VENEZUELA: Formation time for adolescents, young adults of the Missionary Childhood and Adolescence Society, and families

From 13 to 17 February, the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) of Venezuela held several missionary formation workshops for adolescents, young adults, leaders of the Missionary Childhood and Adolescence Society (MCA) and families in Cabimas, Punto Fijo, Barquisimeto and Maracay.

In particular, the national edition of the School for Missionary Animators (ESAM) Level II took place at the ‘San Vicente de Paúl’ school in the Archdiocese of Barquisimeto. The workshops aimed to strengthen the holistic formation of missionary animators, deepening their understanding of their identity, spirituality and leadership. The Centimisión Missionary Leaders School (ELMIC) was held at the San José Obrero parish in the Diocese of Cabimas, aimed at enriching the formation of adolescents to respond to the challenges of evangelization by offering content for animation and reflection. In addition, the School for Missionary Leaders (ELMI) Level 1 was held at the ‘Punta Cardón’ parish school in the diocese of Punto Fijo. It was offered by the Youth Missionary Animation and Cooperation Service (Jovenmisión). The School for Missionary Families (EFAMI) was held at the San Martín de Porres school in the diocese of Maracay, with the participation of 16 couples from the archdiocese of Mérida and the dioceses of Maracay, Guasdualito, Acarigua-Araure, San Carlos and Los Teques. EFAMI is a training space that, through the service of animation and missionary cooperation for families, promotes processes of human, community, spiritual, doctrinal, pastoral and missionary formation, with the aim of strengthening family life and renewing its commitment to the universal mission of the Church. These formation meetings reflect the ongoing commitment of the PMS to promoting a Church that goes forth, forming missionary disciples in all stages of life. Through these spaces, children, adolescents, young people and families renew their baptismal vocation and take on their responsibility in missionary animation and cooperation with greater awareness.