Live Jesus in our hearts! Dear Brothers and members of the Signum Fidei Fraternities,

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1 SIGNUM FIDEI 1 Live Jesus in our hearts! 20, December, 2009 Dear Brothers and members of the Signum Fidei Fraternities, Greetings to you from Rome, where I returned a few days ago after having visited various Signum Fidei groups in the Districts of Cental America-Panama and Antilles-South Mexico. This trip was a great grace from God since I got to know so many Lasallians in so many countries who many years ago felt a call to live their faith and to consecrate themselves as Signum Fidei members. Some have already celebrated their silver anniversary. In the section on INFORMATION I sent you the first report of these visits. Christmas is again knocking at the door of our heart to help us to grow during another year in the awareness of God's presence in our lives and in our world. I invite you to interiorize the deep spirituality of the wonderful Lasallian expression: "Live, Jesus, in our hearts," especially during these days so that our actions SHOW that EMMANUEL, God-with-us, really made his dwelling among us (John 1: 14) and remains always at our side. Christian tradition tells us that in the past the early Church celebrated four "comings" or "manifestations" of the Lord in one feast: that of EPIPHANY, a Greek word that means MANIFESTATION. Said manifestations were: the birth of Jesus, the visit of the wise men, the baptism and the wedding feast at Cana. I believe that it is worth the effort as Lasallians, since we have assumed to be a "SIGN of FAITH" that we recover the overall vision of these four epiphanies and that we interiorize the message that surrounds them for the living out of our faith and our mission. I offer you some ideas on this topic. I have always been struck when I saw how these four moments in the life of Jesus were repeated frequently in the upper portions of the porticos of ancient Roman churches, as if to tell us that it is through the understanding of these events that we can enter into the temple and celebrate the faith as a Church community. The birth of Jesus, the Nativity, has become the most universal Christian feast, celebrated even by non- Christian groups. We are reminded that God so loved the world that he gave his only Son (John 3: 16) to reveal to us that he was truly God and how much he loved us. What a great contrast between the image that the people of Israel had created and the God of Jesus! On reflecting on the birth of Jesus, De La Salle focuses on, among other things, the COMING of Jesus to each one of us and he asks us to prepare in our inner selves a worthy place. Let us dispose our hearts he tells us to receive him in such a way that he may be pleased to make his home there (Meditation 85). De La Salle knew that only if we welcomed Jesus inside us would we be able to convey his presence with our words and actions. This is also the desire expressed in our Style of Life when it states that all members of Signum Fidei "tend to be the living presence of Jesus in the world" (17e).

