Family photo with the Bishop
2nd edition of “Eymardian Days”
On 27 and 28 July 2024 the Parish of Saint Peter of Baobabs in the Province of Our Lady of Africa, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, held the 2nd edition of “Eymardian Days” on the theme “The Transformation of youth through the Eucharist: Daring, Courage, Creativity.”
This day signified above all the closing of our activities and was directed towards inspiring and encouraging young people to live the Christian faith and its values fully in their respective environments, following our Founder Saint Peter-Julian Eymard. This year, the activities were conducted over two days with more than 70 participants, active members of the Eymardian Youth (Jeunesse Eymardienne = JE) and some young and adult guests, apart from our Elders in the Aggregation and Religious of the Blessed Sacrament. The following three components were highlighted:
The social component - The spiritual component - The fraternal component.
The “Eymardian Days” began on 27 July by organising two panels regarding:
- “Entrepreneurship and Catholic Youth: Faith, Innovation and Social Impact”
- “Catholic Youth and Socio-Political Commitment: daring to be a Leader”.
Thus, this social aspect made us launch for the first time to be organised as panels, offering young people a framework for reflection and discussion on the themes mentioned above, and the opportunity to make their products known by means of an exhibition-sale at the end of the activity. We became thereby aware of this broad vision of youth and service, as well as this desire to conquer the world, to go and discover new horizons, as expressed in our three key words in the main theme of this 2nd edition: Audacity, Courage, Creativity.
These panels were directed by talented young entrepreneurs, members or not of the JE. Working in various fields, these young people were able to share their experiences in order to motivate and inspire those who wish to embark on entrepreneurship or political activity.
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Delivery of gifts to the participants |
We concluded our beautiful activities with thanksgiving on Sunday, July 28, with a Eucharist presided over by Monsignor Martin Boucar Tine, the Bishop of Kaolack, who graced us with his remarkable presence. And just after this beautiful Eucharistic celebration, we had the joy of sharing the main theme of these “Eymardian Days” with SSS Religious of the Province, especially the oldest, from whom we received words of encouragement.
The opportunity was also available for some of the members of the JE to share their experience of the Eucharist and about their gradual transformation since joining the movement. Afterwards, in a very friendly atmosphere we shared a fraternal meal with our guests!
This 2nd edition of the "Eymardian Days" ended with the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, led by the young people and the members of the steering committee. This was a way for us to mark our belonging to this beautiful Eymardian Family!
Louise Nancy Ndaw
On behalf of the Secretariat of the Eymardian Youth,
