Montfort Youth Camp 2024

Published by Bro. Nobertus WILTON WOGE, SMM in Indonesia · Wednesday 10 Jul 2024 · 2:45
Tags: NU, IDO, 1170

FLORES, Indonesia - On July 2-5, 2024, Montfort Youth from various places, namely Labuan Bajo, Ruteng, Poco, and Mbeling, gathered together in the Montfortian Novitiate in Ruteng for an annual camping program. There were 182 participants. They were guided by Montfort Missionaries (Fathers and Brothers), some lay animators, Sr. Elsiana, FMVI (who was in charge of the medical team), and Sr. Tesi, SCSC (who was in charge of cuisine). The theme of this gathering was “Let God’s Fire Fall”. For this special event, there was also a theme song composed by Fr. Fransiskus LAWE DANGA, SMM, Fr. Hyronimus A. DOMINGGUS, SMM, and Fr. Dominikus SIONG, SMM.

In the opening celebration, there was a solemn Mass led by Fr. Kasimirus JUMAT, SMM, at 6:00 PM, followed by some activities like dinner, an explanation of camping rules, group discussion, and the introduction of accompanying staff.

On the second day, these young people listened attentively to the presentation of Fr. Martinus TAMUR, SMM, whose theme was “Burn me with your Fire”, followed by Fr. Dominikus SIONG, SMM, whose theme was “Here, I am Lord”. In his presentation, Fr. Martin TAMUR, SMM said “we are like clay in the hands of God. God who is like potter never ceases to shape us. So, we are invited to let ourselves be shaped by God in whatever He wants”. On the other hand, Fr. Dominikus SIONG, SMM, asked the participants to be holy: “You can be holy while you are young. Hence, use social media wisely, like Carlo Acutis”. At the end of their presentation, the two speakers offered some questions for group discussion.

In the afternoon, there were vocational promotions from some religious congregations, followed by Adoration, Taize, and Confession. After dinner, all the participants took part in what we called “Walk in Faith”. People walked in group in the night in the midst of forest. In every post, there was a staff who would wait and test them by asking some tough questions.

On the third day, Fr. Hyronimus A. DOMINGGUS, SMM, talked about “With Mary Serving God”. He encouraged them to serve others joyfully, like Mary. At the end of his presentation, he asked them to share their experiences in each group “Do they serve others happily?” After sharing, they were divided into three groups: two groups visiting an orphanage in different places, and one group visiting the Good Shepherd Sisters Community, where they learned about ecology. And after dinner, they presented cultural performance, followed by a bonfire.

On the fourth day, they signed a joint commitment to develop their lives and faith as Montfort Youth. To end this event, everybody gathered in the chapel to celebrate Mass presided over by Fr. Heredi SUHARTONO, SMM. At that moment, everybody made their consecration to Jesus Christ, Wisdom Incarnate, through the hands of Mary.

Bro. Nobertus WILTON WOGE, SMM

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