On March 1st all roads led to Manziana, Rome, as the Marist Renewal Team, Brother Barry FMS, Sister Janice SMSM, Father David SM, Sister Marie SM and Brothers Anthony and Andrew FMS awaited the arrival of the participants for the International Spiritual Renewal Experience.
In the early afternoon five SMSM Sisters, five Marist Brothers, five Marist Sisters, three Marist Fathers and one Brother arrived, bringing joy and laughter to the retreat centre. They come from fifteen         different nations: Australia, Cameroon, Congo, Fiji, Korea, Malaysia, Mauritania, New Zealand, Samoa, Senegal,Sri Lanka,Tanzania,Tonga, Wallis, and Zimbabwe. 

The opening Eucharist was celebrated in this beautiful Chapel on the following morning.

Father David presided the Eucharistic Celebration while Brother Barry welcomed the guests;
Father John Hannon, Superior General of the Fathers, Brother Emili Superior General of the Brothers,
Brother Ernesto, General Councillor, Sister Pauline, Assistant General of the SMSM Sisters, Sister Bridget
Assistant General of the Marist Sisters and Sister Miriam Secretary General of  the Marist Sisters.
During the celebration the participants were called forth by their respective Leaders to
‘Spend some time on Holy ground'.

Here Sister Bridget calls forth Noela.

The Liturgy was followed by a delicious lunch when everyone had the opportunity to share their stories.
We pray that this will be a special time of grace for the participants and for the leaders.

Sisters, Miriam,Marie,Clotilde,Noela,Bridget,Mareta,Mariana,Salome.