International Vincentian Marian Youth Meeting of Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, Slovenia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Dear readers, friends of our Vincentian Family!

With a little delay I would like to share with you an event I had the opportunity to participate. This is the International Vincentian Marian Youth Meeting held in Syniak village (Zakarpattia oblast) since April 28 till May 1. It was attended by representatives of Eastern European countries: Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, Slovenia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina. In fact, this was the first meeting of VMY consisted of groups of young people who come from the Slavic countries.

I would like to address the words of gratitude to all who contributed to the organization of this event: Fr. Jan Tchop – Visitator our Vice Province, Fr. Vasyl Zinych – who managed most organizational matters, and all people responsible for groups of each country participating in this meeting.

First of all this meeting was a good opportunity to meet each other, meet those people who coordinate VMY at global level, coordinate our activities, share our experiences and cheer each other.

Young people nowadays exposed to many temptations, many dangers and devastating proposals hovering around. Sometimes people may suppose that it is easier to live in a way offered by the world. Sometimes it can be wrapped with the word “freedom” and we may feel that we are free to do anything we want … But if we call temptations like that as freedom, why cannot I leave here and now some of the things that I am aware they are bad? If you cannot so it is not a freedom is a slavery … a sin … That’s it, a sin cannot make a person truly free, it enslaves … The Lord always gives a choice, and when we stumble He comes to the aid with His gift of Mercy, forgiving us for our sin so that we could start all over again and live again in deeper communion with Him.

Most Holy Virgin Mary who is an example and inspiration for Vincentian Marian Youth was one who dedicated all Her life in the fullness to increase the glory of Her Son … She has nothing reserved for herself … And we see how the Lord glorified Her … She is the image of the Church, one who went to a relative Elizabeth carrying the Savior under her heart, carrying salvation.

Children of Mary (one of the names of VMY) are also called and inspired by the Virgin Mary to   bring the taste of salvation for those environments where they are present through the Word, ministry, the example of their life and devotion to our Heavenly Mother.

In fact the modern world offers a lot but it is finite. It can’t give a hope for the future in its material dimension. And if young people have no hope then a society has no future.

Let us thank God for the gift of our charism, for a variety of Groups, Associations, Congregations present in our Vincentian Family. Our ministry, loyalty to our rules and acting to the glory of God – that it is our hope that offers us the prospect of future eternal life.

«O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee ……»

Fr. Serhii Pavlish, СМ

28.04-1.05/2017

28.04-1.05/2017