nternational Bulletin
April 2019
Number
Do unto us! Dear young men and women, members and friends of the Vincentian Marian Youth: during our II General Assembly which was held in Rome, we presented a formation guide that was intended to assist the National Councils with regard to forming and accompanying the members of our Association.
We understand formation as a process that supposes stages/levels: an initial stage followed by other stages that will prepare the members for their journey while at the same time providing them with new knowledge, renewing them in spirit, assisting them in the acquisition and development of those gifts and talents that will enable them to confront the challenges of the twenty-first century. During the IV General Assembly which was held in in one single moment but rather is an on-going process of Salamanca, Spain (2015), we stated the following: We enrichment in the knowledge of our spirituality, values, vision, continue to insist upon the development, the revision and the mission, personal development and growth in faith). Therefore, updating of our various formation processes and desire that we must offer young people an adequate formation that has as the social doctrine of the church become a priority (Final its starting point, life and that ends also with life. Document, #2.1.). Through means of this process we With this new, revised, updated and contextualized edition, we attempt to assist the young men and women develop their also want to help each young person to be able to discern their potential and at the same we want to provide them with new vocation. material that will enable them to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ, instruments of the new evangelization and thus, "The world changes fast ‌ not updating ourselves is incapacitating and ultimately, it is accommodating ourselves to good Vincentians. the way things are" (Fr. Benito Martinez, C.M.). What can I do We have the need to form ourselves and it is also true that as a member of the VMY to humanize this disoriented world? formation is also a right and an obligation. In other words, Four centuries later, we continue to possess a charism that is we need to acquire the essential knowledge, develop our valid for today and futuristic in its vision. I, as a young person, gifts and talents and strengthen the fundamental skills so if I want to know what God wants of me, it is necessary that I that we can be better men and women while at the same do what God wants me to do. In order to not distant myself time serving in a more effective manner. In accord with the from the will of God; I must capacitate myself Social Doctrine of the Church, the Formation Processes that by forming myself in the light of the Gospel. we developed and have used since 2005 seek integral human Therefore, as Mary said to the angel so I must development, which is the development of all men and be able to say: do unto me according to your women and the development of the whole man and woman. word. Being a Vincentian Marian Youth is a lifestyle that demands careful formation, (a formation that is not accomplished .
Bienvenu Fouda International Councilor VMY
AFRICA
Algeria:
The president of the VMY in Algeria had a meeting with the advisor, Sister Margaret and other Sisters who collaborate with the Association. They dialogued about their experience in the VMY and the different ways in which they have lived the message of Pope Francis (a message of love and respect for Mary). The members continue their activities as they encourage the membership, especially those young men and women who are students. Nigeria: The Vincentian Marian Youth Nigeria participated in the Annual General Meeting of the Vincentian Family Nigeria Famvin held at Divine Love Retreat and Conference center DRACC Abuja with the theme "Systemic Approach Towards Our Service Of The Poor Today in Nigeria". They were duly represented by National President, National Vice-president and Emene Unit President.
AMERICA
El Salvador
The community of the VMY in Santa Tecla participated in a celebration of the Eucharist which marked the beginning of this group. Present also for this celebration were members from the group in San Salvador and Chalatenango. The Eucharist was celebrated in the Louise de Marillac Educational Center. The members promised to serve the poor, thus following in the steps of Jesus Christ and Saint Vincent de Paul. Each individual, having completed twenty-three months of preparation, was presented with a certificate.
Puerto Rico The members held their annual activity: fall in love with the VMY. The participants began by sharing their retreat experience, their experience of the visit by the International President and their experience in Panama (Vincentian Youth Gathering and World Youth Day). An invited guest led the group in a reflection on the different forms of love: agape (divine love), eros (love between a couple), and filial love (family love). Through a group dynamic the participants were able to discuss these different forms of love and deepen their understanding of the various concepts.
Colombia The members of the group in Cali participated in the School of Monitors in Calcedonia (Valle) ‌ there all of Marian Associations gather together. The theme of this gathering was: Let us draw closer to the Vincentian charism. This experience motivated the participants to continue to serve Jesus in the person of those men and women who are poor.
EUROPE
Greece:
The Archdiocese in Greece organized the 16th National Catholic Youth encounter held in Patra. There were 22 VMY members and two adult coordinators who participated in the meeting. The group won first prize for the karaoke contest and second price for the dance contest. The day concluded with the opportunity to participate in the sacrament of Reconciliation and a Pontifical Mass that was celebrated by the Bishop of Syros. Bosnia and Herzegovina: To celebrate the World Down Syndrome Day last March 21, the VMY Bosnia and Herzegovina in Livno treated the youth with disabilities and with Down syndrome to a day of fun and love. They started the celebration by bringing them to a concert, and then spent the day playing with the local basketball team through the invitation of the local coach.
The Lay Advisor
FORMATION Now that very day two of them were traveling ‌ Jesus himself drew near and walked with them (Luke 24:13, 15).
