Youth Conviviality
Over the course of three days, young people aged 18 to 30, coming from the parishes of Placetas, Báez, Fomento, Cabaiguán, Guayos, and Falcón, traveled from Placetas to Havana to experience a convivencia (winter camp) focused on the themes of encounter and service.
Welcomed into a house provided by the Carmelite community, the young people quickly turned this place into a real space for communal living.
The convivencia began with a time of blessing in the church adjacent to the accommodation. A few guidelines were established to guide these days: to be open to others, to be available for service, and to allow oneself to be led by the Lord.
Once everyone settled into the house, the group met with Archbishop Eloy Domínguez Martínez of Havana.
This exchange allowed for a discussion on religious diversity in Cuba and a reflection on the place and hope of young people in a country where everyday challenges are numerous.
The second day was entirely dedicated to service. The young people went to the Santovenia residence, run by the Hermanitas de los Ancianos Desamparados, which cares for the elderly. After Mass, they took time to visit the facility and interact with the residents.
A highlight of the day was the Christmas carols, accompanied on the piano, which filled the residents with joy. The smiles, the hands clapping in rhythm, and the bright eyes were clear signs of their happiness.
The music continued through the halls, inviting the residents to dance. Then came the time for the meal, served at the pace of the elderly. Each person was assigned a group so that everyone could eat at the same time.
After the elderly had their nap, the young people shared a time of quick-fire games, followed by questions related to key moments in the Christian faith, before joining the residents to pray the rosary together in the church. A beautiful way to conclude this day of service.
The evenings also allowed the group to discover Havana, including a visit to the San Carlos fort and its famous cannon shot.
On the final day, everyone rolled up their sleeves to clean the house before visiting the Cristóbal Colón Cemetery, a large historic site known for its rich religious iconography and marble sculptures.
This convivencia, organized by the members of the youth group “Contra Corriente” council, marked the end of the year with a true missionary spirit.
“Lord, we thank you for these days of encounter and service. Teach us to keep this fraternal joy alive and to make it grow wherever you send us”
