Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Sydney (Fides Service) -In view of the 20th World Youth Day in Germany in the coming month of August, Young Adult Ignatian Ministry YAIM has organised Magis World Youth Day for young people aged between 18 adn 26 especially those who have or have had contact with Jesuit communities, institions, retreat houses schools and so forth. Young Adult Ignatian Ministry. YAIM was created last year by the Australian Jesuits as part of an effort to stay in touch with young people after secondary school and throughout their formative years in young adulthood. Members are introduced to Ignatian spirituality and encoruaged to be involved in various social services under the guidance of the Jesuit Fathers.
Ignatian spiritualty, YAIM leaders say, is very helpful for young people trying to find the meaning and pur pose that God has for them in their livves and it follows a basic principle of Saint Ignatius: to find God in all things.
This Jesuit initiative Magis World Youth Day, according to a leaflet sent to Fides, is for people open to new experiences, willing to embark on a spiritual journey and to overcome cultural barriers. “Come to World Youth Day to deepen your relationship with God, meet people from other cultures and grow in the faith” the organisers say.
Magis is a 7 day programme organised by the Jesuits which precedes the WYD celebrations in Cologne. At the end of this experience lived by as many as 3,000 young people from all over the world, all groups will meet at a campsite for a few days and then join thousands of other young people for the main celebrations 15 - 21 August in Cologne where Pope Benedict XVI will be present.
The leaflet says that Magis, meaning more is a response to Pope John Paul II’s invitation to World Youth Day in Germany 2005. It means gleaning more from your faith, more from your friendships and more from yourself. It is about living more closely in the presence of God. Magis is a spiritual journey with an international community oraganised into “experiemn groups”. Each “experiment” or experience will be different: pilgrimage/hiking; creative workshops (art, music street theatre); social action (meeting with refugees, prison vists etc.); meeting local groups. All will inolve morning prayer, worship together, personal reflection time and faith-sharing in groups. The challenge is the same: a spiritual journey as a community of internationally mixed groups.
Besides the appointment in Germany, locally in Australia YAIM holds monthly meeting and organises initiatives for evangelisation in places frequented by young people, pubs, discos, social centres, public meeting-places.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 18/7/2005 righe 27 parole 298)
