On November 26-28, 2024, the second course for Franciscans in Europe, “Evangelizing Youth in Europe,” took place online.
The course was organized by the General Secretariats for Evangelization and for Mission Animation of the Order of Friars Minor, Friars Minor Conventual and Friars Minor Capuchin, as mandated by their Ministers General.
Each day of the course began with opening remarks from one of the Ministers General. Next, there was a lecture followed by a question and answer period and some in-depth analysis. The participants discussed their experiences in ministering to young people, and finally there was an address from one of the Secretaries General for Evangelization or Mission Animation.
In addition to the remarks from the Ministers General, which contained many ideas for reflection on the course’s theme, the course also featured three speakers who delivered very timely reflections on the apostolate with young people.
The speaker on the first day was His Eminence Cardinal Cristóbal LÓPEZ ROMERO (Salesians). He has extensive experience in youth ministry and encouraged the participants to reflect on the evangelization of young people in Europe today. On the second day, Brother Enzo BIEMMI (Brothers of the Holy Family) lectured on the topic: “Listening to Young People: The Appeal for a New Christianity.” On the third day, Sister Paola FORTUNIO (Franciscan Missionaries of the Immaculate Heart of Mary) lectured on: “The Franciscan Charism: A Bridge to Meeting Young People in Europe.” The friars participating online greatly appreciated the three lectures, and asked interesting questions for further study.
The course was translated simultaneously into English, French, Spanish, Polish and Croatian. There was significant participation by the friars, although their participation could have been much greater. Based on the number who registered, it appears there were 180 participants for the course. Many signed up as individuals but there were some fraternities who signed up as well. For example at the Antonianum College in Rome, a group signed up with twenty listeners.
The participants came from twenty-three European countries: Italy (93 participants); Spain (14); England (9); Poland and France (8 each); Austria (4); Slovenia (3); Ukraine, Switzerland, Belarus, Germany and Portugal (2 each); Iceland, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Hungary, Romania, Turkey, Malta, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Greece (1 each). In addition, some of those who registered were from non-European countries: Mexico (4 participants); Honduras, Peru and Brazil (2 each); El Salvador, Burkina Faso, Argentina, Kenya, Canada, Paraguay and Bolivia (1 each). In terms of the Orders to which the participants belonged: Capuchin Franciscans (77); Friars Minor (69); Conventual Franciscans (26), Third Order Regular (1) and other affiliations (8).
The texts of the conferences and the videos are now available:
The texts can be found at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1S2Yu8a8tTfApNyjNA2Jv0P8nBWaw497j?usp=share_link
The videos can be found on the channel linked below, which was created specifically to feature videos of the joint activities. All of the videos from last year’s course can be watched there now:
https://www.youtube.com/@Evangelizzazioneinterfrancesca/playlists
These materials can aid reflection on our current apostolate with young people. They can be used by friary communities or even larger groups.
Friar Dariusz Robert MAZUREK,OFM Conv.
Friar Francisco GÓMEZ, OFM
Friar Mariosvaldo FLORENTINO, OFM Cap.
