VISIT TO SLOVAKIA

Invited by the National Council to give a formation session to the Advisors and Animators of the VMY, I visited Slovakia on May 6-8, 2005. There, VMY has some 2,000 members distributed among the three regions with about a hundred groups. 

FRIDAY, MAY 6

     After being met at the airport in Vienna, I travelled with Fr. Pavol Noga, CM (National Priest Advisor,) Sr. Margita Grobarcikova, DC (National Sister Advisor) and 2 members of the AIC to Bratislava which is the capital of the country. There Ladislav Slobodnik (National President) received us and then we were led to the venue of the Encounter, the Provincial House of the Daughters of Charity in Nitra. A welcome activity, Eucharistic celebration presided by Fr. Augustin Slaninka, CM, Assistant Provincial Visitor, and dinner were made. These were followed by the presentation of delegates: 8 Priests, 9 Sisters, 24 leaders and 6 members of the National Council, a total of almost 50 participants. The objectives of the Encounter were to deepen the identity of VMY and to promote the participation of the Sisters and Priests in the Advisorship of the group. The first one was satisfactorily achieved while the second remains as a pending task for the National Council.     

     During the first session, they presented briefly the situation of the Association: There are many groups but few advisors. However, there are Sisters present among the Regional and National Councils. The National Priest Advisor is also serving the Vincentian Family and popular missions. The Priests collaborate in the formation sessions and encounters. Throughout the year they  organized some 20 Leadership and Animators Formation Sessions, Spiritual Exercises and Youth Camps by region. They have a National Office, a well-bonded National Team, bimonthly bulletin… and their biggest problem is the lack of economic resources. They have a strong international conscience and are wishing to have an interchange with neighboring countries; to give and receive, in order to grow more. This was the initial scene that marks the reflection the day after. To end, I led the Marian Holy Hour which was prepared by the International Secretariat.   

SATURDAY, MAY 7

     The central theme of the day was my conference: The four Pillars of VMY (Spirituality- Community- Formation- Apostolate.) I was assisted by three translators: Sr. Petra, Sr. Suzana and Maria. I invited the group to strengthen these basic dimensions of our life as an association, reinforce the four pedagogical lines: encounter, prayer, sharing of experience and fostering youth leadership and doing transformative service. Afterwards, there was a time for personal reflections and group work for the participants.  

     In the afternoon, the groups expressed there concerns and questions which aided the "putting into practice" of the theme. I ended the activity with brief information sharing about the General Assembly Paris 2005 and the Vincentian Youth Encounter in Cologne. We celebrated the Eucharist in the Cathedral in Nitra, which guarded the memories of the preaching of Sts. Cyril and Method in the 6^th Century. After dinner, we ended the day with a socio-cultural activity led by a folk group dressed in their typical costumes. Songs, dances and theatrical presentations manifested the joy of the participants.   

SUNDAY, MAY 8

     For a short time that morning, I gave a talk entitled, "Achievements, Difficulties and Challenges of VMY," wherein I presented the development of VMY in the last five years and the challenges that face the next Assembly. Then, we had an evaluation of the Encounter and the Eucharistic celebration presided by Msgr. Balaz, Auxiliary Bishop of Nitra. After lunch and farewell to the Sisters, I went to Bratislava to thank Fr. Stanislav Zontak, Visitor, for the support that the Priests gave VMY. We thank God for this encounter and we ask Him to bless so that the seeds that were sown may grow and take root for the good of the young people and the poor.  

Pedro Castillo,CM.