Report : Grand meeting of the Juventutem International Federation in Bern, Switzerland.

Ciaran, (President, Juventutem Ireland) pictured above




A varied group of nearly 30 youths and clergy from 12 countries has gathered last weekend (9-10 February 2008) in the Swiss capital for the first grand meeting of the Juventutem International Federation, a society of lay youths aiming at the sanctification through the Roman Traditions of the Catholic Church.

The group was lead by President Gregory Flash, Secretary David Oostveen and Treasurer Cosimo Marti, and Fr. Armand de Malleray as Ecclesiastical Assistant. We participated in several pious activities, such as adorations, Low and Solemn High Masses in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, and Adoration and Solemn traditional Vespers organized by the diocese of Fribourg, that take place in its majestic Cathedral on a monthly basis.

Various nationalities

Ten countries had sent delegates; including France, England, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Hungary, Lithuania and even Hong-Kong, plus a larger Swiss delegation and Slovakian and Spanish prospective members, one of them representing Argentina. Our groups from Kenya had sent written procuration and our other groups from Brazil, Columbia, Chile, and Scotland were represented by the President.

There was also room for debate, because a number of agreements were reached in the future constitution of a Juventutem Foundation, a common rule for the local chapters of Juventutem’s logos, and the promotion of the Federation’s new website, www.juventutem.org.
[You can watch the videos here (the musical background is not ours...)]