My experience at EMLA 2023.

I can start this article by saying that the Providence of the Lord and the Intercession of our Blessed Mother were present before, during, and after the encounter. Young people from different parts of Latin America, with very different realities, gathered by a single love and excitement, sharing the joy of meeting each other, regardless of whether we knew each other before or not. You are a friend from the moment you arrive, and to feel like family, all it takes is a hug.

Just as our anthem says: “There will always be a friendly hand…” That is how the spirit of VMY was felt. From the first day, laughter was present. Within the organization, I can mention that the organizing team from VMY Honduras had a difficult task to find the most suitable spaces for each topic, activity, and prayer. Being close to them and supporting them to the best of my ability, I can say that the love they have for VMY is worthy of admiration.

We shared life experiences, our cultures, and the love for Jesus and Mary. Accompanied by our national advisers from the Congregation of the Mission and the Daughters of Charity, who added significance to the encounter. Feeling the joy that each person injected into the event, supporting each other in the responsibilities that each region and country had, and above all, the moments of play were very special to me. Each of these moments strengthened the bonds and allowed us to create a great working team for the missions.

I cannot overlook the Mission experience we had, and I remember it with great affection. Families that had distanced themselves were returning to the church, opening the doors of their homes to receive us along with my partner and our special guest, the presence of Mary under the invocation of Our Lady of Suyapa (Patroness of Honduras). Seeing how their children rejoiced upon seeing her image in their home demonstrates the love of children for their Mother.

The social reality of the community we visited was one of peasant struggle. Several delegates of the Word had already been killed, and fear inundated the hearts of the community, causing them to distance themselves from the church. In addition, the growing influence of Protestant sects caused those who still approached to pray to waver in their faith.

The visit was of great help to make us feel closer, not only to our Mother but also to Jesus in the Eucharist. It gave us the opportunity for anyone who was bedridden/paralyzed (due to problems, conflicts, wounds, or fears) to rise from their mat with the help of the Master. The Holy Hour and the Holy Rosary were among the most special moments we shared. The youngest ones taught their parents to pray the Rosary with joy. During the Holy Hour, the adults knelt to adore Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. Since there was no tabernacle in the community, we placed a mobile phone with the image of Jesus exposed in the monstrance, and that was enough for the Spirit of the Lord to manifest among us, comforting and strengthening us.

Therefore, I conclude by saying, “Where the Son is, there is the Mother, and where the Mother is, there is the Son.” And it is to the Lord that we render honor because He never left us alone for a moment.

Juan Fuentes
JMV Guatemala
Source: https://jmvinter.org/