Sr. Lise LeRiche DW, Canada
University students invited to stand up are part of the Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) a movement active on many campuses. Around 800 students from all over Canada met at Ottawa’s Hotel Westin for the annual Congress called Rise-up, from Dec. 28 to Jan. 1st 2018. These young adults participate on campus to Catholic Bible Study groups that strengthen their faith. The Bishops of Canada acknowledge this movement founded in 1988 at University of Saskatchewan, and now present in almost 20 Canadian Universities.
University students invited to stand up are part of the Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) a movement active on many campuses. Around 800 students from all over Canada met at Ottawa’s Hotel Westin for the annual Congress called Rise-up, from Dec. 28 to Jan. 1st 2018. These young adults participate on campus to Catholic Bible Study groups that strengthen their faith. The Bishops of Canada acknowledge this movement founded in 1988 at University of Saskatchewan, and now present in almost 20 Canadian Universities.
Between conferences, songs of worship, prayers, Eucharists and workshops, students create relationships, conversations are animated and faith is consolidated. Between activities, students roam the corridors where around 20 Catholic organizations and Congregations are present with promotional stands. This year, the Daughters of Wisdom are present and visible.
Many persons stop at our table to either speak with us, ask questions or take a flyer, a candy, a bookmark or something else available on the table, including a few “Secret of Mary”, a book by Montfort. I noticed that once St. Louis-Marie de Montfort is mentioned as our Founder, interest is aroused. In general, those students who are part of the CCO are invited to take the consecration to Jesus through Mary by Montfort.
Many persons stop at our table to either speak with us, ask questions or take a flyer, a candy, a bookmark or something else available on the table, including a few “Secret of Mary”, a book by Montfort. I noticed that once St. Louis-Marie de Montfort is mentioned as our Founder, interest is aroused. In general, those students who are part of the CCO are invited to take the consecration to Jesus through Mary by Montfort.
A session for women interested to learn more about religious life was organized. Around 80 participants were present to the session along with the representatives of some Congregations. The Sisters were publicly interviewed and had to elaborate their answer in order to help the young women in their discernment. In this context, I had the privilege to give a testimony of why I chose religious life and the Congregation of the Daughters of Wisdom.
Between Christmas and New Year, who in the world would have time to live such an experience? These students do it, and we also, for the Lord calls a new generation to work for his Kingdom. They are the future parents of Catholic families, the religious of the future and the priests. They stand-up! They are today and tomorrow’s Catholics. Let us pray! May new vocations rise up in our country!
