Revitalizing the Prophetic and Collaborative Global Leadership and the Charism of the Institute of the Marist Brothers: Challenges and Opportunities

Title: Revitalizing the Prophetic and Collaborative Global Leadership and the Charism of the Institute of the Marist Brothers: Challenges and Opportunities This PhD research represents an exploration of the constituent elements for the Institute of the Marist Brothers to be able to form prophetic and collaborative leaders who contribute to the vitality and continuity of the Marist charism. It considers the essential elements of the formation of prophetic and collaborative global leaders who can contribute to the vitality and continuity of the charism of the Institute of the Marist Brothers. The study aims to examine the global leadership role that the General Council of the Institute of the Marist Brothers plays in ensuring the formation of prophetic and collaborative leaders. At the same time, the study identifies current strengths, challenges and opportunities in Marist leaders’ formation processes that enable those leaders to contribute to the Institute’s capacity to ensure the continuity and vitality of the Marist charism in the contemporary world. The literature review key themes include the charism and leadership of Marcellin Champagnat in the foundation of the Institute of the Marist Brothers; the Marist Charism and concepts and formation of prophetic and collaborative global leadership. The study employs mixed methods to understand the use of various data collection and analysis processes, both quantitative and qualitative, and to gather different points of view on the object of study. The research relied on a quantitative and qualitative online questionnaire, answered by 57 participants (Brothers and lay Marists) representing 26 Administrative Units across five continents and the Marist Secretariat of Laity of the Institute of the Marist Brothers. In addition, eight members of the General Council of the Marist Institute participated in semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Based on the analysis of the quantitative and qualitative responses from the online questionnaire and the face-to-face semi-structured interviews, it was possible to identify the essential elements for the formation of prophetic and collaborative global leaders for the vitality of the Marist charism. The research findings identify the key role of the General Council as a promoter and facilitator of the formation of leaders at the global level, as well as the strengths, challenges and windows of opportunity faced by the Marist Institute in ensuring the future of the Marist charism. The study determines that although progress has been made, considerable effort is still needed on the part of the Institute for the formation of current and future Marist leaders. The study also confirms the need to reinforce further shared knowledge, vision and direction for the future of the Marist charism among leaders, and especially laypeople, as well as to ensure the spiritual care, accompaniment and strengthening of their formation processes. The study espouses the urgency for defining and implementing global institutional policies and guidelines for the formation of current leaders and for the attraction and preparation of new leaders. The study concludes by advocating for facilitating the formation of prophetic and collaborative global leaders through strengthening the communion and co-responsibility of Brothers and laity for the Marist charism, as well as the need to define their place and role in the Marist life and mission. All this will require further articulation and considerable commitment from Brothers and lay Marists engaged in the Marist life and mission at all levels and institutional segments. Keywords: Global Leadership. Prophetic Leadership. Collaborative Leadership. Marist Charism. Charism vitality. Charism transmission. Marist Leadership. Formation of Leaders.