Saltillo (Mexico). From 11 to 24 July 2025, in Saltillo, at the Aldea Infantil Pepita de Valle Arizpe Family Home, of Mater Ecclesiae Province (MMO), the VIDES 2025 Formation Camp was held for a group of young people from different states of Mexico: Oaxaca, Nuevo León, Jalisco, Guanajuato, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas, Sonora, and Chihuahua.
Guided by the motto, “Together to transform… Hands, mind, and heart’, the young people experienced moments of integral formation with spaces for prayer, formative topics, group dynamics, service, and conviviality.
The coordination and general accompaniment were entrusted to Sister Karla Marrón, Sister Josefina Portillo, and Sister Dinora Martínez who, with their dedication and joy, were “lighthouses” that illuminated everyone’s path.
During the days, moments of great spiritual and formative richness were experienced. One of the most significant contributions was the “QPR” (Question, Persuade, Refer) workshop on “Suicide Prevention” and the “AVI” workshop which dealt with the “Prevention of violence, ill-treatment, and child sexual abuse”. These workshops were held by the “Educando en Red” organization, whose representatives and trainers conveyed a strong ethical commitment.
Fundamental themes and workshops such as Salesian Spirituality, Prayer, Social Doctrine of the Church, and Human Development were also explored, given by speakers who enriched the experience with their testimony, including Sister Cristina Puntos, Sister Gabriela Fernández, Sister Leonor Salazar, and Fr. Luis Francisco Aldrete, SDB.
The formative part was joined by dynamics, moments of reflection, and liturgical celebrations. These included the Eucharistic Celebration and the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, thus allowing every young person to find themselves with themselves, with others, and with God.
Another great gift was the experience of the apostolate with the little girls of Aldea Infantil, who were the concrete face of God’s love. Not only time was shared with them, but also games, learning, and faith. The apostolate consisted of offering them art (manual skills, theater) and sports (football and volleyball) workshops, putting their talents and skills in service.
Every day, times of games and entertainment were shared and a ‘good afternoon’ message was offered focused on the values of coexistence, followed by workshops, organized so that every little girl could participate in an artistic and sporting activity. At the end of the day, a prayer was held to give thanks for what was experienced.
From the beginning, each participant received the name of a little girl to accompany with prayer for the entire duration of the experience, thus establishing a special bond. It was in this interaction that many found that service transforms both the giver and the receiver.
A day was then dedicated to hiking with the little girls and their ‘spiritual godparents’. Nature became a stage of fraternity, joy, and contemplation. This outing strengthened community bonds and gave everyone moments of profound happiness.
Another significant experience was the visit to Casa Santa María de Nazareth, the community of elderly and sick sisters, with whom they shared the Eucharist and a time of fraternity, listening to their vocational testimonies of fidelity and dedication to God. The “Volunteering Expo” was held in the same space where young people were able to learn about various opportunities through presentations and testimonies from other volunteers, to broaden their vision and begin a deeper personal discernment.
Halfway through the Formation Camp, the Vocational Retreat was celebrated. It was a space of silence, listening, and discernment. Inspired by Psalm 27, each participant was invited to ask sincerely, “Lord, what do you want from me?” With the help of tools such as the ‘vision board’, the Life Project, and prayer before Jesus in the Eucharist, the young people were able to write their letter of request with the option that resonated in their hearts: become a volunteer, integrate into VIDES formation, continue spiritual accompaniment or begin the Period of Assessment and Guidance (PVO).
At the end of the Camp, the Festival of Gratitude was experienced with emotion, enthusiasm, and lots of joy. The “flagship” of this transformative experience was the sending Mass, with the accompaniment of Sister Socorro Hernández, the MMO Provincial. Each one brought with them much more than they expected: new friendships, greater vocational clarity, the joy of service and, above all, the certainty that God continues to call and send.
God’s passage into the lives of the participants became tangible with concrete fruits. In fact, from this experience arose: two aspirants to consecrated life in the FMA Institute; three national volunteers; six local volunteers; four young people who renewed their presence in the VIDES Council, and four young people who integrated into the Council.
