Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Brasilia (Agenzia Fides) – On February 20 – 23, in Brasilia at the headquarters of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Brazil, the First National Encounter of Youth Missionary Coordinators (JM) was held. Fides learned of the event from Rodrigo Alves Piatezzi, JM-SP coordinator. There were 22 representatives from the states of Alagoas, Bahia, Ceará, Distrito Federal, Espírito Santo, Goiás, Maranhão, Minas Gerais, Pará, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte, São Paulo, Sergipe and Tocantins. Fr. Vitor Menezes, Secretary General of the Propagation of the Faith and JM in Brazil said the aim of the event was to hold an encounter to share experiences and encourage JM to spread out throughout the country in a more organized manner and with new proposals, after analyzing the path it has taken until now.
JM in Brazil has come about as part of the Pontifical Mission Societies, along with the Holy Childhood Association there, beginning with a first encounter that was held involving various regions of Brazil and that was promoted by the PMS in May 2005. Thus, after nearly 4 years of work, this encounter will be a step forward for the young missionaries.
The encounter was attended by Fr. Daniel Lagni, National Director of the PMS in Brazil; Sávio Corinaldesi, SX, National Secretary of the Pontifical Society of Saint Peter Apostle and the Missionary Union; Edson Assunção, National Secretary of the Holy Childhood Association (and Youth Section); Vitor Menezes, National Secretary of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith; and Fr. Estevão Raschietti, SX, Director of the National Missionary Council (COMINA).
The participants had the occasion to listen to the Word of God and the call to the poorest, with moments of retreat and reflection, enlightened by the Aparecida Document; to learn how to train missionary disciples of Jesus, studying the theme “The Continental Mission and the JM,” reflecting on the role of youth missionaries in the call launched by the Continental Mission and the proposal for mission and animation ad gentes from the PMS.
The encounter also featured the beginning of the organization for the celebration of the Year of Pauline Jaricot, foundress of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, which is to be held July 22, 2009 to July 22, 2010, and that will involve the youth missionaries from all over the Americas.
The date of the next National Encounter for JM Coordinators will be held February 12-15, 2010, with the hope that many youth from other States will participate. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 5/3/2009)
