VMY PAUL VI (BRAZIL) ON THE 2ND PILGRIMAGE OF YOUNG VINCENTIANS IN CARAÇA 2023
For the second year in a row, the VMY Paul VI participated in the Pilgrimage of the Vincentian Youth at the Shrine of Caraça, in Catas Altas-MG. With the theme “Third Vocational Year in Brazil: Burning Hearts, Feet on the Road”, the second edition of the Pilgrimage was attended by about 300 young people of the Vincentian Family, members of the following branches: Congregation of the Mission, Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, Vincentian Marian Youth, Vincentian Secular Missionaries, Vincentian Sisters of Gysegem, and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul from various Brazilian states.
Some of the pilgrims arrived in Caraça on Friday, November 3, when the opening Mass of the Pilgrimage was celebrated, presided over by the Superior of Caraça, Father Luís do Vale Fundão, CM, and concelebrated by Father Adalberto Costa, CM, pastoral animator of the Shrine of Caraça and by Diác. Ramon Aurélio, CM, member of the organizing team of the Vincentian Youth Pilgrimage. The Daughters of Charity were in charge of the musical part of the Mass. In the evening there was a costume party in which some young people characterized themselves as saints and blessed of the Vincentian Family, where it was possible to observe cosplays of Blessed Isabel Cristina, Rosalia Rendue, Saint Louise de Marillac, St. Vicente, Frassatti and other saints.
The next day, November 4, despite the rain and the cold, the other pilgrims arrived in Caraça and joined the first activity of the day, a walk for peace, where all were invited to pray for those who suffer the terror caused by wars in the world. Four (4) workshops were then offered:
- Environment, advised by Father Adalberto Costa, CM,
- Life Project, advised by Father Denilson Matías, CM;
- Vocation, advised by Sister Lucia Ramos, DC and
- Social Communication and Evangelization, counseled by Sacha Leite and Stephany Oliveira.
After the workshops, a Mass was celebrated, presided over by Father Allan Ferreira, CM, vocation promoter of PBCM and concelebrated by the Vincentian priests: Adalberto Costa, Agnaldo Aparecido, Cleber Teodósio, Denilson Matias, Luis Carlos, Hélio Maia and Túlio Medeiros, and the deacons: Alisson Medeiros, Djone Noel and Ramon Aurélio. The Vincentian Marian Youth of the Paul VI neighborhood, in Belo Horizonte, carried out a thanksgiving in which a child touched other young people, bringing words such as “life”, “light”, “love” and other terms that translate the faith and the Vincentian Christian charism. In addition, they handed out white papers and invited everyone to join in singing together the song: “A Paz” by the Roupa Nova Musical Group.
After Mass there was time for lunch. In the afternoon, the priests heard confessions and there was a vocations fair, with stands installed in the courtyard of the ruins of Caraça. In this space, representatives of the different branches of the Vincentian charism present at the Pilgrimage gave guidance on what to do to discern one’s own vocation and the step-by-step process for vocation support. Finally, there was a talent show with an open microphone for those who wanted to express their art spontaneously, when many present spoke with poems, songs of reflection and praise, and a musical presentation of the TV series: El Chavo del 8, bringing joy and promoting interaction with the audience. The moment and the pilgrimage ended with a snack, with the aim that the participants recharge their energies and be able to return to their places of origin.
Sacha Leite and Fr. Cléber Teodósio, CM
