Montreal, Canada. On May 31, the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Claretian Vocation Day, the Claretians in Quebec held their first youth gathering with participants from Montreal and Sherbrooke. Around 30 young people joined the day of fraternity, prayer, formation, and missionary sharing.
The gathering began with recreational and interactive activities, followed by the celebration of the Eucharist at Notre-Dame-d’Anjou Parish. The Mass was presided over by Fr. Beauplan Derilus, parish vicar, and concelebrated by Fr. Reegan Soosai, CMF, Prefect of Apostolate of the USA–Canada Province.
During the Mass, a special blessing was given to the young people. Fr. Reegan, CMF, also presented three pastoral priorities of the Province: ministry with migrants, ministry with youth and young adults, and biblical ministry.
After a fraternal meal, the participants met in small groups to share reflections and build new friendships. The afternoon included a formation session in which Fr. Dosithée Mabwasele, CMF shared his vocational journey from Congo to Montreal, through his studies in Spain.
Fr. Reegan, CMF, later reflected on Jesus’ call to follow him and presented the lives of Saint Anthony Mary Claret and Carlo Acutis, encouraging the young people to remain attentive to the Holy Spirit and to serve society with faith and commitment.
The day concluded with prayer, music, and outdoor sports. The testimonies of Joachim Kajibwami and Daniel Herndandez Vargas expressed the joy of the encounter, the value of shared faith, and the hope for future gatherings with more young people.
Source: Fr. Reegan Soosai, CMF, USA–Canada Province, Prefect of Apostolate
