Claretian summer experiences of the young people of our Province of Fatima

From June 25 to 30, in Loja (Granada, Spain), the first summer activity, BARBASTRO, took place, with the presence of 136 young people of 1st and 2nd year of ESO from different places of the Province of Fatima and 51 APJs, which was the number of martyrs of Barbastro. Their intercession could be felt during those days: the activities were carried out very well and with a good role of the APJs, where it was possible to live the call to give one’s life from concrete love to the end, following the testimony of the martyrs.

It should be noted that the 18 Neo Apjs who were able to participate “graduated” after three days of practical training and preparation before starting the activity.

From 3 to 9 July, also in Loja, about 70 participants came to PROFETA, who took part in a renewed edition of this summer camp, which was aimed at young people in the 3rd and 4th years of ESO. In Prophet, the young people were able to embrace the call and experience of hearing the Word in their lives, which helps them to discover who they really are, to transform and improve their relationships and to become prophets in their own land, telling other young people about Jesus.

In addition, the young people who took part have already been invited to next year’s APJs Meeting to be held from 15 to 17 September, which is being prepared; and the young people who will be in the 1st year of Bachillerato will be invited to Gospel, those in the 3rd and 4th years of ESO will be invited to Exodus, and those in the 1st and 2nd years of ESO will be invited to Padrito.

From 10 to 14 July, at the Casa da Juventude in Carvalhos (Portugal), the summer camp CUIDAD MISTERIOSA took place, in which 20 young people and teenagers participated. These were days of fun and encounter, where the young people were able to reinforce a series of values; to see that in family, friends and God they have a GPS to guide them, and to discover a little more about themselves.

At the end, the young people were challenged to be sent out and like the disciples “to set out in haste, not to be distracted by delay, but with readiness and joy” “crying out to the world God is love” “for he who brings Christ brings peace” (WYD 2023 Prayer, Claret Hymn). The young people learned during these days that the real “city” they are going to visit is their heart (interiority), a place where God likes to live, a place where they need to enter anew to know themselves better and to discover Him.