VINCENTIAN MARIAN YOUTH GREECE
together in FAITH, together in HOPE, together in LOVE for Christ!
VMY Greece joins VYD-WYD Krakow 2016
21 September 2016
For the second-time around with a new batch of delegates, VMY Greece once again embarked on a 10-day pilgrimage to Krakow, Poland for the Vincentian Youth Days (VYD) and World Youth Days (WYD) 2016. A total of 22 pilgrims – 17 youth members, 4 Catechists, and Sr. Emma Rivero DC, VMY Greece’s Advisor - attended the said events. Below are the highlights of activities that transpired during this once-in-a-lifetime faith journey:
VYD-WYD 2016 Preparatory Formation
Three weeks before the VYD-WYD 2016 events, VMY Greece held its Preparatory Formation last July 2-3, 2016 at the Manresa Jesuit Retreat House in Oinoi. The overnight formation had the theme: “Journey Together with Jesus to the City of Mercy”. During the formation, delegates were given the opportunity “to encounter Jesus, “who is Merciful” as well as bond with their fellow pilgrims as they are about to set on a pilgrimage to Krakow, Poland. The formation ended with a Send-off Mass with Fr. Theodore Kodidis, SJ (host of the formation venue) blessing the group.
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Vincentian Youth Days Events (July 23-25)
VYD - Day 1 (July 23, Saturday)
Departure. VMY Greece left Athens airport in the early morning of July 23 boarding an Aegean flight. Parents of the delegates were at the airport too to bid their warm goodbyes and to wish their children a safe trip.
Arrival. With nearly past an hour and a half travel, VMY Greece finally reached Krakow, Poland. Upon arrival in Krakow, the group was welcomed by two VYD volunteers (one of which was Kinga Malezyna, assigned as the group’s VYD guide) who then accompanied the group by bus towards its place of accommodation, Radosna Nowina 2000 (Joyful Hope) Center in Piekary.
The group was housed at one of the center’s cottage-like boarding houses, specifically House No. 6, together with the Portuguese group. Opposite the boarding house was a little hill with a circling grassy pathway leading up to the top overlooking the village town of Piekary. Meanwhile, the group was given first the time to freshen up and enjoy the views at Radosna before the VYD event starts.
VYD Opening Ceremonies. With the theme: “Vincentians: Faithful to Charity, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, the VYD event formally kicked-off in the mid-afternoon. Hosting the events were Agata Sambor and Maciej Opiłowski. Gathered under a built-in mega-sized tent with High Definition screens, VMY Greece, along with 1300 Vincentians coming from 35 countries of the world, were welcomed with a traditional Polish dance – the Polonaise. Father Kryspin Banko, Visitor of the Province of Poland, and Sister Anna Pietrasik DC, Visitatrix of the Province of Krakow, also welcomed the VYD participants on behalf of the Vincentian Family in Poland. VYD participants were also rendered a glimpse of the history of the Vincentian family in Poland. Adding more to the joyous celebration of the VYD opening ceremony was the crowd’s lively singing of the event’s official hymn: “Faithful to Mercy” accompanied by the music played by the VYD band.
In the meantime after the opening ceremony, a short break was made in order for everyone to relax and to have the chance to mingle with the other participants.
Evening Meeting - International Festival (Asia & Australia). VMY Greece proudly waved its country flag as the parade of countries commenced later on during the evening meeting. A Marian Vigil was held shortly afterwards were the participants were set in prayer and meditation before the Blessed Sacrament. Following the vigil was the International Festival, where countries in Asia and Australia (Australia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, the Philippines, Singapore) performed short artistic presentations.
VYD Day 2 (July 24, Sunday)
VYD Catechesis. The 2nd day of the VYD started with the participants being divided into different language groups for the Catechesis. VMY Greece eventually joined the English language group which was held at the VYD Food Catering Tent and was facilitated by Yancarlos Carrasco, VMY International President. The catechesis stressed mainly on the theme of the event, and most importantly encouraged everyone as Vincentians to live out the Beatitudes.
After the catechesis, everyone was served and enjoyed a sumptuous Polish buffet lunch.
Afternoon Meeting. The afternoon meeting started with everyone gathered again in the VYD tent praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet. This was then followed by an unforgettable sharing of inspiring testimonies coming from Ms. Agata Sapeta (VMY), Wojciech Kaczmatek (CM seminarian), and two special guests, namely, Rev. Fr. Wilfred Raymond, CSC and Clarence Gilyard (a Hollywood actor).
The day’s program ended with the celebration of the Eucharist presided by Rev. Tomaz Mavric, Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission. During his homily,he appealed to the young Vincentians to “be Missionaries” and challenged us to hear the call of God, to always serve the Church and especially the poor.
Evening Meeting – Polish Festival. It was a memorable night as everyone got the chance to experience Polish culture through a variety of traditional dances presented on stage as well as a taste of some local Polish cuisines.
VYD Day 3 (July 25, Monday)
The final day of the VYD began with the Summary of the Catechesis held again at the VYD tent. Through a hand pantomime, VYD participants were given a glimpse of the future with hope - that ‘we have to be the Gospel card open to section of Charity’.
Later on during the day, two inspiring Vincentian missionary projects - the M3 or Młodzi Misje Madagaskar (Youth Missions Madagascar) and Project Odessa - shared their heartwarming stories providing the participants with an actual and real-life testimony of how it is to be “faithful to Charity”.
VMY Greece also had a short meeting with the different VMY groups from different countries who participated in the event.
Wrapping up the day’s activity was the final VYD mass.
Photo op with Fr. Tomas Mavric, CM Superior General
Evening meeting – International Festival (Americas, Europe, and Africa). Before joining the VYD program scheduled in the evening, VMY Greece first had a solemn evening prayer at the Radosna Chapel.
The International Festival began once again and at this time countries from the Americas, Europe and Africa did their artistic presentations. VMY Greece was the sixth group to perform on stage with a song number entitled, “Kanenas Den Mas Stamata” and the traditional Zorbas Greek dance.
Everyone eventually had a great night as some groups bid farewell as they are about to join the WYD events the next day.
VMY Greece performs on the VYD stage