Life of the Congregation (1)

From April 23 to June 1st, 10 young Betharramite religious, lived this important period of their initial formation: the session at Betharram, to deepen their sense of belonging to the Congregation, to experience a multicultural community life, to drink from the source of our spirituality and to let their heart beat in unison with the missionary and international heart of the Congregation.

“The sky I’ll reach and touch”, said Saint Michael. This session helped me to remember all the ways, during the formation, I was obtaining for that; and for throughout the Religious Life I can continue discovering this little piece of sky that Saint Michael touched and left us as an heritage. Now I can feel that I am sent by Betharram to discover and live with others, wherever I am, the joy of love. Br. Victor Manuel Torales Martínez (Vic. Paraguay)

We have to wait for the harvest time to come. “This will be a joyful time when what I have planted will be in full bloom and I will realize that fruits do not come from me! In other words: there are flowers because seeds have been sown …
Fruits will come in God’s time!
Br. Guilherme Glecimar Da Silva (Vic. Brazil)

The different pilgrimages have been for me the occasion of daily conversion, openness to the will of God, to the availability to respond” here I am” to the mission of our congregation. Br. Vincent Worou Dimon (Vic. Côte d’Ivoire)

Among the possible ways to reach God, Michael Garicoits takes the most straight: the way opened by the Incarnate Word saying to his father: “Here I am, God, I have come to do your will.” In other words, the Betharramite international session is to drink from the same source our Founder Father. Br. Eudes Fernández da Silva (Vic. Brésil)

Since I arrived to this beautiful place, God worked my heart with the contact with the brothers from different cultures and ages, throughout the lectures and discovery of the places which were important for our Saint. I thank God and the Congregation for this experience which, without doubt, will always be remembered
in my betharramite religious life.
Br. Raúl Villalba Maylin (Vic. Paraguay)

I discover further the cultural diversities, and the joy to share the same spirituality following a great, humble, passionate and ever-living Basque saint Michael Garicoits. I think I have gleaned the resources for my way of religious life.
Br. Jean-Paul Kissi Ayo (Vic. Holy Land)

The session helped me to know better about the very life of our founder and his spirituality. It was also a joy for me to take part in the session with all other brothers who have come from different countries and cultures and it gave the feeling of being one with our Betharram family. I thank God and those who made this wonderful experience possible. Br. Siluvai Antony (Vic. India)

This is a mystic experience, in our mother house where everything began, makes me able to pray and to reflect about my betharramite vocation and about the generosity of my Ecce Venio. I thank the Congregation for giving us the opportunity to live this beautiful experience, this share among brothers from different realities and cultures, contemplating the “Here I am”, encouraging me to go further, faithful to Betharram and to be always available to be wherever Betharram is. Br. Davi Aparecido Da Silva Lara (Vic. Brazil)

The international 2014 session is one of the most important turning point in my life. I come more closed to our Founder’s spirituality. It is an inner strength for me to live the spirituality
and be the living witness to the humanity.
Br Jacob Biso Puliampally (Vic. India)

The reunion of different cultures at the very foundation in Betharram is just amazing. I could experience how the spark of Michael has let so many hearts get illuminated to radiate the face of Christ throughout the centuries. This session has reaffirmed my firm belief that Betharram means Hope because St. Michael lives in our hearts and Christ is the source of our life and hope that we are Easter people and Alleluia is our song. I am carrying that same spark from here to my vicariate to continue the joy of being Betharramite to share the same happiness with others.
Br. Michael Bistis T. Fernando (Vic. India)