Vincentian youth already have an appointment with faith, hope, and charity. From September 4 to 6, 2026, the 4th Pilgrimage of Vincentian Youth will take place at the Caraça Sanctuary, in Minas Gerais, Brazil, bringing together young people from different regions of Brazil for an experience of spirituality, fraternal fellowship, and strengthening of the Vincentian charism.

With the theme “Vincentian Youth: Where there is hope, charity is born: He came to dwell among us,” the Pilgrimage once again emerges as an opportunity for reencountering God, one’s neighbor, and the Vincentian mission. The program will include celebrations, workshops, cultural moments, a spiritual journey, sharing sessions, and concrete experiences of charity.

According to Rafael Castro de Oliveira, president of the Saint Peter the Apostle Conference and one of those responsible for organizing the event, the Pilgrimage arose after the period of the pandemic, as a response to the desire of young people to return to living the mission in a close and community-based way.

“After times marked by distancing, by the longing for gatherings, and by the need to rediscover the meaning of the mission, young people felt in their hearts the desire to return to serving, evangelizing, and living charity in a close and genuine way,” he explains.

He emphasizes that the Pilgrimage goes far beyond a festive gathering. “More than an event, the Pilgrimage emerged as a reencounter: with God, with one’s neighbor, and with the Vincentian charism itself,” he says.

Youth, Spirituality, and Charity in Communion

The Caraça Sanctuary, considered one of the cradles of the Vincentian charism in Brazil, will once again be the setting for the Pilgrimage, offering participants an experience marked by spirituality, nature, and fellowship among young people.

“Young people found a place to pray, sing, walk, laugh, make friends, and renew hope through charity,” Rafael stresses.

The program was designed by bringing together spirituality, formation, and practical experiences. Highlights include celebrations, themed workshops, moments of prayer, cultural presentations, and this edition’s new feature: the “Trail of Charity,” held through the woods of the Caraça Sanctuary.

“Along the route, participants will experience moments of reflection, spirituality, and interaction, as well as some surprises specially prepared to make this experience even more memorable,” the organizer explains.

The workshops will also have a more dynamic and concrete approach, encouraging young people to experience charity in practice through group activities and experiences of service.

“More than hearing about charity, young people will be invited to live it through dynamic experiences, group actions, and activities that awaken youth leadership and commitment to one’s neighbor,” Rafael adds.

Unity Among the Branches of the Vincentian Family

In addition to the participation of Vincentian youth groups, the Pilgrimage will also bring together other branches of the Vincentian Family, strengthening communion and unity among the various charisms inspired by Saint Vincent de Paul.

For Ana Claudia Prado, National Coordinator of the Youth Commission, this is one of the Pilgrimage’s great distinguishing features. “The Pilgrimage is an event that brings together other branches of the Vincentian Family, so it is a very important and fitting moment for us to grow in our charism, and for us to be in communion with other branches,” she points out.

She also reinforces the importance of young people’s participation, especially from the regions closest to Caraça. “As national coordinator, I want to encourage and motivate young people to participate, to register, and to be involved in the Pilgrimage. Especially regions 1 and 2, which are closer to Caraça, so that they can organize themselves with caravans,” she says.

According to Ana Claudia, this fellowship strengthens the Vincentian vocation itself. “This interaction with other branches greatly strengthens our vocation. We are one family, so this is a very important moment for our journey.”

She also highlights the appeal the gathering may have for young people. “Caraça has all this natural beauty, and there will be a trail, which is new in this edition, so it is something very appealing for young people,” she comments.

Registration Open

The Pilgrimage is open to young people who belong, or do not belong, to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and who wish to live an experience of faith, fellowship, and service. In this edition, there will be two participation options:

• Package A: accommodation at Caraça from September 4 to 6, with full board and a pilgrim kit;
• Package B — Day Use: participation only on September 5, including meals and a pilgrim kit.

Registration remains open until June 30, with limited spots available. The organization emphasizes that the camping option will not be available this year due to administrative and environmental issues related to the Caraça Sanctuary itself. Register here.

The organizers hope to offer participants an experience capable of renewing their faith and strengthening their commitment to charity. “We want every young person to leave the Pilgrimage with a renewed heart, strengthened faith, and the certainty that small actions also transform realities,” Rafael says.

At the end, he offers a special invitation to young people who are still thinking about participating: “allow yourselves to live this experience. The Pilgrimage of Vincentian Youth to Caraça is much more than an event; it is a gathering capable of marking the lives of young people, renewing faith, and awakening something new within each person.”

More information and registration details can be followed through the official social media channels of Vincentian Youth.

Ricaella Inocente
Source: https://www.ssvpbrasil.org.br/