I have already known “The light of Mary” community for about twelve years and I’ve been living in it for the past four. Here I am discovering my vocation and I thank God for everything He gives me through the community.

After living in this community for a year I felt a desire to do something more than I had done before. I asked God what more I could do but nothing came to mind. I kept asking  and I was troubled by my inability to understand the essence of my invitation within the vocation I am learning to live here.

I kept carrying out my daily duties and continued to pray. After some time I realized that God had already given me an answer – and that answer is deeply rooted in my heart. God has bestowed on me a love for youth and children since my childhood as there were always little ones in my family with whom I played and spent time. While studying I often met young persons who were lost and lacked values or a sense of meaning in their lives – and it deeply hurt me. At that time I felt sympathy for them but didn’t understand why it was getting me down.

After a long time of waiting for an answer I became aware of Cod’s calling to spread the messages of Our Lady which are an echo of God’s Word for the hearts of children and youth in Slovakia and to do so in a simple and childlike way. Along with the other members, who opened their hearts to service I was grateful to finally know what I was meant to do. We began online meetings for children and youth during which we reflected on God’s Word and the messages of Our Lady.

Later on God led us to serve children who came on pilgrimage to Medjugorje by explaining to them the five main messages of Our Lady in a simple way. We also started filming videos with meditations on the monthly 25th messages as well as podcasts with Sunday reflections for children. So this service is alive and continues to grow with God’s help.

This year we have managed to organize a youth camp that took place on the last weekend of August at Luchky parish near Ruzhomberok. This parish is well known for its monthly prayer evenings held in the spirit of Medjugorje attracting many people who love Medjugorje and the Virgin Mary.

We chose Saint Gemma as our patron because we were moved by her pure, childlike heart and her innocent, plain thoughtfulness which we strive to pass on through our teaching.  The main theme of our camp was the relationships with God and our neighbour. The camp lasted three days and was attended by 15 young people with whom we have been meeting online for almost three years. This plan inspired by God came to us a year ago. At that moment we couldn’t have imagined at all how it would come to fulfillment. We have carried it in our hearts for a long time until we finally gathered the courage to speak it out. We came to understand fully that this was truly God’s will and now after the camp ended we can say with confidence that it really was.

The youth were also inspired by the testimony of Tereza Gazhiiova who shared how to live in a relationship with Our Lady so as to deepen the relationship with God. Father Peter Vinitsian explained to young people the importance of Holy Confession and through his humane approach encouraged them to ask questions which they usually are ashamed to speak out. We spent a blessed time with activities, prayers and lectures. We were on a pilgrimage at the Old Mountains where we consecrated ourselves to Our Lady, prayed before the Blessed Sacrament and every one of the young people experienced a sincere and profound confession.

At the end of the camp there was the most powerful moment of consecration of an academic year to Our Lady’s intentions. During the Holy Mass the youth had an opportunity to take this step and they accepted it with joy. Each youth approached the altar placing their intentions upon it with faith that Our Lady would take care of them. That moment was very moving and touched our hearts deeply.

This camp was a completely new experience for our community through which we gained a lot. We are grateful to the Virgin Mary for opening doors and hearts with Her tender Heart making everything possible. We don’t know what  plans God has next but we desire to keep praying for the fulfillment of all plans of peace especially through this ministry. Youth are in need of closeness, care and guidance. All that we sow in their hearts will surely take root and may bring joy to God and their neighbors.  We do this with faith and trust that God will make use of it.  We are grateful that we were able to discern and respond to that tender invitation to organize such a camp.

Simona, Slovakia