PORTUGAL | 39TH NATIONAL GATHERING
Last August 2023, the Vincentian Marian Youth Portugal held its 39th National Meeting at the Miraculous Medal House in Fatima.
During the 26th, 27th and 28th of August, about 100 young people from all over the country took part in this meeting, with the presence of some priests from the Congregation of the Mission and the Sisters, the Daughters of Charity, living in the house.
Following the experience of the World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon at the beginning of the month, the theme of the meeting was “Mary rose and left in haste”, where during these three (3) days the young people were able to reflect in communities on the words of the Holy Father in his speeches and homilies during the WYD. The theme began with a brief formation from Fr. Bruno Cunha, CM, on the various reflections, people, places, gestures, and words of Pope Francis during WYD 2023 and ended with a plenary session in which young people discussed their questions and ideas on the themes previously addressed, applying them to the reality of their lives, groups, and parishes.
The meeting also included moments of prayer at the Chapel of the Apparitions, Lauds, and the Penitential Celebration where one can relive the Way of the Cross, examine one’s conscience and reconcile oneself with God. On Saturday night there was the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, which remained on display throughout the night, providing the young people who passed by with a permanent prayer.
On the last day, the young people had the opportunity to hear the testimony of the missionaries of the VMY who participated in the Mission Reborn for Hope and the young people who participated in the Mission Camps and the VMY Youth Mission.
Then we had the Eucharist at the conclusion of the National Meeting, presided by Fr. Pedro Guimarães, CM, National Priest Advisor of the VMY, where the celebration of Marian consecration to Jesus with Mary by two young people took place and was thanked for the work of the missionaries who participated in the Mission Reborn for Hope in the last two years.
Finally, there was a video summary of the activities carried out in the pastoral year 2022-2023, followed by the passage of testimony from the XIII National Council to the XIV National Council, and the new teams of the National Council and Regional Councils that will be at the service of the Association during the triennium 2023-2026, as well as the plan of formation and the plan of activities for the coming pastoral year.
The National Meeting concluded with a sending-off prayer, where the young people expressed gratitude for the moments they had experienced and asked the Father to help them rise and go forth eagerly towards serving our neighbor.
VMY Portugal
