At around 4pm, the gates of the Northeast Olympic Training Center, in Fortaleza-Ceará, opened to welcome the pilgrims and missionaries from different parts of the world. From the single to the celibate, from the young to the family, everyone finds their place at the SYC, with a single purpose: the search for holiness.
This quest for holiness is what the show Beginning is about, the first theatrical performance at a Youth Congress in eight years. Until then, the last show at a SYC had been in 2018. This year’s production is by the Fortaleza Mission Arts Project.
There’s more to life to discover
In the midst of a packed gymnasium, watchful eyes and hearts full of expectations, the show Beginning marked the start of the event’s opening ceremony. The show tells the story of the yes of each young person who embraces their calling and becomes a witness to the Gospel in today’s world, portraying life and conversion, showing that there is more life to be discovered through an experience with God.
João Carlos, a missionary from the Life Community and Artistic Director of the production, says that it “narrates the experience of the young person who walks in the spirituality of the Youth for Jesus Project, which is our spirituality as the Shalom Charism, with the Risen Lord who transforms lives, who makes us change our lives, have new choices, who awakens in us the desire to overflow this love, to announce this experience, and leads us to our ultimate calling, which is holiness.”
The beginning of what?
The name Beginning refers to the 35th anniversary of the Youth for Jesus Project, which is also being celebrated at this SYC, as well as referring to the beginning of our eternity, which, above all, is holiness.
The cast’s desire, says João, is “for young people to discover, by looking at their own journey with God, that there is much more of this life in God to discover.” After all, God is eternal newness and changes us every day!
See some images from the show:
Special guests
The show also featured the special guest appearances of artists and missionaries Keciane Lima and Max Lucena, from Shalom Missionary, Laura Salvador and Yuri Costa. They sang the song “ Offering”, one of the most symbolic songs for the Charism, inspired by the letter that Moysés Azevedo, founder of the Shalom Catholic Community, gave to Pope John Paul II in 1982, when he offered his life for the Church, for young people and for all of humanity.
The SYC continues
The SYC continues on October 12 and 13 and you can still take part, either in person or from your own home using the Shalom Play platform.
Service
Shalom Youth Congress
Date: October 10-13
Venue: Northeast Olympic Training Center
Address: Av. Alberto Craveiro (Castelão), Fortaleza-CE.
Registration: here
More information: comshalom.org/cjs35anos
