VMY Panama Group has been participating in a radio program since 2021.
“To shine, to listen, to be not afraid” was part of Pope Francis’s exhortation during WYD 2023. Part of the fears that we have as young people may be giving a little more, showing ourselves, and collaborating beyond what we usually do daily in our churches. However, on many occasions it is only a call, like the one received by the VMY group Miraculous Medal of El Palmar in the Region of Chiriqui in September 2021. The call came from Prof. Diogenes Tejada, coordinator of the radio program, “Pueblo Baruense Despertad,” and with Parish Priest Teodoro Justavino, CM of San Antonio de Padua in Puerto Armuelles.
This radio program was founded in 1977 by Father José Pio Jiménez CM on Emisora del Pueblo Radio Mi Preferida Estéreo 105.3 FM, which was also founded by Prof. José Antonio Mora in the same year. The program’s purpose was to share the Word of God, provide formation and news to the parishioners, and keep them in tune with all the sectors of the Parish.
Despite our fears and lack of experience, we approach the challenge of providing a quality program to our communities with confidence in the Holy Spirit and a strong desire to involve young people in this service. Although we do not have specialized equipment to record, we strive to deliver a program of high quality, featuring daily readings of the Saint of the day, the Holy Gospel and its reflection, prayer for the intentions of our Church around the world, reflections in accordance with the liturgical times, and a good variety of Catholic music genres.
On some occasions we meet and record together, however, it is not always possible. Therefore, we have used tools available to everyone, such as WhatsApp, for the distribution and collection of the audio files. This medium has allowed us to gradually involve young people from distant communities and strengthen the bonds as brothers in Christ.
The program is broadcasted on Monday through Friday from 6:00 to 6:30 am (Panama time) and can now also be heard online at https://www.mipreferidapanamafm.com/ .
Randy Moreno, a youth member, shares his thoughts, “To me, the Program is a tool and a way to communicate our experience in serving God. It helps us, as a group, to grow and reflect on what we do and to be able to help others with our testimonies.”
Testimony: “Hello! I am Emanuel Rosas and you asked me how I feel about participating in my favorite radio program, “Pueblo Baruense Despertad,” on Mondays with VMY youth. My answer is that I have felt happy, enthusiastic, and eager to continue participating in it. Besides, it fills my heart with joy to know that it is a program full of youth where each one offers his voice to speak and express the wonders of our Lord Jesus Christ, transmitting to each listener peace and serenity in each message and Word of God.
On the other hand, a few months ago I heard Pope Francis say to young people the following: “Take care of the spark of hope that has been lit in each of your hearts, but do not keep it, but donate it to others, to those who need it”. And it is totally true, through the participation of different segments by radio and directed only by young people is where we are doing the work of bringing and infecting that living God to different people around our Chiricana province and in general where the radio station is listened to.
Finally, I wish that this program continues for many more years, that as a young person I continue to offer my voice for God and for the people who need it, that more young people join this beautiful work that is to bring the message of Christ to different parts of our country Panama, and that our glory be for and forever to praise God.”
We motivate them to say yes in service, to take on new missions, and above all, to persevere. That is the most difficult part, but God knows how and for what purpose He allows everything in our lives. Even in our smallness, we can contribute to the growth, strengthening, and creative dynamism of our beloved Church; may our voices be heard, but let us not forget, brothers, to take care of the words that come out of our mouths, to be supportive, conscious, to have faith, to resist, to witness always with coherence, and to transmit that love that God has given for us.
We thank all the people who have participated at some point during these two years and five months and all those who have tuned in with much affection. God bless you, and our Blessed Mother, Mary, will always be with you.
We say goodbye as they always do in the program: “And remember that we are VMY, and we always say, To Jesus with Mary!”
VMY Panama
