We are most happy and proud to share with you what has transpired in our journey in Madrid during the summer days of August 2011 and the one of a kind experience we got from that pilgrimage.

Upon hearing the news that the World Youth Day 2011 will be done in Madrid, Spain, we also received an invitation coming from the International VMY Secretariat to participate in the International Meeting of the Vincentian Youth which will happen prior to the World Youth Day. And we were happy and excited, because it’s like hitting two birds in one stone. We will get to participate in two special religious youth gatherings, not only the World Youth Day but the International Meeting of the Vincentian youths. We have been given the opportunity to be able to meet other youths from around the world and be able to share our faith with them.

The International Vincentian Youth Meeting and the WYD experience we had in Madrid is already a part of who we are. We were renewed and changed. We returned back to Greece brought with us a meaningful faith experience of which we could share with others. We found new friends, learn different cultures, see new places, had fun and participate in festive celebrations, but most importantly we were able to strengthen our relationship with God and understand more our faith in Him.

Some of the values we developed and learned during this pilgrimage are the values of extraordinary patience and perseverance in living out one’s faith to Jesus - to never give up on life’s hardships and sufferings. In our journey in Madrid, we experienced a lot of hardships, sufferings, pains, sacrifices, and in some instances misunderstandings in our group, and despite the agonizing heat, the crowded places during the WYD events, the long walks we have to take in going to those events, the long queue we have to wait for getting our food - all these things serve as a test of how faithful we are to God, we tried to see the bigger picture and beauty in all those situations and offer up not complaining, to accept everything with joy, remain flexible and be thankful for every wonderful opportunities God is giving to us.

After those events, VMY Greece remains to be committed and still continues to foster the relationship we have with Christ, that in everything we do we the youth must be a witness for Christ, an ambassador for Christ and we must continue to find ways in order to stand firm in our faith and express that through our service for others.



For more information and news about the Vincentian Youth Meeting & WYD 2011 events, click here >>>