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Chapecò
With this incentive, I go out to meet the youth scattered in the various parishes of the diocese of Chapecó, a region of southern Brazil, where our delegation is present since 2005. My mission is to meet the youth, follow them, walk together with them, listen to them, encourage them and offer the formation tools of spirituality and ecclesial communion. I also dedicate myself to seeking ways, which stimulate the unity of the various youth groups, to welcome and appreciate each individual in his/her identity. Our charism, a proper working pedagogy and spirituality contribute to the mission of the Church in evangelising the youth, orientating them to discipleship and promoting youth leadership.
In October, during which we intensified our prayer for the missions and celebrated National Youth Day, we carried out many activities such as meetings to reflect upon ‘life project’ as well as the sense of vocation and to be involved in the ecclesial and social life. We also programmed Eucharistic celebrations, special blessings and games; the main objective was that youth may know better Jesus, the young man of Nazareth and be captivated by his life project and follow him as his witnesses. Encountering youth groups and participating in the activities prepared with them and for them is a renewal. Feeling the joy, the energy and the vital force, dynamism and creativity strengthen in us the natural disposition to love youth, in every moment and all situations, promoting their life as the dreamland of the future. We welcome youth as a gift for a favourable future based on the values of the Kingdom, which include abundant life for all because they are the ‘now’ of God as pope Francis says.
Living together with the youth persuades us that, when they feel deeply welcomed in freedom, they walk with us and they show us new ways for other youth – youth evangelising youth – because they communicate, in the same language, in a youthful way, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in the spirit of synodality. Walking together, listening, talking to each other, proposing pathways, building, living and celebrating: this is how youth are! We encounter challenges, but we overcome them by facing our fears and uncertainties of being with them and we learn to risk, to dare, to launch ourselves with enthusiasm.Christ needs the youth, he puts trust in them and lives in their efficacious witness. I am grateful to the Lord who this year entrusted me with the mission to be closer to the youth and to walk together with them.
Sr. Paula Cristina Barreto de Moura