Fr. William Blazek, our Regional Director for Canada and the United States, Fr. Binh Nguyen, Director of the Eucharist Youth Movement for the United States, and Sr. Lourdes Vargas, Coordinator of EYM for Canada, arrived in Asuncion Paraguay for the 9th biennial gathering of the EYM leadership from across the Americas. Sr. Lourdes is also the international assistant for EYM to our international director, Fr. Frederic Fornos. Leadership from 14 nations across North, Central and South America have come together at the “Santos Martires” retreat house to pray, share, and plan for the continuing recreation of the Eucharistic Youth Movement in light of the ongoing recreation of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, the Apostleship of Prayer.

Monday the group reoriented itself in a day of prayer dedicated to “The Way of the Heart,” our spirituality of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Reflections on each step were followed by periods of silent reflection, group sharing, and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Fr. Blazek commented from Asuncion, “Given the importance of personal relationships in this ministry to youth and young adults, it has been important for the national directors to have time to pray, take meals, and deepen our friendships in the Lord. The Holy Spirit has been palpably present in our gatherings.”

Fr. Blazek will be writing daily from Paraguay with updates on the conference.

Photo (above): Fr. Frederic Fornos, SJ (second from right) addresses the gathering