In the framework of World Youth Day, currently taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, more than 700 young people from various Carmelite parishes and schools across the American continent have gathered. The meeting is being held at the School of the Holy Family of the Carmelite Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence in the city of Isabel.
The event was prepared over the past few months by a team headed by Fr. Raul Maravi, OCarm., General Councilor for America, in collaboration with Fr. Wilson Fernandes and a group of brothers and sisters from our order. All attendees were welcomed by Fr. Geraldo D´Abadia Pires Maciel, OCarm., Provincial of the Province of St. Elias in Rio.
The meeting began with a holy mass celebrated by the General Prior of the Order, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, OCarm. He urged the participants to enter together more deeply into the present moment and, as young friends of Carmel, to take on the commitment to bear witness to Christ to others, as Pope Francis calls all young people around the world to do.
Later, representatives from the American continent brought the icon of Our Lady, Mother of Hope, which has presided over many meetings of young people on her journey through various countries, and has now "arrived" here having traveled across nearly the entire territory of Brazil. This beautiful icon is present here and accompanies the young throughout the meeting from July 21 to July 29.
Every morning, these young people can listen to several lectures and also participate in various cultural programs. Some evenings are free so they can gather with others at the programs celebrating World Youth Day. This will culminate in a vigil on Saturday, July 27, and a holy mass with the Holy Father on Sunday, July 28, at a place called Campus Fidei, where it is expected that around 3 million people will gather.
The meeting of our young friends of Carmel takes place in an atmosphere of joy and in a spirit of community.
Source: Citoc
