On the theme: “For a synodal youth ministry: new styles and strategies of leadership”, the Congress took place on the 5th anniversary of the publication of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation “Christus Vivit”.
“From WYD Lisbon 2023 to WYD Seoul 2027” was the theme that opened the Congress with a presentation of Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, followed by Cardinal Américo Alves Aguiar, current Bishop of Setúbal (Portugal), and Archbishop Peter Soon-Taick Chung, Archbishop of Seoul, who shared their experiences and reflections on this important event for all the young people of the Church.
SHALOM CHARISM SERVING YOUTH AROUND THE WORLD
Among the participants, the Community was represented by the International Assistant, Fr. Francisco Tiago Soares, together with other missionaries serving the youth in different parts of the world.
“The Congress has been a great opportunity to see the communion of the Church with all the movements around the world. This harmony, unity and commitment to work with young people, placing ourselves as a Community at the service of the universal Church to make our contribution”, emphasizes our International Assistant.
Among the topics discussed during the meeting were synodal and missionary youth leadership, formation, spiritual accompaniment of young leaders and the digital environment, among others.
Also, Fr. Franco Galdino, priest and missionary of the Life Community, was presented as the new head of the youth sector of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, who from now on will carry out this task at the service of young people around the world.
There was also a presentation of the Jubilee of Youth 2025, scheduled from July 28 to August 3, during which Pope Francis will invite all young people to Rome, encouraging them to be “pilgrims of hope”.
TIME OF BIG DREAMS
One of the most awaited moments of this international meeting took place on its last day when the participants were able to meet personally with Pope Francis who urged them to support the young men and women, especially the most fragile ones who “have given up great dreams and have become entangled in sadness and bad life”.
“May you be able to make it easier for many young people to meet Jesus, even those who do not normally go to Church, bringing them the message of hope. I am thinking of those boys and girls who have ‘lowered their gaze’, who have lost their horizon, who have put aside their great dreams and have become trapped in sadness and depression,” the Holy Father stressed.
For Maria Chiara Panizzi, a 22-year-old Italian postulant of the Covenant Community in Rome, this meeting with the Pope has been very meaningful and her participation in the Congress has totally exceeded her expectations: “This event has far exceeded what I imagined and knew about youth ministry through the theme of new leadership styles and strategies. The best thing has been the meeting and sharing of faith with other young people from all over the world”.
