(ANS – Taisha) – This year also the Shuar Youth Congress was held from 24 to 26 May at Shinkiatam, Taisha. About 425 young people took part, coming from 21 different  locations, accompanied by 22 catechists from the parishes of Tuutin-Entsa  and Taisha.  The adverse weather and the heavy rains did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm and joy of the young people.

They were days of great joy and excitement, with young people living the Gospel of joy as proposed in the 2013 Strenna. The Shuar young people experienced this through theatre and other forms of youthful expression.

The congress also addressed the topic of Don Bosco’s spirituality, comparing it to the criteria of today’s society that seeks instant happiness. “God wants us to have a lasting joy, which does not depend on money or material things. Real happiness is achieved only by people who live in constant self-giving. Our hands are meant to build, not to destroy. And Our Lady assures us of her protection and help.” These were some of the ides that emerged.

Many of the young people felt the desire to pursue further the idea of our hands as instruments of God. This topic will be studied again in forthcoming monthly meetings.  The congress is not meant to be the end of the pastoral year but the beginning of an ongoing programme of reflection and an incentive to go further.

During the three days there was also time for various games that were planned to encourage the young people to mix. The Saturday afternoon was devoted to reflection on the true meaning of love and sexuality.

Saturday evening was a real feast of Salesian joy. It began with a penitential liturgy. On the following day the congress concluded with a Mass during which Fr Segundo Cabrera, director of the Mission at Taisha, conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on 42 young people and invited them to continue with enthusiasm their youthful work for and with other young people.

Profound thanks were expressed to the organizing team and in particular to Fr Enrique Lima, Delegate for Youth Ministry in the Ecuador Province.

Published 06/06/2013