Community Life

Living in a Marist Community

By Iosefo Nakavulevu

Constitution 28 and 29 of the Society of Mary says:

'Nothing will contribute more to the attainment of the goals of the society than the deep mutual love of its members. Marists respect each other as brothers in the Lord and strive to set aside all that may divide them. They must avoid all discrimination which might arise from difference of race, nation, region, or culture. They try to understand each other, to listen, to communicate frequently in friendship, and to go beyond their own views and interests for the sake of the Kingdom."

Living in a Marist community is a unique experience full of life that reminds me that the early Christian community stood out because of how they loved each other. Daily community life is a marvellous adventure, where each new day brings new experiences encouraging growth. Festive dinner It is like a two way street involving both giving and receiving, so that by the end of the day one discovers the beauty of each member of the community and their own special way of contributing to the community. The Marist community where I am living is a place where I can be myself without fear and constraint.

There are many things that I find attractive about living in a Marist community. Apart from its daily program of prayers, meetings, meals and personal responsibilities, community life has a far wider horizon than I ever expected. Living in a Marist community is a great gift that I have learned to appreciate over the years. It is a place where I discovered more about myself and challenged to grow not only spiritually, but also on a wider human level: a place where I have learned to appreciate the unique and irreplaceable gift of the other person.

Living in a Marist community, challenges and pushed me to make my own contribution. And sometimes these contributions are discovered through lucky accidents. I remember one Sunday when we were all bustling in our kitchen trying to cook our lunch. I'm not what one would call a good cook, but I had volunteered to make the marinate for the food with a special sauce that I had mixed. I was a bit hesitant to use it but thankfully everybody liked it and whenever there is a barbecue that sauce is always used.

A positive aspect of Living in the Marist seminary is that the team of formators are sensible and pastorally weathered priests, who have vast experience on the pastoral field and in religious life and offer an wealth of knowledge and are a real inspiration. It also helps that the priests are fun to live with, full of joy and active.

Marist community life demands a lot, especially in the giving of self, and it is through this demand that I have discovered the capacity to grow in several areas of my life, and hope to continue to grow as I journey towards priesthood. I will conclude with constitution number 224:

In brotherly love, Marists strengthen the bonds of friendship by the frank exchange of hopes and concerns. They avoid all that provokes disharmony and envy. They ensure that their diversity enriches the community rather than create discord and division.