As part of the ‘Youth Jubilee’ held in Rome in 2025, the ‘Vocations Apostolate Network’ -UCESM_VAN – promoted a series of meetings between young people and consecrated persons, called ‘MCP_together’: spaces for music (M), conversation (C) and prayer (P), with vocational testimonies, which brought together some 1,000 young people and consecrated persons from about 10 European countries in two basilicas in the city centre on the afternoon of 31 July: the Antonianum (Franciscans) and the Sacro Cuore (Salesians).
Several of the ‘National Referents’ linked to this Network collaborated in its organisation, as well as other religious and young participants.
Here is the testimony of one of the young people who experienced it:
The encounter I had with consecrated persons and young people from different places was a very beautiful experience.
First, there was a moment of MUSIC, which helped us to calm down and put us in a position to feel the living presence of Jesus among us.
Afterwards, we had a CONVERSATION in random groups with consecrated persons and young people to talk about who God is for us and what God wants in our lives. It was wonderful to be able to share our thoughts, doubts, desires and hopes. It helped me to reflect deeply on my own life and my relationship with God, and how He wants me to live my life.
Next, we had a moment of PRAYER, where we listened to the Word and some consecrated persons gave testimony about how they had felt God’s call in their lives and their generosity in their total surrender to God. Each in their own way, with their struggles and doubts, but with the same result, an unreserved yes to God. It made me think, ‘How brave they are and how much love they feel for and from God.’
Therefore, I can simply say that I left with a desire to know God more, to trust Him more and to let myself be transformed by Him, and to be able to share that joy that God gives us in the depths of our hearts with others, especially with people who do not believe.
The organising team for this event gives thanks to God for these two simple but meaningful spaces, which sought to bring young people and consecrated persons closer together, and for all those who collaborated to make them possible, from the parish priests of the Basilicas to the volunteers who welcomed the participants.
Two videos with images and voices from these two encounters can be viewed here: https://bit.ly/MCPtogether_videos