AEC Youth Assembly begins this week

MARTINIQUE

As the Local Organising Committee (LOC) fine tunes its preparation for the sixth AEC Youth Assembly, July 10–23, they ask each delegation to prepare by praying the Lectio Divina, studying Amoris Laetitia and completing their presentation.

On Tuesday, some 1,700 youth from 19 (arch)dioceses, including Port of Spain, will descend on Fort-de-France, Martinique for this year’s assembly themed Youth Transforming the Caribbean Family.

Coordinator, AEC Youth Secretariat, Ellis Southwell said the purpose of the gathering is to re-affirm the youths’ Catholic identity; appreciate the varying styles of prayer and celebrating the Mass; join in the missionary experience; help discern vocation; and chart an approach that will transform family life in the region.

All participants will be accommodated with host families at least in pairs.

“The youth will be assigned to families outside Fort-de-France for the Days in the Parish and then they will move to a second family in Fort-de-France for the Catechetical Days.”

According to Southwell, one of the beautiful traditions of the opening of the Assembly is the Flag Ceremony. “The LOC is requesting that each delegation provides their national flag which should be submitted to the Secretariat in Fort-de-France upon registration. The dimensions of the flag should be 3ftx 5ft. The flag will be returned at the end of the assembly.”

He added that all eyes are “waiting expectantly” for the winner of this year’s AEC Got Talent competition. Castries emerged the overall winner in 2015.

The AEC Got Talent, organised to showcase the talent of youth in four disciplines: dance, drama, instrumental and voice, will take place Saturday, July 21.

AECYA PRAYER

O God our Father

We worship and adore you.

We acknowledge your great wisdom,

And we desire to submit to your providential plan in all our undertakings.

We thank you for the gift of families

Where the seeds of faith are sowed and nurtured.

Help us to recognise the beauty of human love, and the important role of the family in sharing the gospel and building a world of justice, peace and love.

Therefore, Merciful Lord,

By the grace of Your Holy Spirit,

Help us to be humble and realistic

As we assess our Caribbean reality

And seek effective ways to apply the Good News

To transform the Caribbean family.

We ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ

Our Lord and Saviour.

Amen.