2 The feast of the Magi has as its background the Jewish rejection of the person of Jesus and the favorable reception of the Christian faith on the part of the non-believers. The text is a "midrash" or an interpretation that has as its purpose to proclaim the universality of the message of Jesus. That child, sought by Herod in order to kill him and adored by the Magi, comes to establish a universal kingdom where no one is excluded. De La Salle used this feast to teach us to look at things in life with "eyes of faith," because only in that way will we be able to discover Jesus present in others: "We cannot sufficiently admire the faith of the holy Magi...they behold a new, extraordinary star...they leave for a distant land to seek one whom they do not know, who is not known even in his own land" (Meditation 96.1). Surprisingly, once they get to Bethlehem, the Magi, guided by faith, are able to recognize the king they were seeking in a stable instead of a palace, resting in a manger instead of on a throne and accompanied by his parents and some animals as his only retinue. Our "Style of Life" invites us to adopt the believing attitude of the Magi and to fulfill the same mission as that extraordinary star led the Magi to discover. Every member of Signum Fidei "Prepares and leads those whom God has entrusted to them to welcome Jesus Christ as Savior" (19). In addition, in the same way that De La Salle asked of the Brothers that they know how to recognize Jesus Christ underneath the rags of the poor children they teach, every Signum Fidei member is also invited to recognize the image of Jesus in each person (17). A Brazilian song says: "How beautiful is the religion for those who believe more than they know." Let us learn the lesson from the Magi, also called "wise men." Knowing is important but in the end only faith leads us to Jesus and leads us to recognize his presence in others, no matter how distorted and hidden his image may be. During the baptism of Jesus, the Spirit makes manifest the identity of Jesus and his mission: He is the Son who comes to save us. He will always be a part of God and his favorite ones: the poor. Like Jesus, by baptism we too are committed to connect with God's saving plan. The expression "You are my beloved Son" is extended to every human being by virtue of baptism. Every human being deserves to live that dignity in the highest way possible. That is why Jesus struggles to free men and women from all slavery that binds them. We need to bring up again the profound meaning of baptism, thanks to which we can live the experience of divine filiation and human fraternity. In our documents is says that our consecration finds its roots in baptismal consecration. What do we mean by this? The Style of Life document states that Signum Fidei members make "a personal consecration, as a reaffirmation of Baptism, in a public act, which commits them to live the demands of the Gospel (59). Do we know what these demands are? Are we willing to live them in our families, in community, in the mission or work that we do? God will continue to manifest himself and say to everyone: "You are my son, my daughter" through the living out of our baptismal consecration, in the way that we take the Gospel seriously, in the way we live out love and mercy for our neighbors and in particular for those who need us the most. The text of the wedding feast at Cana sets us before the person of Jesus on the one hand, manifesting himself as another citizen, participating in family events in a natural way and, on the other hand, before the one who has the power to transform reality, "changing water into wine." The "theology of the banquet" begins with the wedding feast at Cana and ends with the last supper in the upper room. Between these two events Jesus appears numerous times participating in banquets with friends (and sometimes with enemies) and family members. Few things in life reflect what a family is than the act of being seated together at the same table. Banquets and weddings are a Messianic sign that proclaim the arrival of God's Kingdom to the world and foretell the Kingdom of heaven. 2

3 One of the prayers of the Church during Advent, inspired in this very topic, says: "Lord, prepare our hearts so that, when your Son comes, he will find us worthy to sit at his table and to be invited by him to the table of his heavenly kingdom" (Wednesday of the 1 st week of Advent). But the presence of Jesus at that wedding has other valuable meaning for us. Jesus blesses the newlyweds with his presence. Like them, a Signum Fidei members recognizes his "specific vocation in the Lord's call to form a family." To this idea, the Style of Life adds: "Every member of Signum Fidei belongs to a family, which is their first community. In that way God's presence is promoted within it" (23) and it is "a witness of Jesus the Savior in a family atmosphere" (12). What a beautiful message! A good exegesis of the text tells us also that the miracle, the "sign" of Cana, is not just a simple conversion of water into wine. The empty earthenware jars, for the ritual purification of the Jews, are a symbol of the dryness of the Jewish religion. That legalistic religion, more oppressive than liberating, with the presence and the message of Jesus is overcome by the wine, the symbol of the joy of the new Kingdom of God. How about if we always ask ourselves, and especially at this time of Christmas, what are our religious celebrations like? Do they have something to do with joy and the desire to see ourselves all seated one day at the same table, here on earth as it will be in the Kingdom of heaven? I conclude this letter with a sincere desire of Peace and Happiness for each of you, for your communities and families during these Christmas days. May all of us during the new year, 2010, continue to be the EPIPHANY of God, strengthening the bonds that unite us in the Signum Fidei fraternities. May our lives encourage others to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and Saint John Baptist de La Salle. Fraternally yours in Christ and in De La Salle, 3 H. Alberto Gómez Barruso Asesor Internacional Signum Fidei (See NEWS on next page)

