Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Porto Viejo (Agenzia Fides) - This was the experience in this month of October, dedicated to the missions, of young people in Porto Viejo diocese in the province of Manabí, Ecuador. To stem the invasion of religious sects in Playa Prieta and seeing many people leaving the Catholic Church, young Catholics in Porto Viejo diocese decided to organise a "Youth Mission" to evangelise among their peers. After proposing the initiative to Archbishop Lorenzo Voltolini Esti, Archbishop of Porto Viejo who gave his consent, they set to work to announce the mission, making posters and leaflets and sending e-mail messages, urging people to take part. In the week-long activity enthusiasm grew and besides spending time on material preparations the young people also intensified their prayers for all the young people in the region. From the outset the initiative had the full support of the local community of the Sisters, Servants of the Mother's Hearth.
On the day of the youth mission about young people went out to share the Good News with their friends. The young missionaries belonged to parish groups and Church Movements including: Missionary America, Missionaries of Love, Juventudes Marianas Vicencianas, Young people of the Mother's Hearth, Legion of Mary, First Communion and Confirmation parish groups. The experience was enriching for all.
The young people, organised in 25 groups of 3 and 4 four, spread out all over Playa Prieta and in neighbouring areas bearing witness and inviting young people to come to the Mass in the afternoon at the parish. Many of the numerous young people who accepted the invitation had not been near a church for some years. In his homily Archbishop Voltolini encouraged the young people to seek Jesus, who alone gives true happiness. The Mass concluded with a sending on mission, because this was only the start and in the spirit of the Great Continental Mission convoked by the 5th General Conference of the Council of Bishops' Conferences of Latin America and the Caribbean in Aparecida, the mission will continue.
“It was a very positive experience - said one of the women religious - the young people were enthusiastic and determined to continue the good work. We hope to give continuity to the initiative. We have already been called by other parishes to organise a similar event". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 19/10/2007; righe 28, parole 394)
