REPORT ON 2025 NATIONAL ENCOUNTER/PILGRIMAGE OF VINCENTIAN MARIAN YOUTH NIGERIA
The program was carried out by a team called to plan for the event, led by the chairman, brother Paschal Chukwuebuka Ugonnaya, from the Diocese of Port Harcourt. It was held from the 28th to the 31st of August 2025, a period of four days, and was also held at the postulant house of the Congregation of the Mission in Orafiete, in Anambra State. The theme of this year’s program was “You Are the Salt of the Earth.” We had 30 members from different dioceses who participated in this year’s program.
DAY 1
The program began at 5 pm with accreditation and accommodation allocation, followed by other activities. We had a rosary procession from the Marian Grotto to the chapel, led by our National Priest Advisor, Rev. Fr. Clement Okarah CM. During this, we had praises, worship, and adoration/benediction. We then had dinner, followed by a moonlight story by our National Sister Advisor, Sr. Florence Emmanuel, DC. After that, we had a night’s rest, finishing at 10 pm.
DAY 2
We rose at 6 am and prepared for the opening Mass at 7:30 am, which was led by Rev. Fr. Martin CM, Rev. Fr. Calistus Ajero CM, and Rev. Fr. Clement Okarah CM. The local superior of the congregation of the Mission welcomed us. He was delighted to have us in the community and was happy to join in the Mass. We had a group photograph with them, and after that, we went back to the chapel to receive a talk from Fr. Martin on the topic “Proper Formation: The Key for Active Membership.”
After the talk, we went for our breakfast, morning duty, and a little break for the next talk, “You Are the Salt of the Earth.” Our former National President, Brother Victor Umoren, gave this talk. We had a group work and a presentation that led us to our lunch at noon. Then we took a little break to prepare for other activities. We had a competition called “Draw Your Sword,” where the first person to open the Bible and read a particular scripture given earned a point or mark. At the end of it, Enugu Diocese won the competition. Following this, our National Priest Advisor exposed the Blessed Sacrament, and we began with 30 minutes of silent reflection, recitation of the rosary, and adoration/benediction. We had our dinner and recreation before going to our various places for a night’s rest by 10 pm.
DAY 3
We rose at 6 am and prepared for the 7:30 am Mass, led by our National Priest Advisor. Following the Mass, we proceeded to our morning duties, breakfast, and a sports session to maintain our physical fitness. We had lunch and took a break to prepare for our social night/gala night. We also held the “Face of VMY Nigeria” pageant, which features the master and miss Vincentian Marian Youth Nigeria 2025. In the evening, we engaged in activities organized by our National Priest Advisor before attending the final event of the program, called “Social Night.” This event included various forms of entertainment, such as cultural dances, comedy, and drama. We took our dinner and closed the evening at 10:30 pm.
DAY 4
We rose at 6 am and prepared for the closing Mass at 7:30 am, which was led by our National Priest Advisor. He exposed the Blessed Sacrament at 6:30 before the Mass. We had our group photograph, followed by breakfast and morning duty, before departing for our various dioceses by 11 am.
Conclusion
We thank God Almighty for making this program successful, under His divine protection, and to our sweet, lovely mother Mary, who came to our aid and helped us achieve the program with immense blessings. We also appreciated our National Priest and Sister Advisor, who guides us no matter our present circumstances. God bless us all, our International, National, and local members of the Vincentian Marian Youth all over the world. Thank you, and God bless you.
O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
VMY Nigeria
