Visit to VMY Italy 2011

After their participation in the International Meeting of European Volunteers (Rome), two members of the International Team, Father Pavol and Ghislain, took advantage of their stay in Rome and on November 13th visited the Vincentian Marian Youth Association in Italy, the headquarters of which is in Naples.

On November 12th they traveled from Rome to Naples by train.  Then, on the morning of November 13th, they visited the provincial houses of the Daughters of Charity and the Congregation of the Mission and then met with some members of the National Council (the advisors, the president and the treasurer) … other members, because of distance and/or work, were unable to participate.  During the meeting they dialogued about themes with regard to the life of the VMY in Italy and other themes concerning the International Secretariat.

In the afternoon they met with various groups of the Association in Naples and these meetings took place in a very joyful and enthusiastic atmosphere.  After an initial group dynamic, the lay leaders presented their groups and the activities that they are engaged in.  Father Pavol and Ghislain spoke about the international structure of the Association and some aspects of the Final Document of the last General Assembly (2010).  The members of the Association in Italy were encouraged to participate in the life of the Secretariat as an enriching experience.

This time with the young men and women of the association was concluded with a “feast” … original Neapolitan pizza. :P

We give thanks to God for having had this opportunity to know the VMY in Italy and to be able to share in their joy and enthusiasm.  We hope that the members of the Association in Italy will continue to contribute to the ministry of the Association on the international level.