General House in Rome, 18 July 2016 -- The VIDES International was launched by the FMA Sisters in 1991 only 4 years after the beginning of the Volunteer Service NGO in Italy. In 42 countries you can find 209 groups of young adults committed to voluntary services and animated by the FMA sisters. The VIDES (International Volunteering Women Education and Development; http://www.vides.org) organization has also a General Assembly and International Conventions. This week about 150 of young people with the FMA sisters from 34 countries hold another 11th World Assembly in Rome, Salesianum.
Within the EAO region there are VIDES groups in the provinces of CYM (Cambodia), CIN (Macao), Korea (Seoul, Kwangju, Jeju and Pusan), Philippines (Manila), Japan (Tokyo, Kyushu), Thailand (Banpong, Bangkok, Udonthani, Haad Yai) and Vietnam (Ho Chi Min City). During the 2016 International Congress were present 16 young people from Thailand, Korea and Japan and 10 FMA Sisters from Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Korea and Japan. For the conclusion Eucharist joint also Sr. Maria Assunta Inoue and Sr. Runita Borja (FMA general councilors).
The VIDES participants enjoyed their daily sharing through workshop and good practices, their Mercy Year Jubilee pilgrimage in Rome, the beautiful natural harmony of the Pisana compound as well the closeness to the Rector Major. Indeed Fr. Angel presided their conclusion Eucharist on the evening of July 18. In his homily congratulated the delegates for their new energy to serve the people in need and ask them to growth in the spirit of service and life witness like Jesus: 'Indeed the best proclamation of Jesus is your life witness of self-giving service'! This can't be done by any NGO around the world.
One of the present FMA VIDES delegates (Sr. Michaela) shared, that during these days was encouraged a lot to continue the animation of their groups. Especially the life sharing and good practices confirmed her in their path with not-so-many visible fruits. We wish more young people around the EAO provinces may wake up to serve the other youth and poor people: "What did you do to the last of my brothers, you did to me!" - according the theme of this VIDES Assembly.
