Between September 23 and 26 I participated in the II Congress of Consecrated Youth held in Cz?stochowa, Poland. The Congress theme was “The joy of Consecration” and the motto “…that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11)
Nearly a thousand young people from different male and female congregations participated in this gathering organized as part of the celebrations of the Year of Consecrated Life proclaimed by Pope Francis. The congress was a response to Pope's exhortation to continually rediscover the beauty of consecration and his invitation to support one another in the joyful proclamation of our YES to the Lord.
The program was well organized; there were Masses, conferences, an evening of worship, common meals, discussion groups and a procession with the relics of the Martyrs of Consecrated Life. During these days we talked about the different forms and charisms of consecrated life, we reflected on the reasons for joy and crises in consecrated life and we gave thanks to God for the gift of vocation and for the multitude of charisms.
The meeting of all these young consecrated persons at the feet of the Black Madonna of Cz?stochowa testified the richness of the Church and of Consecrated Life according to the words of the Congress hymn:
We are so different but we are all blessed by the love of one Father.
Our charisms and gifts are not the same but they are one in the Holy Spirit.
O Lord, give us joy. Jesus, pour out your Spirit on us,
So that our earthen vessels may hold your treasure,
So that your joy may be in us.
Sr. Magdalena