4 Signum Fidei NEWS 4 VISIT TO THE DISTRICT OF CENTRAL AMERICA - PANAMA From October 25 to December 8 I visited the fraternities in the District of Central America- Panama. All together there are 8 Signum Fidei fraternities in which there are 54 consecrated members and 12 aspirants. What follows is a brief report on these visits. Panama The local Brother Advisor: Brother José Morales. The Coordinator: Mr. Luis Wong. On October 25 when I arrived in Panama I was warmly received by Brothers Cecelio Herrera and José Morales, the District Advisor for Signum Fidei. The first visit was to the new San Miguel Febres Cordero School which is close to the Tocumen airport. This school is composed of 700 students who are taught in two shifts. Luis Wong supervises this school. After visiting this school we went to the La Salle School in the capital where we greeted the 8 Brothers in the community there. After supper, I had my first meeting with the 15 Signum Fidei members from Panama. We met for about one and one-half hours during which time I offered a historical as well as the current view of the worldwide Fraternity reality and we spoke about the challenges that need to be faced at the current time. A series of interesting questions followed this presentation. Some of the members of the group have already celebrated their silver anniversary of consecration. Nicaragua: FOURTH DISTRICT ASSEMBLY Managua: Brother Moisés Rodríguez Coordinator: Ms. Rita González Managua: MONSIGNOR LEZCANO: Advisor: Brother Moisés Rodríguez Coordinator: Ileana del Rosario LEON: Advisor: Brother Omael Yuen Coordinator: Fátima Vargas The FOURTH SIGNUM FIDEI DISTRICT ASSEMBLY was held in the city of Managua on October 30, 31 and November 1. Four Brothers and 37 Signum Fidei members attended and they came from Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Nicaragua. Brother Visitor Otto from the District of Central America-Panama opened the Assembly and then Br. Alberto offered his intervention. During this year all the Signum Fidei communities have been reflecting on topics related to the "Style of Life." There was a common sharing on these topics and at the end of each topic Brothers Alberto and Otto had an opportunity to offer their own suggestions and comments. There was also time for socializing, prayer, fun and even an excursion. The Fourth Assembly was a great experience in fraternity that showed the strength of the Signum Fidei communities and the good work in accompaniment in this area of Central America. I would like to congratulate the District and all those who helped in preparing for the Assembly. The Signum Fidei

5 5 Fraternity in Central America is a way of Lasallian association which has a long history and a wonderful present reality. GUATEMALA HUEHUETENANGO: Advisor: Brother Horacion Ruiz Coordinator: Basilio Ordoñez. ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA: Advisor: Brother Carlos Laínez Coordinator: Ms. Rosana Giménez Accompanied by Brother Sixto and after five hours of travel we visited the Brothers' community and the Signum Fidei Fraternity of Huehuetenango. One of the members was not able to attend due to illness. We had a long and pleasant meeting, after which we all shared a meal with the Brothers' community. None of the Signum Fidei members was able to attend the Assembly in Nicaragua. Although the group is small, each one of them feels deeply Lasallian and they have felt so for a long time. By their personal testimony one can see that they are very committed and very happy to be living their Lasallian vocation. This is the city in which Brother James Miller was martyred. He was recently declared to be a Servant. To see the T-shirt he was wearing that day, riddled with bullet holes, makes one shudder and yet invites people to follow in the footsteps of so many Brothers and Lasallians who have left us a true lesson in faith and commitment. In Antigua, Guatemala, we had an enjoyable meeting with a group of 10 Signum Fidei aspirants who hope to make their consecration soon. The Brothers of the community invited us to lunch and in the afternoon we gathered for two hours to hear Brother Alberto's presentation and to respond to the questions of the aspirants. This group is very motivated and very desirous of living fully their Lasallian vocation as a member of the Signum Fidei Fraternity. COSTA RICA Advisor: Brother Moisés Obeso Coordinator: Luis Carlos Ureña The members of the Signum Fidei Fraternity in San José, Costa Rica are teachers from the La Salle School where 1,200 primary and secondary school students receive their education. La Salle University also operates there as it has for the past 15 years. In San José there are 11 consecrated members and one aspirant. The meeting was very lively and we spent over three hours together. Not everyone was able to attend but we were able to greet one another at other times since there was a social gathering with the General Council and the Visitors from RELAL, the Brothers and teachers from the school.