Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tai Pei (Agenzia Fides) - “What would Jesus do? How would Jesus respond to the phenomenons and challenges of our time? How can we show God's Love to the poor, to the needy? How can we promote social justice?” These are the questions that were made to participants in the Congress on “Formation for spiritual directors and pastoral ministers 2008,” organized by the International Young Catholic Student, which took place in the Philippines in recent days. A group of 40 priests who minister as spiritual directors, youth ministers, pastoral ministers working with high school and university students, all took part in this Congress, whose theme was: Accompaniment: the technique for being with Asian youth today.”
Fr. An li De, Spiritual Director of the Students' Association of the Archdiocese of Tai Pei, along with a lay woman from the Diocese of Hsin Chu, took part in the encounter as representatives of the youth of Taiwan. According to the priest, “it was a very enriching experience, but hard work, too. We touched on three main points: observation, discernment, and action. We should always begin and end with Christ, reflecting on and sharing what it is Jesus wants of us.” At the conclusion of the encounter, the participants confirmed that listening, reflecting, discernment, and collaboration are all necessary in accompanying the youth today in their spiritual life. The Congress is held every three years with participants from representatives of various Asian countries, working in school and university apostolates. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 5/12/2008)
