Sabbatical

Toyko, which means Eastern Capital, is a city of 12 million people with 8 million in the city proper. Japan has a population of 127 million. Buddhism and Shintoism are the main religions, although Japanese people like to celebrate Christmas each year. In the 17th Century, Toyko was larger than Paris and London when Japanese society was very peaceful. There are no casinos in Japan. Public transport is excellent in Tokyo. Interestingly on the bus from Narita airport to Tokyo, we were asked not to use our mobile telephones, as they annoy other people on the bus. Education is valued in Japan. There are 750 Universities and 450 2 Year Colleges. 76% of the Universities and 88% of the 2 Year Colleges are run privately. Parents aim to get their children into a good school. ... read more

Franciscans International is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) founded nearly 25 years ago. It is the first common Franciscan ministry, representing approximately one million Franciscan sisters and brothers in over 160 countries. Franciscan International strives to help those most in need, particularly in the areas of justice, peace, the care of creation and the promotion of human rights. Franciscans International has General Consultative Status at the United Nations with offices in Geneva, New York and Bangkok. The Marist Brothers are involved through the presence of Br Cesar Henriquez as are other Congregations including four Christian Brothers under the banner of Edmund Rice International, including Donal Leader and Brian Bond and the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, including Denise Boyle as Executive Director. President of the International Board of Directors of Franciscans I... read more

Zamora is a city known as 'The Living Romanesque Museum' due to the artistic mark left by the 12th Century on its many notable churches. 70,000 people live in the city which is located on a hill overlooking the River Duero, about 30 km from Salamanca. The city was seized by the Romans from the Celtic tribes. Many people visit the city during Holy Week to see one or more of the seventeen religious processions which take place during this week.... read more

Our third Marist Higher Education Conference began today at the Pontifical Catholic University of Salamanca in Spain. The thirty participants hail from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Philippines and Spain. The general thrust of the conference is to find ways that the various Universities and other Marist Education Centres can share Marist knowledge and programmes and offer exchanges for students and staff. A number of papers were presented to the Conference including 1. 'Marist Mission in Tertiary Education'; 2. Project contributing to the training in Marist Spirituality and Mission at an International Level and 3. World Network of Marist Institutions of Higher Education. During the Conference Br Manoel Alves informed me he has located four copies of a book written by Marcellin Champagnat. It is titled 'Principles De Lecture a L'Usage Des Petits Freres de ... read more

Alocala De Henares is a city of 220,000 people located 35 km north east of Madrid. The name ‘Alcala De Henares’ is Arabic for ‘Castle of the Heneres’ - Heneres being the nearby river. Alcala is a Moorish Arabic word for fortification. The conquering Romas moved to this site in 1 BC, becoming the only Roman town in the Madrid region. The Moors arrived in 711 subduing the now Visigothic city and founded another site for the city. In 1118, the city was reconquered by the Archbishop of Toledo. In the 1480s, Christopher Columbus met here with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, who financed the travel for the discovery of America. It is one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites and one of the first bishoprics founded in Spain. In 1496 Cardinal Cisneros founded a University which ... read more