The National Congress of the “New Generations of Consecrated Life” took place in Medellin, Colombia in April 2018. Two hundred and seventy young people from different Congregations and nationalities took part.

As a Daughter of Jesus, this experience was for me a warm and very enriching meeting. I felt part of a large, diverse and multicultural family.

Looking at the reality of today’s world :

Jesus continues to call today, in this world that seems to go against the model of God’s reign. As we look at this world, we are invited to reflect on the following question :

“What I am ready to do every day to preserve the treasures of faith, charism, gifts, the desire to be salt and light in my way of serving?”

As young people today, we want to live out the invitation of Pope Francis to “Announce the Gospel”, to go towards the existential and geographical peripheries with the conviction that Jesus sends us and accompanies us there in order to build his reign in union with others.

A time to dream :

We were given time to listen to each other and to express the concerns and dreams that we carry in our hearts. As consecrated young people we dream of :

A harmonious life based on the wealth of the different generations and nationalities. We consider that this is an aspect of the communion that we want to cultivate so that our lives may be a sign of unity in a fragmented society that favours individualism over community.

The convictions we have retained :

These dreams become challenges and because of this, we reaffirm our desire to announce the Faith “in the street”, there where we live out our mission in the community and in the Church. We also reaffirm our desire to always nourish ourselves with the God of Jesus Christ.

He wanted to call us. He chose that we should collaborate with him in the realization of his project of salvation, protection of life, a life that is fully human. After this intergenerational and international meeting, we left with the desire to transmit hope, joy, and dynamism.

I am grateful to the Congregation and to the Church for giving me this opportunity to meet together and I pray that the Master will continue to guide every vocation. In our reply to God’s will for our lives, may we give the same “Yes” each day that Mary gave.

Sr Escarlin Veronica Calix Herrera dj