Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Madrid (Agenzia Fides) – November 7-9, the Municipal Palace of Congresses in Madrid will host the Youth Ministry Forum, which will be attended by over 2,000 young people from all over Spain. The event is being organized by the Clerks Regular of Religious Schools (Scolopi), in honor of their 50th anniversary of the magazine they publish for youth. Other institutions and congregations will be participating, along with support from the Spanish Bishops' Conference. There are a total of over 200 institutions and 100 volunteers who have offered their support.
For three days, the youth will be able to enjoy days spent together, analyzing the present situation of youth ministry and looking towards the future. The idea is to share experiences that enrich the evangelization effort and begin a new path that will be continued in the so-called “Post-Forum.” The Youth Ministry Forum has been organized in response to the need to coordinate all the youth ministers in Spain, so as to respond to the question of how to live the faith in the 21st century, as youth. Organizers explain that today new methods are needed to get the youth to consider, assume, and live their faith with courage, as they mature as persons.
For more or less a year and a half, a group of over 150 people, including laity, priests, and religious have been working on this project. Thanks to the great effort they have made, many Christian groups who work with the youth have agreed to participate.
The theme for the forum is “Walking on Clouds.” The main objective is to share experiences of youth ministry so as to encourage vocations as evangelizers. Among the specific objectives are: contemplate the path taken over the last 50 years; analyze the present situation in its processes, initiatives, recourses, testimonies, etc.; plan for the future; promote networks for pastoral work, life and reflection; acknowledge and encourage the transforming presence of the Christian youth in our society. The encounter is mainly geared toward youth between 18-35 years of age who work with other young people. This pioneer project has managed to attract “99 percent of the Youth Ministry in our country” for the first time, says Victor Cortizo, Director of the Youth Department of the Bishops' Conference (CEE) and member of the organizing committee. The Forum will begin on November 7, with the Archbishop of Madrid and President of the CEE, Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela; the head of the Youth Department of the CEE, Bishop Jose Ignacio Munilla of Palencia; the Superior General of the “Scolopi,” Jesus Maria Lecea; and the President of the SM Foundation, Ramon Iceta. During the encounter, there will be an analysis of the situation over the past 50 years and challenges for the future. The Archbishop of Madrid will also present WYD 2011 in Madrid. On Saturday, there will be a Vigil to Our Lady of the Almudena, Patroness of Madrid, in anticipation of her feast day.
Also present at the encounter will be the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) of Spain, via the PMS Youth Council. Two members of the Youth Council, Minerva Montera and Juan Martinez, from the PMS National Director's Office, will present a statement on missionary animation and formation for youth on the morning of November 8. The Youth Council, which works on youth missionary activities all year long, will also have a stand set up with missionary material from the PMS, available to all participants. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 4/11/2008)
