finally it is all about being together in all kinds of communities and in association for God and the poor. This one concept can unify our whole life today just as it did for De La Salle. Go for it.

Ed Phelan, CIL

phelane@gmail.com

Final blog from CIL

CIL 2010:  THE FINAL DAYS:  UNDERSTANDING THE LIVING LASALLIAN ASSOCIATION TODAY
 
Our schedule for this week is clearly reflective that the experience of CIL 2010 will soon come to an end.  This week is being spent completing the outlines and summaries for Individual and Group Projects which are attempts for energizing, enhancing, animating the movement  of Association within our communities, districts, ministries, regions.
 
We received an historical overview of the vow of Association from Br. Diego and a forum on the process of revising the Rule of the Brothers which is being prepared for the next general chapter. The forum with Br. Leonardo and Br. Diego allowed for important interaction from the CIL Brother Participants.
 
Wednesday is the feast of the Immaculate Conception and holiday in Rome.  Participants will join the Generalte Community for Mass.  The afternoon will be free for exploring the treasures of Rome.  Thursday is a day of reflection and retreat.
 
On Friday, the final day, participants will be asked to give a brief personal reflection on their experience of CIL 2010.  Br. Alphonso, CIL Director, and Br. Tom Johnson, Vicar will provide concluding remarks.
 
Brother Participants are anxious to return to home ministries and communities to share the CIL 2010 experience with all.