BRAZIL, Sr. M. Nilza P. da Silva. World Youth Day (WYD) is an opportunity for the Schoenstatt Youth on all continents to meet Pope Francis and, united as Church, have a personal encounter with Christ.
From 23 to 28 July, about 2,000 Schoenstatt Youth from fifteen countries will express their faith on the streets of Rio. Before this, the Schoenstatt Youth will hold their own meetings from 18 to 22 July.
Girls’ Youth: Cor Unum
About 1,000 members of the Schoenstatt Girls’ Youth will hold their international Cor Unum (One Heart) meeting at the Schoenstatt Shrine in Atibaia, São Paulo.
Various parishes throughout will host the girls during these days, giving them accommodation and breakfast, a beautiful testimony to the generosity of the parishioners. Even other Christian denominations have participated in providing accommodation. Bishop Sérgio A. Colombo has been very supportive and will celebrate the opening Mass.
The aim is to share experiences and strengthen faith, taking the celebration of the great Jubilee of the 100 years of the International Schoenstatt Work in October 2014 into account.
Boys’ Youth: IGNIS
About 800 members of the Schoenstatt Boys’ Youth will arrive earlier for WYD and for their IGNIS meeting between 18 and 21 July in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro. The missionary current has grown among the boys, who since 2008, have strived to become a “missionary generation.” Their other goal is to journey together towards the 100th jubilee of the International Schoenstatt Work in 2014.
The highlight of the days before WYD is the Beach Missions. The youths will be on the beaches proclaiming God’s love and organizing various activities to draw hearts into a personal encounter with Christ and Mary. Holy Mass on Arpoador Beach on 21 July at 17h will set the tone for the days of mission.
In this way, the WYD experience will be a beginning and not an ending for the Schoenstatt Youth. It will be a preparation and a gathering of strength, so that they can then set out into the world, our true missionary field.
Translated from the Portuguese by Sarah-Leah Pimentel, South Africa