Who carries on this mission? Have you ever read the Apostolic Exhortation of John Paul II, Christifideles Liaci (On the Vocation and the Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World)? Our commitment, which we received at the time of our Baptism, demands that we collaborate and work together for a better world, a world filled with hope and love. That commitment is part of our mission. Laymen and women as well as consecrated religious share in the task of advisor. We involve ourselves in a process of formation in order to know how to carry out that task is an effective manner. Young men and women should not be fearful to take on that role because Jesus will be with you and inspire you to carry out that task: he [Christ] Father Irving Amaro, CM will always be there to restore your strength and your hope (Francis, Christus Vivit, International Subdirector #2) There is much that must be done in our world, in the midst of the reality in which we live, and in the midst of the reality in which young people move about. In his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), Pope Francis encourages us to be a Church that goes forth, a community of missionary disciples who are involved and supportive, who bear fruit and rejoice (#24), people who understand the reality in which young people find themselves. In the Vincentian Marian Youth we also have a document entitled, Role and Tasks of the Advisor, where we find a profile of the advisor and a description of their tasks. There is another document that we are preparing, The Lay Advisor in the Vincentian Marian Youth. Young people want to be listened to. When people engage in such a process of listening, many different human realities and feelings are discovered, some of which are quite positive and others not so positive. Therefore, there is a need for qualified advisors who are able to communicate their empathy to the young people who live in midst of this globalized, digital world where so many young people find themselves in a vulnerable situation. It would be good to review once again the final document from the recent Synod of Bishops, Christo Vivit (Christ is alive!). In that document one will find all that is needed in order to minister as a committed lay person and as an authentic youth advisor (the first chapter of this document attempts to answer the question: what does the Word of God have to say about young people (CV, #5-21); the second chapter presents Christ, ever young (CV, #22-48) as well as some young saints who are worthy of imitation (CV, #69-63). This service and ministry is a continuation of the mission of Jesus Christ (where does Jesus send us? There are no borders, not limits: she sends us everywhere [CV, #177]). Young men and women are the Church of today and we must be ever mindful of that reality. Let us continue to sow among them the Word of God so that there might be a bountiful harvest. Let us, then, prepare ourselves to be the best lay advisors, knowing that with the proper formation, anything is possible.
Witness When we think about our life and analyze the manner in which we choose our friends, we realize that we chose to walk together with those persons whom we trust ‌ and we trust only those persons whom we know on a deep level. Therefore, to walk with Christ implies that we must know him so that with confidence we are able to enter into a relationship with him. We know that living our faith in this manner as members of the Vincentian Marian Youth means that we need to be accompanied on our journey and that we must engage in a structured formation process while at the same time being open to confront the real challenges of today’s world.
Alice Margarida Da Costa Santos VMY Portugal
Aware of the importance of formation in order to deepen the faith of young men and women, the VMY in Portugal has invested much effort in creating a better catechetical program. In recent years the Association has developed strategies to provide the members with a common language, a greater unity, and a program based on themes. We are now involved in developed new themes that revolve around the relationship of the young person with God and the social concerns of a church in constant transformation.
This renewal program follows the lines of action that are outlined in the Final Document of the 2015 General Assembly. This has been a lengthy and challenging work but one that has brought together several young men and women who have enriched the formation process by sharing their opinions and perspectives. The formation process in Portugal is enriched by various regional and national meetings that promote reflection and discussion with regard to theme of the Pastoral Year. This year, for the purpose of invigorating the missionary charism of our Association and recognizing the movement of the Holy Spirit in all those persons who make a commitment to get off their sofa in order to serve those person who are in need, we propose the following motto: animated by the Spirit, engage in the mission! In addition to these regional and national meetings, the local groups prepare a theme for the year (they do this by taking into consideration the formation plan that is sent to them at the beginning of each year … this plan includes bibliographical material and other important information). We also take into consideration the material that the parish provides us in order to deepen in the members their sense of unity with the Diocese to which they belong.
We highlight here the formation program that has been implemented in the southern part of the country which consists of an exchange of young people who offer to develop the formation process in a group to which they do not belong (this exchange enriches the experience and knowledge of all those involved in this process). . We feel confident that the path that the VMY in Portugal has embarked upon with regard to formation reflects the desire of young people to know God, to draw closer to the church and to be more deeply united with Mary and with Saint Vincent.
The Director General of the VMY, Father Tomaž Mavrič, CM, has confirmed and published the following appointments: Fr. Eddison Johan León Martínez, CM (National Priest Advisor in Colombia); Brother Diego Anibal Martínez, CM (Provincial Director of APU), E. Shakti Srikant Montry (President, Northern India). March 8-11: the annual meeting of the International Council of the Association. Present at the meeting were: Yancarlos Carrasco (President), Fr. Tomaž Mavrič (Director General), Sister Carmen Pérez González (General Councilor for the Daughters of Charity), Fr. Irving Amaro (Sub-Director), Sister Bernardita García Ortín (International Delegate); Bienvenu Fouda (Councilor for Africa), Andrew Gadgy (Councilor for Asia), Rafael Cruz (Councilor for America), Ricardo Ferreira (Councilor for Europe). Members of the International Secretariat participated in the meeting of those responsible for communication in the different branches of the Vincentian Family. This meeting was held at the Headquarters of the National Council of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Spain. Some of the themes that were discussed were: the Vincentian Family and its reality in the world; a three-year communication plan; the Vincentian Music Festival. The Vincentian Family published a statement of solidarity with the people of Venezuela. Please help us to spread this message in order to help our brothers and sisters in that country. In order to view and download the document go to: https://famv.in/Venezuela_EN (English)
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