Retreat "Life’s Testimony" in Paraguay

With the participation of a Chilean seminarian and 7 Brazilian boys.

La família de Schoenstatt da la bienvenida a los jóvenes The Schoenstatt Family welcomes the youth Die Schönstattfamilie heißt die Jugendlichen willkommen
Todo el grupo The entire group Die ganze Gruppe
El grupo de Brasil The group from Brazil Die Gruppe aus Brasilien
Taller Workshop Workshop
Oración Prayer Gebet
Los seminaristas The seminarians Die Patres-Studenten Fotos: Cabral © 2009

PARAGUAY / Javier Cabral. BRASIL / Otávio Cezarini. The Brazilian Schoenstatt Boys’ Youth went on a quest to learn a new path for their work with youth. On May 8^th, 9^th, and 10^th, seven members of the Londrina and Ibiporã youth groups traveled to Paraguay to take part in "Life’s Testimony" Retreat, so they could also learn from first hand experience the reality of the Boy’s Youth from Ciudad del Este.

More than forty new boys took part. Every year this retreat is a complete success for boys whose families are not part of the Movement. Invitations for this retreat are sent to schools, and so far some of the participating boys’ parents had join the Couples’ Branch. In addition to Claudio Martinez, a Chilean seminarian who came from Brazil, four novices were also in attendance; they are doing their social practicum in Ciudad del Este. Manuel Lopez Naon, an Argentinean seminarian, and Fr. Tommy Nin Mitchell came from Asunción.

The most important message from this retreat is in following the success that has taken place in Ciudad del Este, Brazil will try it too.

During these three days, the Brazilians also learned a little more about the Paraguayan youth, and most importantly, brought this experience to Brazil so that it could be planned and applied to their own reality.

This model came to Paraguay from Argentina and now its on route to Brazil. Let us hope that the wishes of our Blessed Mother, whom the Paraguayans call "Mater" and the Brazilians "Nossa Mãe Rainha", will be fulfilled.

Translation: Gaby Fernandez, USA/amj