Young Pilgrims of Hope
Last Saturday, February 1st, we had a profoundly enriching day. Around 500 children, young people, adults, and Sisters from various locations—Ceuta, La Línea, Algeciras, Vejer, Medina Sidonia, Chiclana, Jerez, El Puerto, Cádiz, Dos Hermanas, and Seville—gathered at St. Vincent de Paul School in Cádiz for the Encounter of VMY from Cádiz and Seville.
From the moment we arrived, there was an atmosphere of joy and fraternity, filled with music, laughter, hugs, and a deep enthusiasm for sharing this special day. As expected, the day began by placing Jesus at the center of our gathering, because without Him, none of this would make sense.
This year, Hope drives us as a Church, so our catechesis focused on this important virtue. We reflected on the concept of active waiting, understanding that hope is not passive, but rather encompasses both trust and action.
After sharing lunch and enjoying moments of play, dialogue, and joy, one of the day’s highlights was the pilgrimage to the Cadiz Cathedral. With our songs, posters, and banners, we walked through the streets, filling them with joy and proclaiming our faith in Christ, embodying the Vincentian charism that defines us.
The streets of Cadiz resonated with our energy. As the song by Macaco beautifully expresses, “We are a tide of people,” and we truly demonstrated that spirit. The city was infused with hope, life, and faith.
When we arrived at Cathedral Square, the celebration continued with music and dance, allowing us to enthusiastically express our joy in being part of VMY. We embraced Pope Francis’s call to “make a mess” with open hearts and excitement.
To conclude the day, we gathered in the Cathedral for a moment of prayer. In the silence and peace of the church, we connected with God, who reminded us that our mission does not end here; He sends us to be witnesses of hope in the world. We were joined by Fr. Carlos Javier López, CM, who represented the Congregation of the Mission during our celebration, which was part of the jubilee commemorating the 400th anniversary of its foundation.
As we said our goodbyes, our hearts were filled with joy and certainty that God calls us to live joyfully and to share His love without fear. Being part of VMY is much more than just belonging to a group; it is a way of life, a mission, and a passionate commitment.
We would like to thank St. Vincent de Paul School for welcoming us once again and making us feel at home.
Judit de Rojas and Manuel Galán
VMY Area 3 Coordinators
VMY Spain
