Creativity placed at the service of the Gospel

Rio de Janeiro 08/06/13, (Sodalit News – Brazil).  In the days leading up to World Youth Day pilgrims from the Christian Life Movement (CLM) from all over world came together to share many projects which have creatively come about within the spiritual family.

The Holy Spirit has given life to a variety of apostolic initiatives in the Sodalit Family which are all responses to the diverse concrete circumstances where it present around the world. These projects were presented in the Christian Life Movement Encounter, which took place in Casa da Espanha, a cultural center in Rio de Janeiro.

For the majority of the pilgrims, especially the youngest like Diana Díaz from Bogotá, Colombia, the encounter was the first time in which she was able to share with so many members of the Sodalit Family together in the same place. The joyful reunion was for Diana and many others the “beginning of WYD, as it prepared my heart.” She shared with us her experience in the CLM: “It was a creative way of growing closer to the Lord, of seeking to be more coherent and of making holiness the principle goal.” This creativity was palpable in the many projects that were presented throughout the night of festivities.

Catholic-Link is a platform of apostolic videos, not necessarily of Catholic content, but which present some aspect of the Christian life that can be creatively used for the apostolate. It is run by a group of students and professionals associated to the CLM, from countries such as Italy, England, Mexico, Ecuador, the Philippines and Colombia.

Christ in the City is a project of social assistance in the city of Denver, Colorado, in which young students commit themselves to a volunteer experience, varying anywhere from one month up to a year. It is aimed towards homeless persons, who live on the streets in impoverished conditions or who are stuck in a life of vice. These volunteers, who also go through formation in the faith and live an intense spiritual life, seek to help these people reform themselves and have a dignified life.

The Chilean delegation presented the project Crece, which is now active as well in Argentina, Colombia and soon in Peru. It was born in order to help Chileans that have not completed their studies, and it seeks precisely to fulfill this educational need.

Teatro Convivio has the goal to proclaim the Gospel through the performing arts. The young actors presented a fragment of the play, “The Logic of God,” which is rich in content and chronicles the life of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, the patron saint of WYD.

Following these presentations Alessandro Moroni, Superior General of the Sodalitium of Christian Life, described these projects which have come about in the Sodalit spirituality as am, “mosaic that consists of small stones that each fit together to form an image.” Elaborating on the artistic expression, he noted that “each of these pieces is precious, but the real beauty is seen in the unity and in the whole.”

At the same time, he invited all of the pilgrims to allow, “this World Youth Day to serve so that we love Jesus each day more. So that with creativity and generosity, after having intensely lived these days, we can give ourselves more fully out of love for others.”

Each of these projects are fruit of the apostolic zeal of the different members of the Sodalit Family, who seek to respond to the needs and challenges of today’s world. These are critical for the unfolding and growth of the spiritual family.