
Fifth provincial encounter of youth from the América Central province
From July 28 – 30, the fifth provincial encounter of Marist youth of the América Central province was held in the Marist school ‘Liceo Salvadoreño’ in San Salvador, El Salvador.
There were 750 participants from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Puerto Rico. Among them was Brother Luis Carlos Gutiérrez, provincial superior of América Central, his council and Brothers of different Marist communities.
Four novices were also present (three Colombians and a Mexican) from the Noviciado La Valla in Colombia, currently visiting the province.
The encounter was titled ‘Gier,’ like the river that runs along one side of Hermitage, in France, and was themed ‘Young Marists for a new beginning.’
For three days, the youths from Central America and the Caribbean celebrated and promised to start life over in a different way, in the face of the Institute’s new centennial. They were also inspired by the message of superior general Brother Emili Turú, who motivated them to follow their heart.
“Fear is not a problem, the problem is if we let ourselves be carried away by fear and if we let ourselves be controlled by fear,” Br Emili told them in a video message that was aired during the meeting.
In addition to the workshops, moments of animation, reflection and prayer, participants visited the crypt of Blessed Oscar A. Romero, followed by a pilgrimage from the Cathedral of San Salvador to the place of the encounter. It aimed at motivating young people to find and build life from by sharing their journey with others.