Oblate News

European Youth and Vocation Ministry Commission Gathers in Malmo

Gerard Bissett – OMI Youth, Ireland

From October 24 to 30, young people and Oblates from across Europe gathered in Malmo, Sweden, for the European Youth and Vocation Ministry Commission. The event centered on the June 2023 General Youth Mission guidelines, as participants shared insights and ideas for the upcoming pre-Jubilee gathering in Rome.

A meeting of listening to young people

“It is finished” were some of the last words from Jesus on the cross. We know that to be a metaphor as to what really would begin. That’s how some of our youth from across Europe felt as the European Commission for Youth and Vocations meeting came to a close. It is finished, but only the beginning. Many of the young people will return to their home country and share their experiences from the meeting with others, and some will not, yet the seed was sown and with God’s help it will bloom where it was planted.

For the Oblates it was a meeting of listening to young people. For the young people it was a time of opportunity to learn more about our founder’s idea of being Human, Christian and Saints. Using this information with the help of the Mission With Youth Guidelines they set themselves SMART GOALS on how they can help serve the Oblate mission with youth in their own units.

Being human

We talked about the powerful conversion of St Eugene on Good Friday and that God loves each and every one of us in our human weakness as we are. The question was made to the young people “what gift do you have that can help the Church?” Many answers came yet one very clear trend was the fact that they were present at the meeting showed this willingness to serve.

Being Christian

The Good Friday experience also made St Eugene want to live like Jesus and be in service to others. The young people were reminded of the importance of the sacramental life of the church, but how they can also go beyond that. The question was “Am I ready to serve Gods mission even when it is uncomfortable for me?” The answers were varied and the young spoke and by their own wisdom came to the conclusion that with the formation of a strong community and by doing what is right even when they don’t feel like it God’s work can be done. And one word: PRAY.

Being a saint

The youth were thought how St Eugene reminds us the need to live a holy life. By doing small things with great love. The question was made, “how can I help the forgotten just like St Eugene?” This questions brought out the desire’s within the youth to do good. Forming their own Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation groups (JPIC), visiting the sick and carrying out their corporal acts of mercy. Most importantly in the name of Jesus Christ. The youth didn’t want any recognition for this: they only want to serve Jesus.

In summary the young people expressed their desire to be leaders of youth in their own units, to pass on the flame to others by inviting them to come and see. They leave the meeting with a SMART GOAL set through the pastoral actions of the Mission With Youth Guidelines on how they can be shared and implemented in their own units. Most importantly: it’s ok for the youth to simply trust in God.

This article has come from OMI World.