Parents, guardians and advisors of Missionary Childhood and Adolescence People from various parts of the state gathered this weekend at the Archdiocesan Sanctuary of Health and Peace in Belo Horizonte for the 7th State Congress of the IAM – Missionary Childhood and Adolescence. The event, which ended yesterday, already leaves behind fond memories and a desire for more.

Litssa Vaz Ribeiro is 14 years old and is from the city of João Pinheiro, in the northwest region of Minas Gerais. She endured more than 6 hours of travel to participate in the Congress in the state capital. “"I learned a lot during these days here. Those six hours of traveling to be here were totally worth it.", the teenager pointed out.

With the theme: The Joy of Communion in Mission, the activities were concentrated in the auditorium of the Padre Eustáquio Theater, attached to the church. During the three days of the congress, the young missionaries experienced lectures, workshops, cultural presentations, moments of prayer and exchange of experiences.

For Margarete Julião, archdiocesan coordinator of Missionary Childhood and Adolescence, the goal was to awaken ardent hearts and feet on the path in children. The rector of the Sanctuary, Fr. Vinícius Maciel, SSCC, highlighted the joy of hosting the meeting in the church that was conceived by a missionary, Blessed Father Eustáquio.

At the closing Mass, the archdiocesan coordinator of IAM-BH passed the Congress banner to the diocesan coordinator of IAM in Januária. The next meeting will be in 2025 in the city of São Francisco, which belongs to the diocese of Januária.

Review the celebrations, broadcast on the Padre Eustáquio Channel:

Opening Mass
Closing Mass

Check out some photos from the Congress: