We are not alone, we walk together

From 26 – 31 October, the virtual meeting for youth ministry on the theme of “We are not alone, we walk together” was held in Mexico and Central America.

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the event was broadcast entirely in virtual mode because the entire Latin American continent—as is the case for much of the world—is facing closures and cancelations of religious, cultural, and sporting events.

For this reason, the traditional youth ministry meeting which was scheduled in Honduras has been postponed to 2021, but the proposed virtual event began on October 26 and was followed live on Facebook by many young people as well.

On Tuesday 27 October, Fr. Alexandre Awi Mello, Secretary of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family, and Life, was invited to speak on the theme: “The accompaniment of young people in light of Christus vivit.” In his message, Fr. Awi Mello wanted to present a model of spiritual accompaniment which is valid even in times of pandemic. The challenge, said the Secretary, is to continue to encounter and create relationships with young people even through virtual means, to inspire them and accompany them though processes of change and growth, yet without imposing anything. This model is that of the disciples of Emmaus who walked together with Jesus who, without any forcing the disciples, leads them to recognize him.

At the conclusion of his talk, Fr. Awi Mello invited all the participants—leaders in youth ministry—to reflect on the enormous possibilities for evangelization that this time offers, and to take advantage of the opportunity to renew themselves in the path of spiritual accompaniment, so as to recall vividly the restlessness and the questioning of a young heart.