Second National Congress of Marist Youth Ministry

Around 450 youth from Brazil’s three provinces gathered at the the Second National Congress of Marist Youth Ministry in Porto Alegre from Oct. 12 – 15.

“It is the youth that will build our next 100 years, so it is essential that we take action to show that we are already at this new beginning,” affirmed the executive secretary of the Marist Union of Brazil, Brother Natalino Guilherme de Souza, at the start of the event.

The event, held at the Colégio Marista Champagnat, included young Marists from Brasil Centro-Sul, Brasil Centro-Norte and Brasil Sul-Amazônia.

Youth and lecturers engaged in debates regarding social issues, public policies, building a culture of solidarity, PJM’s role in the Church and within the Marist Institute.

One of their activities was an “immersion outing” – visits to institutions that promote social work in health, education and social assistance – such as the Unidade Pão dos Pobres, which looks after 1,700 vulnerable children and youth in Porto Alegre.

Since the encounter coincided with the General Chapter, the youth sent the capitularies a video message affirming that “the New La Valla has already begun.”

The PJM encourages formation of leadership through socialization, the construction of critical awareness and solidarity.