BRAZIL, Cássio Leal. The Boys’ Youth (JUMAS) in Jaraguá, São Paulo began their annual branch activities on 7 March, welcoming the new JUMAS director, Fr. Alexandre Awi, who celebrated Mass especially for the Branch. Over time this tradition had fallen away, but now, it has been revived. The new director brings a new burst of life for the Regional Youth and great willingness to put things in order.
Jumas in Jaraguá celebrated their first Branch mass on Sunday morning 7 March, welcoming their new regional director, Fr. Alexandre Awi, with open arms. The Mass marked the start of a new phase in the life of the Boys’ Youth and a renaissance for Jaraguá and the other regional branches which had been abandoned. Fr. Alexandre, who worked with the Youth in Paraná for 8 years, has now arrived in São Paulo, bringing with him, the hope of new times ahead for the JUMAS.
The Shrine in Jaraguá was filled to capacity for the JUMAS Branch Mass, which has not happened in a long time. The newer groups filled the Shrine and made their presence felt during the Mass. Fr. Alexandre introduced himself and said he had waited anxiously and excitedly to celebrate Holy Mass with the JUMAS, just as Jesus waited expectantly to celebrate the Passover with his disciples. After introducing the director, each group stood up and introduced themselves to Fr. Alexandre. Five seminarians to the Schoenstatt Fathers also joined in the Mass, a day before travelling to Chile where they will begin their Theology and Philosophy studies.
Fire of Christ
In his homily, Fr. Alexandre referred to Moses’ burning bush in the first reading, comparing it with the fire of Christ that attracts the Youth to the Shrine, fire that is now a part of the JUMAS National Ideal, conquered during 2009: “Bound by Mary, Fire of Christ Tabor!” He said that each person carries the fire of Christ within him and now, it is necessary to collect firewood so that JUMAS can grow bigger and build an enormous bonfire that can burn more powerfully. As a sign of Divine Providence, the gospel reading spoke about the parable of the fig tree and in this way, the new director told the Youth that God is also asking for fruitfulness from his youth: “God’s will is that our fig tree should bear much fruit. I am confident in the Youth. Let us not look back but rather let us forget our differences and past mistakes. Let us look to the future. I am certain that the Blessed Mother wants something great from this Youth.
At the end of Mass, Fr. Alexandre handed out wristbands with the National Ideal discovered in November 2009 in this very Shrine. Jaraguá was the first branch to receive this wristband with the Brazil JUMAS ideal and Fr. Said that only those who were truly committed to the Youth ideals should wear the wristband.
After their consecration to the MTA and the final blessing, everyone left the Shrine, singing the Franz Reinisch Hymn around the Joseph Engling Stone where the youth displayed their strength and enthusiasm.
In conclusion, the director met with the whole branch to listen to each one’s expectations and concerns for 2010, a year marking a new phase and new life in the Youth.
Photoalbum
Translation: Sarah-Leah Pimentel, Pretoria, South Africa
